Obituaries

Massbach

Allen Wayne Randecker, 85

Allen Wayne Randecker, age 85, of Massbach, IL, passed away, surrounded by family on September 2, 2024, at Midwest Senior Care Center in Galena, IL. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Massbach. Visitation took place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., before the service. Burial followed at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Allen was born September 10, 1938 in Derinda Township, the son of William and Mildred (Endress) Randecker. He graduated from Stockton High School with the class of 1956, then enlisted In the United States Army Reserve, later that year, serving for eight years. Allen was proud of his service, and later, of his grandsons’ service to this nation; Sgt. Isaac Brucker, Army, and Petty Officer Second Class Colin Dvorak, Navy.

On July 30, 1960, Allen married Margaret Ann Farnam at Trinity Church of Freeport, IL. They would go on to raise five children and make their lives in the Massbach area.

Many of Allen’s talents involved the use of his hands, with the appropriate amount of hard work added to the equation. He was self-employed most of his life, working farming and construction jobs. He owned and operated Hillcrest Construction for decades and became the owner/real estate broker of the Century 21 Stockton office.

Allen’s productive mentality extended beyond his professional life, into his community involvement. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and taking an active role in many of the church’s affairs. He served as a Jo Daviess County Republican Committeeman and was a Who’s Who Honored Member in 1989.

Even with so many irons in the fire throughout his life, nothing got in the way of quality time and acts of love, for his family. A talented woodworker, Allen built his and Margaret’s dream family home, complete with a full wood shop in the basement. There he made grandfather clocks for his children, along with numerous wall clocks for his many grandchildren. There were almost too many wood working projects to count over the years, but his last project, hand-carved comfort crosses, will remain extra special to his family.

In his free time, Allen was always juggling projects, but two of his favorites were the completed restorations of his father’s 1938 Farmall F 20 tractor, and a Farmall 1935 F 12 tractor. His skilled work with his hands wasn’t limited to wood and machinery, as he was also blessed with a green thumb, that he put to use in his garden.

As he grew older, much of his love was directed at his grandchildren; he loved attending their games and events, and he and Margaret spent many of their winters in Arizona. There he joined Tower Point Wood Working Woodshop, serving as President, and performed mission work for Victory Lutheran Church, in Mesa, as well as participated in a Habitat for Humanity house building project. He and Margaret enjoyed their time in Arizona and made many meaningful friendships.

Allen is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret; children, Debra (Mark) Heidenreich, of Stockton, IL, Jeffrey (Sharon) Randecker, of Elizabeth; Carolyn (David) Hellyer, of Ames, IA, Kimberly (Thomas) Brucker, of Sibley, IL, and Janet (Joseph) Dvorak, of Stockton; 13 grandchildren, Timothy (Dannielle) Heidenreich, of Chadwick, IL, David (Anna) Heidenreich, of Bettendorf, IA, Jonathon Heidenreich, of Stockton, William (Jaycee) Heidenreich, of Warren, IL, Justin (Dana Groom) Randecker, of Shullsburg, WI, Ryan (Shannon) Randecker, of Elizabeth, Paul Hellyer of Ames, Jennay (Forest) Rowley, of Ames, Eli Brucker, of Sibley, IL, Isaac Brucker, of Fort Liberty, NC, Aaron (Emma Earles) Dvorak, of Dubuque, IA, Colin Dvorak, of Whidbey Island, WA, and Jared (Emily Dahlman) Dvorak, of Stockton, IL; 10 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Malia, Matthew, Gavin, Paxton, Andi, Leo, Layla, Hazel-Ann, and Otto, with another great grandson on the way; and two sisters, Ione Mueller, of Mt. Carroll, IL and Norma Randecker, of Freeport.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred; sister, Phyllis Jean (Harold) Miller; brother, Robert (Linda) Randecker; brother-in-law, Fred Mueller; nephews, Larry Miller and Randy Gelwick; sister-in-law, Barbara Jean Paul; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, LeRoy “Weed” and Miriam Farnam.

Galena

Richard W. Crandall, 79

Richard W. Crandall, 79, of Galena, Illinois, formally of Scales Mound, passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Piper City, Illinois, the son of William Crandall, Jr. and Francis Irene (Diemer) Crandall.

He attended Piper City High School and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Master of Science degree in Education. He married Terry (Bunke) Crandall on December 26, 1989 in Maui, Hawaii.

Rich cherished his many years of teaching and administrative work and found great joy in working with students. He continued to substitute teach until his final days. During the summers, he worked at Eastern Iowa Grain. Rich loved spending his time living fully, working and taking vacations with his wife, children, and grandchildren, who brought him great happiness.

Enjoying his faith and love of God, Rich was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for many years and recently a member at Lord of Love Lutheran Church and served on the council.

Rich served in the Army National Guard for 24 years and was deployed to Iraq for 17 months. He was proud of his service to his country and recently visited Washington, D. C. with the Honor Flight.

He is survived by his wife, Terry, Galena, Illinois of 34 years and their children: Heather Vallier, Jacksonville, Florida; Anessa (Larry) Ohms, Lewisville, Texas; Tony (Wendy) Gilbertson, Lena, Illinois; and Liza Crandall, Darlington, Wisconsin. He is also survived by his sister, Carole Lozen, San Antonio, Texas and his brother, Robert Crandall, Piper City, Illinois. Rich leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 14th at the Apple River Stagecoach Event Center, 446 East Hickory St., Apple River, Illinois. Visitation will start at 9 a.m.

The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff at the VA Hospital for the compassionate care they gave Rich in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to the VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.