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Clara Helen Eissens, Peggy Franks, Joan Kelly, Wanda Larson, Ardith Maxine Miller Bennett, Becky VanDeWostine, Richard ‘Rick’ Wright, Joyce A. Schaver-Fowler
Born: September 1, 1938 in La Salle, IL Died: September 24, 2021 in Mt. Morris, IL
CLARA HELEN EISSENS, 90, of Kenosha, WI, formerly of Fulton, IL, died Sunday September, 26, 2021 at her home in Kenosha. Funeral services for Clara were held at 12:00 noon on Monday, October 4, 2021 at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Stephan, Pastor of CrossView Church in Fulton officiating. Interment was in Fulton Township Cemetery. A memorial has been established by the family.
Clara was born October 18, 1930 in Wilmington, NC to James H. and Nellie (Risen) Taylor. She was educated in the Wilmington grade schools, and graduated from New Hanover High School and also nursing school, both in Wilmington. She married Jay Eissens on August 15, 1953 in Conway, SC. He died on August 24, 1990. Clara was a homemaker. She was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Fulton, and later attended Second Reformed – now CrossView - Church in Fulton. Currently she was a member of Pleasant Prairie Baptist Church in Pleasant Prairie, WI. Clara was a devoted Bible student and loved attending Bible studies and singing hymns.
Survivors include three daughters, Linda (Brad) McCrorey of Homer Glen, IL, Marlene June Eissens of Kenosha, WI and Ruth (Andy) Buehler of Pleasant Prairie, WI; one son, Johnny (Michele) Eissens of Fulton, IL; ten grandchildren, Elizabeth, Amy, Sarah, Jay, Charles, Isaac, Katie, Evan, Isabelle and Breanna; five great grandchildren, Claire, Emily, Anna, Luke and Jake; sister-in-law and lifelong friend, Annette Eissens of Whiteville, NC; special friend, Janice Steinacker, and many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay; a sister, June Northrup; four brothers, John, Henry, Snow and Charles Taylor.
Joan D. Kelly, 83, died Friday September 24, 2021 at Resthave Home in Morrison. Joan was born on September 1, 1938 in La Salle, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Dorothy (Wennmacher) Neidetcher. She graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Kewanee as a Registered Nurse. Joan married thel ove of her life Gerald (Jerry) A. Kelly on February 23, 1963 in Sterling. He died July 17, 2007. She served the community faithfully and lovingly for ove r40 years as a Registered Nurse at Winning Wheels Rehab Center in Prophetstown, IL and CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL. Joan was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and enjoyed gardening, reading, and especially sewing. She sewed many, many garments for her children’s everyday lives, special occasions, and a number of quilts for her grandchildren. She was an avid fan of Notre Dame football and Newman High School football. She could often be found sitting on the track with Jerry and other family members at every home game, cheering on the Comets! She was proud to be Irish and carried the Kelly name well. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. At Kelly family gatherings, Joan was always at the center keeping everyone together.
Joan will be deeply missed and forever held in the high estesteem by her family.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks for the compassionate and loving care she received from the staff at Resthave Home over the final years of her life.
Surviving are her children: Jerri (Dean) Harrison of Dixon, Jon (Debra) Kelly of Dubuque, IA, Jeanine (Robert) Cain of Lyndon, Jo (Vernon) Phillips of Davenport, IA and Josh (Barbara) Kelly of Ormond Beach, FL; her brother, Donald (Becky) Neidetcher of Cumberland Foreside, ME; Grandchildren: Dylan, Taylor, Jakob, Grey, Quinn and Maura Harrison, Colin, Ian, Finnian, Delaney and Aidan Kelly, Emma, Audrey and Margaret Cain, Cleah Phillips, Josh Jr. and Brogan Kelly. Great-grandchildren Jackson Cain, Dominic, Orion, Delilah, and Iris Harrison, Ruby and Reeva Harrison, Oak, Rowan, Olive and Bonsai Harrison.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Ken and John Neidetcher, her granddaughters Lauren Kelly, Peyton Kelly and great-grandson Augustine Harrison.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday September 28, 2021 from 11 – 12 “noon” at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 “noon.” Burial will conclude at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling. Arrangements entrusted to by McDonald Funeral Homes
Memorials may be made in her memory to Newman Central Catholic High School.
CLARA HELEN EISSENS
Born: October 18, 1930 in Wilmington, NC Died: September 26, 2021 in Pleasant Prairie, WI
ARDITH MAXINE MILLER BENNETT
Born: July 3, 1922 in White, SD Died: September 26, 2021 in Simpsonville, SC
Ardith Maxine Miller Bennett, 99, of Simpsonville, SC, formerly of Erie, IL, died Sunday, September 26, 2021 at The Springs Assisted Living in Simpsonville, SC. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Erie Cemetery, Erie, IL. Memorials may be made to the Erie United Methodist Church, 811 8th St., Erie, IL 61250. Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Erie, is assisting with arrangements.
Maxine was born to John Delaney Miller and Nellie Mae Richards Miller in White, South Dakota on July 3, 1922. She moved with her family to Illinois and attended schools in Erie, graduating from Erie High School in 1940. She married John Leroy Bennett of Morrison, IL on October 5, 1941, and she and her husband farmed for 40 years in the rural Erie area until their retirement.
Maxine and John were long time members of the Erie United Methodist Church where Maxine served on many committees and was a Sunday School Teacher. The couple were charter members of the Lake Erie Country Club, and Maxine was a member of the Morrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Bennett Hunt and husband, Charles; five grandsons, David Hunt and wife, Nancy, Todd Jensen, John Hunt and wife, Trisha, Brandon Jensen, and Jason Hunt and wife, Laura; and 11 great grandchildren.
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John; one daughter, Diane; and three sisters, Velma Kellogg, Ethelyn Wessel, and Marian Schaeffer. Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com
RICHARD “RICK” WRIGHT
Born: April 18, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA Died: September 28, 2021 in Clinton, IA
RICHARD “RICK” SHAW WRIGHT, 78, of Fulton, IL, died Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at MercyOne in Clinton, IA. Cremation rites will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, IL, with Rev. Kevin VerHoeven officiating. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8th at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. Memorials to Unity Christian School Building Fund, Bethel Christian Reformed Church, and the Watoto Children’s Choir have been established.
Rick was born April 18, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA to Harold L. and Margaret Louise (Shaw) Wright. He was a graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School in Mt. Lebanon, PA, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Sterling College in Sterling KS. On December 21, 1968 he married
WANDA LARSON
Born: August 19, 1938 in Moline, IL Died: September 30, 2021 in Silvis, IL
Wanda Jean Larson, 83, of Port Byron, Illinois, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021 at New Perspective Senior Living Center, in Silvis, Illinois. Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Gibson-Bode Funeral Home in Port Byron. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Fairfield Cemetery, Port Byron. Masks will be required to attend. Memorials may be made to the Riverdale Education Foundation.
Wanda was born on August 19, 1938 in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of Cyriel and Barbara Youmans in Fulton. Rick taught social studies at Unity Christian Schools in Fulton, and also German in the New Holland Christian School in South Dakota. He drove a school bus for the Riverbend School District and worked as a supervisor at ADM in Clinton, IA for many years. He also spent many years working as a supervisor at Quantum, and working as a car salesman. He was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Fulton. Rick loved cars, driving, and model railroading. His favorite job was driving a tour bus for the Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda.
Survivors include his wife, Barb; three sons, Daniel (Tonya) Wright of Champaign, IL, William (Njeri) Wright of Naples, FL and David (Shannon) Wright of Clinton, IA; six grandchildren, CariLynn Wright, Jacob Wright, Jonas Wright, Bridget Wright, Daphne Wright, and Malcolm Wright; one sister, Amy (John) Miller of Washington, PA; one brother, William (Rue) Wright of Boerne, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Angelique Wright and Juliana Wright; one sister, Leslie Gregory.
Martha (Hougas) DeCap. She graduated from Port Byron High School in 1956. Wanda married Wayne Larson on October 16, 1965 in Port Byron, IL. Prior to her marriage she worked at the Rock Island County Treasurer’s office, and later as the Port Byron village clerk.
Wanda enjoyed spending time with her family. She had a beautiful view of the Mississippi River from her home and absolutely loved to just sit and watch the river go by.
Wanda is survived by her children, Karen (Mark) Searl, Port Byron, IL, Mark Larson, Hampton, IL; grandson John Searl, Port Byron; sisters, Dorothy Holst, Rose Mary (David) Tournear, Daniel (Kathy) DeCap; as well as several nieces and nephews. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne, and a brother-in-law, Wayne Holst. Share a memory or condolence at www. gibsonbodefh.com
Photo provided Freshmen from Rock Falls, Newman, Prophetstown, Morrison and Fulton high schools participate in a B.L.I.N.D. retreat Sept. 23 at Westwood in Sterling. Students participated in team building as well as relationship building activities. Students were encouraged to think about the people in their lives and the choices they make. The challenge for each student was to become a change agent in their community, not only on the day of the retreat, but every day that follows.
R esthave celebrating 60 years w ith a drive-thr u meal Oct. 14
Resthave Care & Rehabilitation, 408 Maple Ave., Morrison, will be celebrating 60 years of serving the community with a drive-thru meal.
Resthave also will be recognizing Jill Smith, who received the Illinois Health Care Association 2021 Administrator of the Year award.
The community is invited to a free drive-thru meal from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14.
Deli sandwiches, pasta and cheesecake will be served.
Each vehicle also will receive a commemorative gift as a token of appreciation.
American Red Cross seeks blood donations
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month for the blood supply to recover and meet hospital and patient needs.
Donors of all blood types – especially type O –and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to overcome this shortage.
There will be blood drives from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Oct. 11 at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District 3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Morrison Institute of Technology, 701 Portland in Morrison.
Applications being accepted for trapping drawing
Applications are now being accepted for the annual trapping drawing for Morrison-Rockwood State Park and Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area.
The drawing will be held Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Morrison Rockwood State Park office. Applicants need not be present at the time of the drawing. Winning applicants will be notified after the drawing is completed. Park regulations and statewide regulations apply.
For further information please contact the park office at 815-772-4708.
