Shaw Media / ShawLocal.com • Tuesday, Oct 12, 2021
WHITESIDE NEWS
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OBITUARIES DAWSON SCOTT SCANLAN Born: June 25, 2021 in Iowa City, IA Died: October 5, 2021 in Iowa City, IA
Dawson Scott Scanlan was born June 25th, 2021 to Caleb and Laykin Scanlan in Iowa City, IA. He was born with a CDH (Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) that was diagnosed prior to his birth. Dawson spent 102 days fighting to overcome his condition with mom and dad by his side every step of the way. He received the best care possible during his time at the University of Iowa Hospitals. The doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to make sure that Dawson was
SHIRLEY A. DECKER
Born: August 13, 1935 in Morrison, IL Died: October 7, 2021 in Prophetstown, IL Shirley A. Decker, 86, of Prophetstown, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 7th at Allure of Prophetstown. Private graveside services were Monday, October 11th at Riverside Cemetery, Prophetstown, IL Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to the Prophetstown Food Pantry and Rock River Hospice. Shirley was born August 13, 1935 at Morrison Hospital, Morrison, IL to Walter and Phern (Birt) Bundy. Shirley graduated from Mt. Carroll High School, Mt. Carroll, IL. She attended college at Northern and Augustana. She married Wayne Smith on July 17, 1955. She later married Phillip Decker on October 26, 1996. Shirley spent most of her career working for the State of Illinois Department of Human
WILLIAM BALK
given the best chance at life. Our little fighter was called home to the arms of our loving Father on October 5th, 2021. Dawson came into this world with a charismatic personality. He knew what he wanted, and he made it very clear to the doctors and nurses what that was. His nurses adopted the phrase, “Dawson does what Dawson wants”. He loved tummy time and giving his caregivers the side eye while they were trying to rearrange him to make him comfortable. His favorite times were spent in the arms of mom and dad. Although Jackson only got to meet his baby brother once, he loved to see him on video chats. Dad likes to point out that he got his fighting spirit from his mom. Mom likes to point out that the nurses all tolerated dad’s lame jokes. During his short time with us, Dawson touched countless lives. He quickly stole
the hearts of the nurses and all his Facebook followers. Mom and Dad shared Dawson’s journey in the NICU through Facebook, and the outpouring of love shared back with them is something they will always treasure. They are so appreciative of the prayer warriors throughout Dawson’s life. Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Caleb and Laykin and his big brother Jackson (Erie), grandparents Scott and Leslie Miner (Erie), Pam and Keith Soltow (Prophetstown), and Marty Scanlan (Lyndon), great-grandparents Mike and Sandy Miner (Decatur), Jim and Ruth Melton (Erie), Rollie and Lori Dornbush (Erie), George and Jean Ransom (Lyndon), Peggy Scanlan (Lyndon), Don and Sandy Blanchard (Polo), and great-great-grandparents Jim and Anne Johnson (Erie). He was also loved by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Dawson was
Services in Sterling, IL. Shirley was a member of the United Methodist Church in Prophetstown. She was active within the community. She was a Lions Club member. She also volunteered and managed the Prophetstown Food Pantry. Shirley was a sports enthusiast. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan. Shirley enjoyed spending time with her family. She treasured the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren. She is survived by her children, Susan (Shawn) Foltz, Tim Smith, Mark (Melanie) Decker, and Matt (Debbie) Decker; grandchildren, Cassidy (Anton) Gryshayev, Ethan Foltz, Kammdyn and Jordan Smith, Melissa (Cory) Cooper, Matthew (Erin) Smith, Mitchell Smith, Maddie and Morgan Decker, and Tyler, Erika and Dylan Decker; and great grandchildren, Owen Cooper, Carson Smith, and Bella Gryshayev. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Phillip Decker; son, Daniel Smith; and grandson, Mark Smith. Online condolences may be sent to www. mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com
LAVERN DONALD BOELKENS
in Fulton, IL. He served in the U. S Army during the Vietnam War. On May 4, 1974 he married Lynda Cramer in Fulton. He was first employed by DuPont in Clinton before being drafted. From 1975 to 1998 he and his wife WILLIAM A. “BILL” Lynda owned and operated Fulton Recreation BALK, 74, of ThomLanes Bowling. In 1994 he built Eagle River son, IL, died Sunday, Liquor in Fulton, and operated it with the help October 3, 2021 at of his two sons until 2019. Spending time MercyOne Clinton in with his family brought Bill great joy – espeClinton, IA. cially his grandchildren. Cremation rites Survivors include his wife, Lynda; two sons, have been accorded. Brad (Barb) Balk of Davenport, IA and Robert A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, (Kristi) Balk of Morrison, IL; two grandchilOctober 9, 2021 at the Fulton Chapel of the dren, Kaitlyn Balk and Ella Balk; three sisters, Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. There was no Sharon (Terry) Braun of Fulton, IL; Marva funeral service. A memorial has been estab(Clint) Waldon of Howard City, MI and Julie lished by the family. Damhoff of Fulton, IL. He was preceded in Bill was born March 8, 1947 in Clinton, IA death by his parents. to Marvin “Mike” and Jeannette (Venhuizen) Balk. He was a graduate of Fulton High School To send online condolences go to www. bosmarenkes.com Born: March 8, 1947 in Clinton, IA Died: October 3, 2021 in Clinton, IA
preceded in death by great grandparents Patty Ransom and Larry Scanlan. Services for Dawson will be held at the River Church, 218 E. 3rd Street, Prophetstown, IL, on Saturday, October 9th. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 1:00 at the Church. A private graveside service will follow at the Erie cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the graveside service for all that want to share at the Erie Methodist Church Wesleyan Hall. Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Erie, is in care of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to CDH International (https:/cdhi.org) to support CDH research or to the Dawson Scott Scanlan Memorial Fund in care of Caleb Scanlan. Share a condolence at www. gibsonbodefh.com
Shirley, children: Carla Boelkens, Brenda (Michael) Hogan, Mark (Stacie Vickers) Born: January 8, 1935 Boelkens, and Brad (Jennifer) Boelkens. Died: October 2, 2021 Grandchildren: Colin (Katie) Hogan, Tara (Kevin) Carter, Cody (Megan) Boelkens, JessiLaVern Donald Boelkens, 86, of Elgin, went ca (Sebastian Raich) Boelkens, Sara Boelkens, into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Kyle Boelkens, and Step-Grandchildren: Jesus Christ on October 2, 2021. He was Tiffany Pinones and Danielle Lewis. born January 8, 1935 in Fulton, IL to Charles Great-Grandchildren: Silas Hogan and and Katie (Zeeryp) Boelkens. He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Miller, on June Phoenix Raich. 25, 1954. Vern received his undergraduate de- He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Bessie Mae Boelkens, Curtis gree from Central College in Pella, IA, where he excelled in football. He then went on to re- Boelkens, Marvin Boelkens, Marjorie Hartceive his graduate degree from the University man, and Gerald Boelkens. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His dedicated October 23rd, 2:00 PM in the chapel at career spanned over 38 years at Geneseo Willow Creek Community Church, South High School in Geneseo, IL and Fremd High Barrington, IL. Memorials can be made to a School in Palatine, IL. He was a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, and involved with ministry Vern was most passionate about, the Glory Center-Uganda, which he had the the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well privilege to visit in 2010. as several other school clubs and activities. To donate, you can go online at https:// In retirement, he graduated from Charis Bible College and was very involved with the crossconnecting.net/donate/ and click on “Support the Glory Center” or by mailing Men’s Ministry at Willow Creek Community a check to: The Cross Connecting NetChurch in South Barrington, IL. Throughout work, 2356 Salt Wind Way, Mount Pleasant, his life, Vern was most passionate about his SC 29466 (Please be sure to write Uganda in faith, family, sports and helping others. He the memo section of your check) All contribuwas always very interested in the activities and sports of his grandchildren and was their tions are tax deductible. Laird Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for information biggest supporter and fan. call 847-836-8770 or http://www.lairdfamilyHe is survived by his wife of 67 years, funeralservices.com
SHIRLEY STRALOW-NELSON
LORRAINE EISSENS
Shirley Stralow-Nelson, 83, of Morrison, IL, passed on October 7, 2021. Arrangements entrusted to Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, Morrison, IL. Additional information: www.bosmarenkes.com.
Lorraine Eissens, 95, of Savanna, IL, passed on 10/8/2021. Arrangements entrusted to Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, Fulton. Additional information: www.bosmarenkes.com.
