15 minute read
Shirley Stralow-Nelson, Dawson Scott Scanlan, Judith A. DeVries, Shirley A. Decker, LaVern Donald Boelkens, Barry J. Black, William Balk, Brian ‘Stretch’ Tegeler, Lorraine Eissens, Jacob ‘Jake’ Arthur Damhoff , Pages
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 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 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 A. DECKER
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 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
WILLIAM BALK
Born: March 8, 1947 in Clinton, IA Died: October 3, 2021 in Clinton, IA
WILLIAM A. “BILL” BALK, 74, of Thomson, IL, died Sunday, October 3, 2021 at MercyOne Clinton in Clinton, IA. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. There was no funeral service. A memorial has been established by the family.
Bill was born March 8, 1947 in Clinton, IA to Marvin “Mike” and Jeannette (Venhuizen) Balk. He was a graduate of Fulton High School 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 Lynda owned and operated Fulton Recreation Lanes Bowling. In 1994 he built Eagle River Liquor in Fulton, and operated it with the help of his two sons until 2019. Spending time with his family brought Bill great joy – especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Lynda; two sons, Brad (Barb) Balk of Davenport, IA and Robert (Kristi) Balk of Morrison, IL; two grandchildren, Kaitlyn Balk and Ella Balk; three sisters, Sharon (Terry) Braun of Fulton, IL; Marva (Clint) Waldon of Howard City, MI and Julie Damhoff of Fulton, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents.
To send online condolences go to www. bosmarenkes.com
LAVERN DONALD BOELKENS
Born: January 8, 1935 Died: October 2, 2021
LaVern Donald Boelkens, 86, of Elgin, went into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 2, 2021. He was born January 8, 1935 in Fulton, IL to Charles and Katie (Zeeryp) Boelkens. He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Miller, on June 25, 1954. Vern received his undergraduate degree from Central College in Pella, IA, where he excelled in football. He then went on to receive his graduate degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His dedicated career spanned over 38 years at Geneseo High School in Geneseo, IL and Fremd High School in Palatine, IL. He was a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, and involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as several other school clubs and activities. In retirement, he graduated from Charis Bible College and was very involved with the Men’s Ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. Throughout his life, Vern was most passionate about his faith, family, sports and helping others. He was always very interested in the activities and sports of his grandchildren and was their biggest supporter and fan.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirley, children: Carla Boelkens, Brenda (Michael) Hogan, Mark (Stacie Vickers) Boelkens, and Brad (Jennifer) Boelkens.
Grandchildren: Colin (Katie) Hogan, Tara (Kevin) Carter, Cody (Megan) Boelkens, Jessica (Sebastian Raich) Boelkens, Sara Boelkens, Kyle Boelkens, and Step-Grandchildren: Tiffany Pinones and Danielle Lewis.
Great-Grandchildren: Silas Hogan and Phoenix Raich.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Bessie Mae Boelkens, Curtis Boelkens, Marvin Boelkens, Marjorie Hartman, and Gerald Boelkens.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 23rd, 2:00 PM in the chapel at Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL. Memorials can be made to a ministry Vern was most passionate about, the Glory Center-Uganda, which he had the privilege to visit in 2010.
To donate, you can go online at https:// crossconnecting.net/donate/ and click on “Support the Glory Center” or by mailing a check to: The Cross Connecting Network, 2356 Salt Wind Way, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 (Please be sure to write Uganda in the memo section of your check) All contributions are tax deductible. Laird Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements for information call 847-836-8770 or http://www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com
SHIRLEY STRALOW-NELSON
Shirley Stralow-Nelson, 83, of Morrison, IL, passed on October 7, 2021.
LORRAINE EISSENS
Lorraine Eissens, 95, of Savanna, IL, passed on 10/8/2021.
Brian “Stretch” Tegeler, 55, of Fenton, IL, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at his home surrounded by family and friends. Brian fought hard for 18 months against Glioblastoma Brain Cancer, and never lost his positive attitude or fighting spirit. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Erie. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday at the DeCap Farm, 23821 66th Ave. N., Port Byron, IL. Burial will follow in the Fenton Cemetery, Fenton, IL. There will be a luncheon following the burial. Memorials may be made to his wife and children.
Brian Eugene Tegeler was born March 12, 1966 in Morrison, Illinois, son of Kenneth and Gayle (Graham) Tegeler. He graduated from Erie High School in 1984. Brian was united in marriage to Tammy L. DeCap on September 7, 1996 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Port Byron. Brian was a member of the Laborer’s Local 727 and worked for Phoenix Corporation of the Quad Cities as the Foreman of the Shoulder Widening Crew for 17+ years.
Brian was an outdoorsman and loved to spend his time in the woods with his children and friends. He passed his passions for hunting and taking care of the land down to his two children, Delaney and Dillin. If Brian could define his best day it would be four-wheeling, sitting on the front porch, and sharing a Busch Light with his buddy’s. Brian loved people and never met a stranger. The last 18 months were hard for Brian, as he wanted to be out on the Shoulder Crew with his Phoenix work family and visiting with his countless friends.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy; children, Delaney Tegeler (Ryon Richardson) and Dillin Tegeler of Fenton; parents, Kenneth and Gayle Tegeler, Fulton, IL; brothers, Shawn Tegeler, Fulton, IL, Bret (Tracy) Tegeler, Clinton, IA, Mitchell (Jill) Tegeler, Port Byron; mother-in-law, Marjorie DeCap, Port Byron; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Matthew and Michelle DeCap, Hampton, IL, and Dale and Debra Klavon, Port Byron. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Everett and Lois Graham, Kenneth “Skinner” and Marguerite Tegeler and father-in-law, Jerry DeCap. Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com
JUDITH A. DEVRIES
Born: August 21, 1942 in Joliet, IL Died: September 4, 2021 in St. George, UT
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Judith “Judi” A. DeVries went to be with her Lord on September 4, 2021. Judi died peacefully after a long illness. Judi was born on August 21, 1942 in Joliet, Illinois, to Fred and Leola Walker. Judi married Harold “Butch” DeVries of Morrison, Illinois on September 16, 1966. She attended Forreston High School, was a member of the graduating class of 1961, and graduated from Wisconsin State University in Platteville with a degree in Elementary Education.
Judi is survived by her husband Harold DeVries of St. George, UT, son, Jim DeVries of Golden Valley, Minnesota and brother, Jim Walker of Sarasota, Florida.
Judi was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Leola Walker, brother, Robert Walker and sister, Francis Cook.
The family would like to thank the staff of Dixie Rehab and Hospice for their loving care for Judi over the last several months of her life.
Judi’s Celebration of Life will be held at on a date to be determined. Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, Illinois. Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerentyStG.com.
Judi began her teaching career in Sterling, IL at Wallace School. She also taught in Oshkosh, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI before moving with Butch to Minnesota, first to Sauk Centre and then, for many years, in Alexandria, MN. During all her life prior to moving to St. George, UT, she often taught Sunday School and Bible School and sometimes served as Superintendent of those programs in churches she attended. She and Butch were members of New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George at her death.
Throughout her life Judi had empathy and love for the less fortunate and especially underprivileged children, and that was often the focus of her teaching and outreach. She also had a heart for those with alcohol addiction and mentored many younger women with alcohol or drug addictions. She was instrumental in establishing Celebrate Recovery in their home church in Alexandria, MN. Butch and Judi celebrated her 39 years of recovery and sobriety on May 23, 2021.
NEWS BRIEF
Harvest Day event to take place Saturday in Prophetstown
If you enjoy pumpkins, crisp leaves and all things fall, you’ll want to attend
Died: October 5, 2021
Barry J. Black, age 70, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 5th, at his home in Lake Barrington, IL. Barry was born and raised in Independence, the son of Buryl J. and Elizabeth (Bette) Black. He graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1969. At an early age, Barry began practicing and honing his skills as an athlete, excelling in basketball, football, baseball and track. He still holds many school records and was recently inducted into the Independence Sports Hall of Fame. After high school, Barry attended Upper Iowa University where he also was a running back and middle linebacker on the Peacock football team. He then taught and coached football for a year in the Messervy-Thornton Schools. Barry joined his brother Bob at Super Wash, Inc., where he headed up the construction department and helped build and oversaw the construction of 743 Super Wash Car Washes in 28 states. Barry also served as a Vice President of the company. During those years, he also excelled as a tournament golfer. In September of 2014 on the shores of Lake Barrington, Barry married Maggie, the gift of God to his life. Together they made a great team. Barry loved Maggie and Maggie loved Barry. Because Barry loved God, he loved people. Relationships with family and friends were very important to him.
Barry is survived by his wife, Maggie and her children, Kristin and Jason Trevino, parents of Chloe, Tyler and Katie, Melissa and Kalen Fredette, parents of Aidan and Isla, and Brian and Gillian Gruber, parents of Felix and Murphy. He is also survived by his brothers Bill (Nancy) of Oelwein and Bob (Mary) of Morrison, IL as well as his nephews Chris and Josh, and nieces Jennifer, Susan, Sarah and Anna. Also surviving him is his Aunt Marjorie of Branson, MO. He is also survived by three special people: Ben, Isaac and Eli Gogg. He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and several aunts and uncles.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 15th, at 11:00 at the Cornerstone Foursquare Church, 707-20th St, SW in Independence. Memorials can be sent to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Mississippi Valley where Barry volunteered his time. Memorial may be sent to: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Mississippi Valley, 3247 East 35th St. Court, Davenport, IA, 52807 or donate online at bbbsmv.org.
JACOB “JAKE” ARTHUR DAMHOFF
Jacob “Jake” A. Damhoff, 92, of Erie, IL, died Sunday, October 3, 2021 at home surrounded by family. Services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Erie. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 pm Wednesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL. Memorials may be made to Newton Zion Reformed Church or Compassus Hospice Care.
Jacob Arthur was born November 10, 1928 in Fulton, IL, the son of John and Fannie (Renkes) Damhoff. He married Arlene Van Oosten on October 21, 1957 at Newton Zion Reformed Church, rural Erie. In their early years, Jake farmed, eventually giving up farming full time to work for John Deere Implements in Lyndon, Fulton and Hillsdale, Illinois. He always remained a farmer at heart. Jake was a longtime member of Newton Zion Reformed Church. He loved his church and the Lord and his family meant everything to him. He was passionate about reading his bible and spending every morning doing daily devotions with Arlene. In his spare time he enjoyed woodworking, making many pieces of furniture for his family. Some other hobbies included working puzzles and crosswords.
Jake is survived by his wife, Arlene; daughters, Diane (Breck) Dykema, Morrison, Linda (Gene) Wancket, Erie, Sharon (Bob) James, Geneseo, Karen (Kevin) Bos, Geneseo, Debra (Mark) Schmitt, Sterling; grandchildren, Rebecca Dykema, Andrea (Tom) Walsh, Amber (Curt) Boelens, Aaron Bos, Heather (Chris) Miller, Chris (Niki) James, Madison Schmitt; great grandchildren, Joe Walsh, Abigail Walsh, Jade Boelens, Sawyer Boelens, Alicia James; sisters, Nelta Jean Gerlach, Morrison, Joan (Art) Weaver, Morrison; and sister-in-law, Frances Damhoff, Morrison. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gilbert Damhoff; and sisters, Arlene Bush and Ruth Storie. Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com
Prophetstown Proud’s Harvest Day on Saturday, Oct. 16.
The one-day event features arts and crafts, vendors, food and kids’ activities. Local businesses will be offering specials, sales and activities.
Activities will be at the Eclipse Square and on Main Street.
Come out and enjoy the day with family and friends.
The Fall Garage Sales will be Oct. 15-17 throughout town. Maps will be available at local businesses. This is a fun weekend for browsers and bargain shoppers.
