Freeman W. Graham, Frank J. Vandermyde, Dorothy Venhuizen, Donald Lee Shuman

FAR LEFT: Vintage cars, hot rods and even a couple of dragsters were on display at Kunes Chevrolet Dodge Jeep RAM of Morrison on Saturday, Oct. 22, for Mark Schuler’s benefit. LEFT: Claire Weets, Paisley VanZuiden and Jovie Patton, all of Morrison, volunteered for face-painting at Mark Schuler’s fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 22.

Photos by Sarah Ford for Shaw Media

OBITUARIES

FREEMAN W. GRAHAM

Born: January 12, 1944 Died: September 30, 2022 Freeman William Graham (Rubin), age 78 of Henry, IL, passed away Friday, September 30th at Richard L. Owens Hospice House in Peoria, IL. Born on January 12, 1944 in Fulton, IL, to the late Ronald and Betty (Stuttler) Graham, he married Connie Knutsen and had four children. He was later married to Judy Catton in 1995, until her passing on June 13, 2013. Freeman worked for Bill Carswell Automotive and Drives drive chain factory in Fulton and Allied Steel in Clinton, IA before spending 34 years as a welder for Caterpillar in Mossville, IL. He enjoyed dancing in his younger days, playing the scratch off tickets, watching “Wheel of Fortune,” listening to classic country, playing horseshoes and having cookouts with his family. We would always hear him say: “There’s nothing on TV I wanna watch so I’ll just listen to my radio and I’ll be happy. “ He enjoyed westerns, especially starring John Wayne. He was a huge collector of Coca Cola, John Wayne and Jack Daniel’s memorabilia. He was a great father to 4 children: Ginny (Mark) Scott of Clinton, IA, Les (Cindy) Graham of Varna, IL, Karen Graham of Clinton, IA, and Dan Graham of Fulton, IL; siblings George (Mary) Graham of Albany IL, Ronnie (Kay) Graham of Rock Island, Valerie Graham of Fulton IL, Mary (Mark) Whitney of Albany IL, Gloria (Al) Wiebenga of Fulton IL, Alice (Dave) Roman of Fulton; 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Jerry, Roger, Donald, Howard, sister Violet, great grandson Noah. Visitation was held Wednesday, October 5th from 5-7 pm at Lenz Memorial Home in Lacon. Private family burial will be beside his wife Judy at a later date. Memorials can be made to the ARK animal Shelter and online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com

FRANK J. VANDERMYDE

Born: October 7, 1935 in Sterling, IL Died: October 21, 2022 in Sterling, IL FRANK J. VANDERMYDE, 87, of Morrison, IL, died Friday, October 21, 2022, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Emmanuel Church in Morrison, IL, with Rich Criss officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, October 28, 2022, at The Fireside Room at Emmanuel Church. Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison. A memorial has been established to Emmanuel Church Mission Fund. Frank was born October 7, 1935, in Sterling, IL, to Benjamin and Alene (Ardapple) Vandermyde. He was educated in the Morrison grade schools and was graduate of Morrison High School. He later majored in Chemistry at Central College in Pella, IA, and received a Bachelor’s degree. He served in the United States Army. Frank married Doris A. Brondyke on July 6, 1956, in Fulton, IL. He was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of Emmanuel Church in Morrison and was also a member of Kiwanis. He enjoyed playing Rolle Bolle with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife, Doris; four sons, Dave (Pat) Vandermyde, Cal (Kim) Vandermyde, Ron (Darla) Vandermyde and Stan Vandermyde all of Morrison; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Doug (Clarita) Vandermyde and Dan (Nancy) Vandermyde both of Morrison; one step-sister, Charlotte Fylstra of Hinsdale, IL; one step-brother, John (Judie) Buis of Flushing, MI. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alene; father, Benjamin; step-mother, Hilda; one step brother-in-law, Ray Fylstra. To send online condolences go to www. bosmarenkes.com.

NEWS BRIEFS

Spots open for Revitalize Erie’s Sports Trivia Night

Spots are still open for Revitalize Erie’s Sports Trivia Night at the Lake Erie Country Club from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4. The winning team will get a $200 cash prize! Teams of eight can call 309-7380209 to sign up.

Pumpkin Dash and Health Walk in Erie on Saturday

A Pumpkin Dash 5K and Health Walk will be Saturday, Oct. 29, starting at 8 a.m. in downtown Erie. A $20 participation fee will get you a Pumpkin Dash shirt, gift bag

DOROTHY VENHUIZEN

Born: November 12, 1930 in Chicago, IL Died: June 1, 2022 in Sterling, IL DOROTHY VENHUIZEN, 91, of Morrison, IL, died Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 29, 2022 at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL, with Ken Renkes officiating. The Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established. Dorothy was born November 12, 1930, in Chicago, IL, to Peter and Ella (Buikema) VanDyke. She was educated in the Morrison Grade Schools and was a graduate of Morrison High School. She married Frederick T. Venhuizen on May 14, 1952, in Morrison, IL. He died February 15, 1997. Dorothy was employed at General Electric and Climco Coils in Morrison, IL. She was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison. Dorothy enjoyed fishing with her husband, Fred. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and school activities. She cherished spending time with her family, especially their annual fishing trip to Mogasheen, WI. She loved to travel, spending winters at Anna Marie Island, FL, where she loved to spend time at Disney World. Survivors include one daughter, Marsha (Jesse) Habben of Morrison; two sons, Mark (Melinda) Venhuizen of Ellerbe, NC and Gary (Penny) Venhuizen of Mercer, WI; five grandchildren, Stacey (Leo) Pins, Kelly (Josh) Albrecht, Jennifer Venhuizen, Ashley Vanhuizen, Kristina (Toby) Espinoza; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Debbie (Allen) Huizenga of Morrison. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred; one grandson, Corey J. Ottens; three sisters, June Melsness, Phyllis Meiners and Mary Boswell; one brother, Bob VanDyke. To send online condolences go to www. bosmarenkes.com.

DONALD LEE SHUMAN

Donald Lee Shuman, 81, of Prophetstown, IL, passed on 10/20/2022. Arrangements entrusted to Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home, Prophetstown, IL. Additional information: www.bosmagibson.com. and delicious treats at the finish line!

This event is being sponsored by Erie native and Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Whitney Misfeldt.

All funds raised at the event go toward supporting Revitalize Erie community projects.

EHS Student Council blood drive set for Nov. 2

The Erie High School Student Council is sponsoring a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the high school gym.

Appointments are required and masks are optional. To schedule an appointment, call Mrs. Melton at 309-659-2239.