6 minute read
Avis M. (Landheer) Chamberlain, Deborah Breidenbach, Jim Speckman, Darrel Hook, Ruth Mills, Butch Wiersema Sr
from Whiteside-11-29-2022
by Shaw Media
AVIS M. (LANDHEER) CHAMBERLAIN
DEBORAH BREIDENBACH, 74, of Byron, IL; formerly of DeKalb, IL, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Generations at
Neighbors in Byron.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, officiated by Mr. Ken Renkes. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 30th at the funeral home. Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison. A memorial has been established to the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City, IA.
Debbie was born June 9, 1948 in Clinton, IA to H. Reid and Marian (Petersen) Nelson. She was educated in the Clinton grade schools and was a 1966 graduate of Clinton High School. She later graduated from Clinton Community College as an LPN. On October 10, 1970 Debbie married Larry Breidenbach in Clinton. She worked at several hospitals and nursing homes in the area where she touched the lives of so many over her 43 year career. She also provided in-home daycare in Morrison for many families while raising her own children. Debbie was a member of Journey Church in Clinton; her love for the Lord was infectious to all around, as she spread her love & light. She was an avid decorator and enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting and antiquing. She loved spending time with her family, especially her “favorite” grandchildren; they were the light of her life.
Survivors include her ex-husband and loving friend, Larry (Tim Michelsen) Breidenbach, of Sarasota, FL; two daughters, Amie (Scott) Oehlberg of Sarasota FL and Katie (Marlon Tillman) Nailor of DeKalb, IL; one son, Jonathan (Lynell) Breidenbach of Morrison, IL; her little dog, Bitsie Boo; six grandchildren, Zach (Gloria) Nailor, Caleb (Kayla Baum) Oehlberg, Hannah Oehlberg, Nathan Nailor, Lily Nailor, and Tegan Breidenbach; one brother, Douglas (Mary Ann) Nelson of Clinton, IA; one son-in-law, Dana Nailor of DeKalb, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She will also be missed by many who loved her and called her “Mom”.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Nathan Elwood Breidenbach; one daughter, Mollie Ann Breidenbach; one brother, Larry Nelson.
To send online condolences go to www. bosmarenkes.com
AVIS M. (LANDHEER) CHAMBERLAIN, 93, of Lyndon, IL, died Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Morrison Community Hospital in Morrison, IL. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in Prophetstown, IL, with Rev. Chelsey Weech officiating. A visitation will be held prior, from 10:00 until the time of the service at noon. Private family interment will be in the Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling, IL. In lieu of flowers the family has established memorials for First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown; Happy Tails Humane Society, Rock Falls, IL and Disabled Veterans of America. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those at the Morrison Community Hospital for the great care they provided to Avis.
Avis was born January 28, 1929 in Morrison, IL to Edward and Martha (Oltmanns) Landheer. She was educated at the Stone School in rural Whiteside County, walking 2 ½ miles each way from the farm to school. She was a 1947 graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, IL. On September 6, 1952 she married Douglas O. Chamberlain in Sterling, after he returned home from the Korean War. He passed away on December 24, 2016. Avis worked hard her entire life and enjoyed every minute of it. After graduation she worked at Lawrence Brothers and then at Northwestern Steel and Wire in Sterling. She farmed and helped milk up to fifty Holstein cows alongside her husband, Doug, and also started raising Angus cattle on the Chamberlain’s Farm – the oldest family-owned farm in Whiteside County, starting in the early 1800’s. Raising Angus cattle was the love of her life. She had her own tractor and worked in the field for many years, all while keeping house, cooking, baking and raising her children. She was the oldest living farmer in the surrounding Lyndon area. Avis made the best pies; family and friends would always request she bring them for gatherings. She enjoyed tending her garden and did a lot of canning. She stayed sharp, and even at 93 she was still keeping the books, paying the bills, and riding around on her side by side. She and Doug loved travelling, and the outdoors, sitting on the deck, watching the eagles, birds, and the trees change colors. She also liked to fish and play cards with her friends, who gave her the nick name “Avy Baby”. She loved and treasured her grand-dogs. Avis was known and loved for her kind heart and will be dearly missed.
Survivors include three children, Alan, of Lyndon, IL, Diane, of Peru, IL and Marcia of Lyndon, IL; one brother-in-law, Paul Vock of Morrison, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Douglas; two sisters, Lorna (Harold) Kreider and JoAnn Vock; two brothers, “Bud” Edward Landheer and Paul (Loraine) Landheer.
DEBORAH BREIDENBACH
Born: June 9, 1948 in Clinton, IA Died: November 23, 2022 in Byron, IL
DARREL HOOK
Darrel R. “Doc” Hook, 68, of Morrison, passed on 11/19/2022.
BUTCH WIERSEMA, SR.
Butch Wiersema, Sr., 77, of Fulton, IL, passed on November 23, 2022.
RUTH MILLS
JIM SPECKMAN
Jimmie “Jim” Otto Speckman, 88, of Port Byron, IL, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at River Crossing of Moline. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Rapids City, IL. Visitation will be from 9:30 until the start of Mass on Saturday at the Church. Burial will take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Rapids City. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Catholic Church, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Gibson – Bode Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Jim was born on April 18, 1934 in Moline, IL, to Harry and Gertrude (Pulver) Speckman. He graduated from Port Byron High School in 1952, and married Joan E. Lewis on July 9, 1955 at St. John’s Church in Rapids City. After high school he served in the United States Army and later went on to work at John Deere Harvester in the Experimental Department.
Jim was a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion and usher. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and regularly volunteered his time and talent to help others. Jim enjoyed woodworking in his free time. He had a very gentle and kind soul. Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and loved them dearly.
Jim is survived by his wife, Joan Speckman; son, Marcus Speckman; daughter, Margie Speckman; and grandson, Drew Speckman all of Port Byron; as well as a niece Bonnie Habis of Oceanside, CA. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and his wife H. Keith and Virginia Speckman; a grandson, Adam in infancy; and a niece, Karen Dippel. Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com
NEWS BRIEF
Home of Hope extends fundraising for matching grant
DIXON – Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center extended its annual Tuesday Challenge fundraiser through Dec. 15.
The Coleman Foundation will match gifts made until then.
The nonprofit’s fundraising goal is to reach $12,500, said Joan Padilla, executive director.
“Our organization realizes times are still uncertain with the pandemic and the economy, but our reality is cancer didn’t back off during the past two and half years for so many people living here
