Stephen Lloyd Howdeshell
Dec 16, 2025
Stephen “Howdy” Lloyd Howdeshell, age 44, of Mendota, Illinois passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. He was born on November 22, 1981, to Karen Babcock and the late Lloyd Howdeshell.
Stephen was a proud father, a loving son, an awesome brother, a cool uncle, and a best friend to many. Stephen was a force of...
Audra Lynn Pond
Jan 6, 2026
Audra Lynn Pond, age 56, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away on January 6, 2026, in Streator, Illinois. She was born July 26, 1969, in Mendota, Illinois, the daughter of James “Smoke” Walters and RuthAnn (Sorenson) Walters.
Audra married Daniel Lee Pond June 20, 1992 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ottawa, IL. She was preceded in death by her father, James “Smoke”...
Loretta Ann Hoffman
Jan 6, 2026
Loretta Ann Hoffman, a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026 at the age of 88, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on August 12, 1937 in Wheatfield, Indiana, Loretta was the youngest of eight children. Her father and mother were Charles and Anna Botts. Her family moved near Earlville, Illinois when she was five....
Harlan George Ehmen
Jan 5, 2026
La Moille – Harlan G. Ehmen, age 91 of La Moille passed away January 5, 2026. Harlan was born on May 8, 1934 in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Amos and Emma White Ehmen. Harlan grew up on the family farm near Polo. He graduated from Polo High School in 1952, attended Western Illinois University and later the University of...
Dustin Michael Kent
Jan 2, 2026
Dustin Michael Kent, 35, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away on January 2, 2026, in Mendota. He was born on April 2, 1990, in Mendota to Lonnie and Lannette (Chandler) Kent.
Dustin was united in marriage to Casey Mae Nance in Ottawa, on June 12, 2024.
Dustin was funny, smart, and adventurous, with a love for hiking, exploring new campsites, taking spontaneous road...
Douglas Harold Shaver
Jan 1, 2026
Douglas Harold Shaver, 70, of Amboy, IL passed away unexpectedly Thursday January 1st 2026 at his home. He was born in Mendota, IL to Glenn and Irene (Bonucchi) Shaver on August 15,1955. He was employed by Maplehurst Farms (Rochelle. IL) doing what he loved; driving a semi. He is survived by his son Chad (Jen) Johnson of Utica, IL, daughters....
Lois Jean Kettley
Dec 23, 2025
Lois Jean Kettley, 94, of Compton, IL, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Manor Court in Rochelle, IL. Lois was born July 4, 1931 in Ord, Nebraska the daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Leonard) Collins. Lois married Delos Kettley Feb. 4th, 1950. Delos passed away July 23, 2004.
Lois was a devoted Christian, a dedicated farm wife, and a loving...
Dan Sarver
Dec 11, 2025
Danny "Dan" Sarver, born on January 25, 1955 in Leland, Illinois, passed away on December 11, 2025 at the age of 70 in Mendota, IL. He was a cherished husband, having been united in marriage on September 30, 1978, to Rebecca "Becky" Schmidt in Compton, IL. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Reba (Jackson) Sarver and father-in-law Donald...
Larry Phillips
Dec 2, 2025
Larry Eugene Phillips born August 16th 1949 to William Herbert Phillips and Viola Mae Sheffield in Crump, TN. He moved to Chicago, IL as a young child, growing up Larry knew he wanted to serve his country. In 1967 he proudly enlist in the US Army serving until 1970. He was quickly promoted to Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion...
Elaine Henkel
Nov 27, 2025
Elaine Henkel, 94, of West Brooklyn passed away, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025 at Stonecroft in Mendota. Elaine was born on March 9, 1931 in Sublette, the daughter of Francis and Clara (King) Leffelman. She married Don Henkel Aug. 26, 1950. A beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She left this world surrounded by the family she...
Edmond F. Morel
Nov 24, 2025
Edmond F. Morel, age 89, of Milwaukee, WI passed away Monday, November 24, 2025 at St. Anne's Nursing Home. He was born July 27, 1936, in Sheridan, IL. Edmond was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, his parents Fred and Helen, his brother Richard and sisters-in-law Kathy and Meg Morel and brother-in-law Jim LaMar. He graduated from Sandwich...
Lucille M. Buettner
Nov 23, 2025
Lucille M. Buettner, 101, of Mendota, IL passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Stonecroft Village in Mendota. Lucille was born Nov. 6, 1924 in Sublette, IL the daughter of George and Louise (Bauer) Althaus. She married Clayton Buettner Aug. 25, 1948, in Perkins Grove Methodist Church. Lucille and Clayton moved from the farm to Mendota in 2003. She...
Makenna Saylor
Nov 15, 2025
Makenna Marie Saylor, age 25, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota. She was born on June 30, 2000 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Shawn Saylor and Erin Daul. Makenna loved being outside, whether it was fishing, camping at Woodhaven, sledding or going for walks with her grandmother. Simple...
Margaret L. Lawrence
Nov 12, 2025
Margaret L. Lawrence, 87 of 705 Pecan Tree Street, Urbana, IL 61802 died on November 12, 2025 in Champaign, IL.
Visitation will be on Friday November 21, 2025 from 10am to 11am at Horner-Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota, IL. Funeral services will follow at 11am. Internment will be at Wisner Cemetery in Ophir Township.
Mrs....
Patricia K. Birkey
Oct 27, 2025
Lady Patricia K. Birkey (Pat), 84, of LaSalle, IL, passed away on October 27, 2025, in hospice care in Peru, IL.
Pat was born on September 18th, 1941, in Rochelle, IL, to J. Willard and Doris (Braddy) Janes. She was a graduate of Mendota High School. She attended one year at Northern Illinois University before marrying Harold Birkey in 1960. After...
Gaylon H. Ehlers
Oct 17, 2025
Gaylon H. Ehlers, 92, of Ottawa and formerly of Mendota, passed away October 17, 2025 in Pleasant View, Ottawa, IL.
A private service was held October 23, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church of Clarion where Pastor James Reents officiated. Burial was in Clarion Lutheran Cemetery.
Gaylon was born on June 4, 1933 in Mendota to...
Charles R Ward
Oct 16, 2025
Charles "Chuck" R Ward JR, 64 of Mendota passed away 10/16/2025 at home with the love of his life, Marilyn Hensley by his side, along with two of his daughters Cindy and Brenda. Chuck passed away after finding out he had cancer that had spread very fast. He found out he had lung cancer on 09/23/2025. Chuck worked in...
Wayne Wilson
Oct 9, 2025
L. Wayne Wilson September 12, 1930 – October 9, 2025 Wayne Wilson, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at BlackBerry Pines in Elburn, Illinois. Born in Hanford, CA, the son of Leslie Verl and Emma LaVern Wilson. Wayne enjoyed growing up in California.
At the age of 17, Wayne joined the Navy and...
Ronald Leon Clark
Oct 9, 2025
Ronald "Ronnie" Leon Clark, 68 of Mendota, passed away Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Javon Bea Hospital—Riverside in Rockford, IL. Ronnie was born October 17, 1956 in Mendota, IL the son of Jackie and Thelma (Allen) Clark.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his father: Jackie Clark. Ronnie is survived by his mother: Thelma Ladson of Mendota,...
Debra "Debbie" Lynn Sheridan
Oct 8, 2025
Debra "Debbie" Lynn Sheridan, 66 of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Allure of Mendota. She was born Aug. 20, 1959 in Mendota, the daughter of Manford and Rose (Fitzgerald) Sheridan. Debbie was a graduate of Mendota High School, class of 1977. Over the years Debbie worked as a teachers aid for LaSalle-Peru Elementary Schools. She loved...
