Obituaries Posted by Horner-Merritt Funeral Home

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

Oct 4, 2025

Fortunato Orozco, 78, of Mendota IL, passed away in his home, Saturday, October 4, 2025.  He was born October 21, 1946 in Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico the son of Manuel and Maria (Munoz) Orozco. Fortunato was known for his strong work ethic, big heart, and unwavering love for his family. A proud resident of Mendota, IL for over 40 years....

Oct 2, 2025

Melvin "Mel" J. Laboda, 83, of La Moille IL passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL.  Mel was born November 2, 1941 in Chicago, IL the son of John and Bernice (Sliwa) Loboda.  Mel proudly served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. There will be a private burial of cremated...

Sep 30, 2025

Elwood Frank Kidd, 86 of Earlville, IL passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30 while doing what he loved the most, farming his land.  Elwood was born Feb. 2, 1939 the son of Frank and Margaret (Foulk) Kidd on the family farm in Triumph, IL.  Elwood married JoAnn Ruth Rosette Dec 6th, 1958.  Elwood was preceded in death by his parents;...

Sep 29, 2025

Shannon Michael Hartley, 43, of Mendota, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Born on January 8, 1982, in Mendota IL, he was the beloved son of Mick and Barbara (Shannon) Hartley. Known to many as "Sparky," he carried his nickname as a reflection of his...

Sep 19, 2025

Annette Estelle Davis, 66, passed away Friday, September 19, 2025 in Geneva, IL surrounded by her sons. Annette was born on September 27, 1958 to Louis and Marjorie (Hampton) Maloy in Spring Valley, IL.

Annette is survived by her two sons: William (Anne) Davis of Plano, IL and Luke (Shana) Davis of La Moille, IL; brother, Tom...

Sep 5, 2025

Robert Earl Fabris, of LaMoille, Illinois (formerly of Sandwich, Illinois) passed away in his home on Friday September 5, 2025.

Robert (Bob) was born on February 15, 1943 in Sycamore, Illinois to John and Vera (Riddell) Fabris. He grew up in Creston, Illinois and graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 1961. After high school Bob enlisted...

Sep 5, 2025

Ruth Helen Wedemeyer passed away on September 5, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Mendota, IL, after a long and fulfilling life. She was 98.

Ruth was born in Milwaukee, WI, on November 15, 1926, the daughter of Ottilie and Raymond Dobberpuhl. As an only child, she developed a healthy thirst for knowledge that would drive her...

Sep 2, 2025

Michael Oran Kent passed away September 2, 2025. He was born June 16, 1954 to Oran and Shirley (Gilbreath) Kent in southern Illinois. His marriage to Deborah Myers began in 1975 and they were so blessed to have recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! He graduated from Amboy High School in 1972. From there, he went to work at...