Obituaries Posted by Horner-Merritt Funeral Home

Oct 16, 2023

Thomas John Lovgren, 65, of Arlington, IL., passed away October 16, 2023 with his son by his side. He was born on August 2, 1958 in Mendota to Louis and Marjean (Brown) Lovgren. He married Bonnie Sue Robinson on September 9, 1977 in LaMoille. Tom lived his life on his terms and deeply loved his wife Bonnie. Tom retired...

Sep 30, 2023

David Erwin aka Ernie, 61, of Joliet, IL. passed away peacefully at his Mother's home in Mendota, IL. September 30, 2023 surrounded by loving family members. David was born in St. Joseph, MO. on March 12, 1962 to Stanley and Carol (Johnson) Erwin. He spent his childhood and high school years in Mendota, IL and was given the nickname...

Sep 24, 2023

Sharon Kay Kellen, 81, of Sublette, IL passed away in the early morning of Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Allure of Mendota, IL. Funeral services will be Friday, September 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Compton with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 a.m....

Sep 24, 2023

Lynda S. Auchstetter, 81, of Mendota passed away September 24, 2023 at Allure of Mendota surrounded by her loved ones. Lynda was born on June 11, 1942 in Sublette to Henry and Pearl (Jones) Billings. She had one brother, Donald Billings. She married Robert Auchstetter on May 7, 1960 in Sublette. For most of her married life she tended...

Sep 21, 2023

Layla Michelle Gilyard, daughter of Patricia Sibley and Davonte Gilyard was born sleeping on September 21, 2023.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Layla is survived by her parents, 4 siblings, her maternal grandparents Roger and Jennifer Sibley and paternal grandparents Frances...

Sep 15, 2023

Brian D. Phalen, 70, of Mendota passed away Friday, September 15, 2023 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria surrounded by family. Brian suffered a heart attack in Meeker, Co., November, 2022 and continuing heart failure until his death. Graveside services will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Compton, Illinois, Saturday, September 23 at 3:30 p.m., Pastor Jeff Schlesinger...

Sep 13, 2023

Michael J. Widolff, 65, of West Brooklyn, died on Wednesday, September 13, 2023. He was born August 24, 1958 in Mendota the son of Joseph and Carol (Mann) Widolff. Michael was a farmer and worked for W.G. Leffelman and Sons for 20 years and the Illinois Department of Corrections for 20 years. He married Janet Hanson on October 2,...

Sep 13, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Shirley M. Jackson, announces her peaceful passing on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna, Illinois. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota....

Sep 10, 2023

Joan L. DeWeerth, 88, of Mendota, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2023 at Serenity Hospice in Oregon, IL. Joan was born on March 16, 1935, in Sterling, IL, to Herman H. and Lucielle I. (Lickhard) Oltman. She attended Rock Falls High School. She graduated in 1957 with a bachelor's degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. She married...

Sep 7, 2023

Ricki Lynn Lucas, 47, of California and formerly of LaMoille, passed away on September 7, 2023 in San Diego, CA. Ricki was born in Spring Valley, Illinois on January 21, 1976 to Richard "Rick" Lucas and Sheila Magnuson Rithmiller. Ricki graduated from LaMoille Community High School where she excelled in academics and was inducted into the National Honor Society....

Sep 7, 2023

Mary Zapf, 100, of Sublette passed away peacefully on September 7, 2023, at Stonecroft Village, Mendota. A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Sublette on September 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Randy J. Fronek officiating. A graveside service with interment of ashes will follow the Mass at St....

Sep 2, 2023

Geraldine (Gerry) Ann Zimmerman, 92, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2023, at the Rock River Hospice & Home, Sterling, Illinois, where she spent her final days surrounded by the love of her family. Visitation will be from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota, Illinois, with a Celebration of Life...

Aug 24, 2023

Earl W. Barnickel, Sr., 98, of West Brooklyn, passed away peacefully, August 24, 2023 in his home. Funeral services will be Monday, August 28, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Michael Slutz officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Sunday, from 2-4 p.m. in the funeral home. Earl was...

Aug 18, 2023

Elaine Rose Galloway, 91, of Mendota, went to be with the Lord on August 18, 2023 at Allure of Mendota. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,  August 26, 2023 at the Holy Cross Church in Mendota with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will follow at  Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is...

Aug 12, 2023

Harold H. Meisel, 98, of Mendota, passed away August 12, 2023 at Allure of Mendota. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Vicar Anthony Windau officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services. Harold was born July...

Aug 5, 2023

George D. Duncan, 97, of Mendota, passed away peacefully, Saturday August 5, 2022 at Allure of Mendota. Private family only services will be Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Vicar Anthony Windau officiating. Private burial will follow at Melugin Grove Cemetery, Compton with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. George...

Aug 5, 2023

Henrietta A. Klein, 82, of Mendota, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2023 at Allure of Mendota. She was born July 16, 1941, to Louis and Josephine (Stremlau) Gapski in Peru, IL. She married Eugene E. Klein on November 26, 1960, at St. Valentine Church, Peru, IL. She was a member of Holy Cross Church, Mendota, IL as well...

Jul 29, 2023

Norman Howard Fassig, 85, of Mendota, IL passed away at home July 29, 2023. He was born June 17, 1938 to Milton and Marjorie (Beiser) in West Brooklyn, IL. He met the love his life Joyce Hopkins in high school and they married October 2, 1960 at First Methodist Church, Mendota.

Norm began a sixty year career...

Jul 25, 2023

Phyllis F. Hitchins, 92, of Mendota, passed away July 25, 2023 at Allure of Mendota. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023 at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Private interment will be at Restland Cemetery. Phyllis was born November...

Jul 23, 2023

Daniel L. Randecker, 92 of Mendota, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family on July 23, 2023. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota with Vicar Anthony Windau officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., prior to services. Burial will follow the service at the...