Obituaries Posted by Horner-Merritt Funeral Home

Dec 17, 2024

Norbert L. Weber, 89, of Mendota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Norbert was born on August 12, 1935, in Peterstown, Illinois, to Edmund and Loretta (Sondgeroth) Weber. On December 26, 1959, Norbert married the love of his life, Rita Krumholz, in a beautiful ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Metamora. Their love for each other...

Dec 17, 2024

Patty M. Torman, 70, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at her home. She was born June 2, 1954, in Mendota, the daughter of Cornelius and Cecelia (Funfsinn) O'Sadnick. She married Scott Torman on May 11, 1979, in Mendota.

Patty was a 1972 graduate of Mendota Township High School. In her younger years, she...

Dec 13, 2024

Kevin P. Biers, 51, of Mendota, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024. He was born February 3, 1973, in Mendota, the son of William and Yvonne (Sondgeroth) Biers. He married Stacie Chaon, daughter of Duane (Pat) Chaon and Cindy (Gene) Stephenitch, on April 6, 2002, and spent 22 years deeply in love.

Kevin is survived by his...

Dec 12, 2024

John Raymond Reeder, born on September 29, 1953, in Mendota, IL, USA, passed away on December 12, 2024 also in Mendota. John spent his life in his birthplace, Mendota, a town that he held dear to his heart. He was a dedicated truck driver by profession, a testament to his love for the open road and transportation industry. His...

Nov 27, 2024

Darlene M. Meisel, 99, of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Stonecroft Village in Mendota.  She was born April I, 1925 to Ray and Gladys (Ansteth) Rod in a country home west of Earlville, Illinois. Her parents later moved to a farm northeast of Meriden. She graduated from Four Mile Grove Grade school and Mendota High School...

Nov 23, 2024

Brian Duane Schallhorn, born on August 11, 1974, in Spring Valley, IL, USA. Passed away unexpectedly on November 23, 2024.

Surviving Brian are his 3 daughters, Katherine Schallhorn of Beaverton, MI, Rebecca and Abigail Schallhorn both of Peru, IL; 1 son, Jeramy Smith of LaSalle, IL and his father Mark (Sharon) Schallhorn of LaMoille, IL; Theresa Schallhorn...

Nov 22, 2024

Laurie Dawn Hoffman, 66 of Mendota passed away at Allure of Mendota on November 22, 2024.  She was born April 16, 1958 in Elgin, IL, to Henry and Betty (Redden) Hoffman. She is survived by her parents; 5 children: Son, Brandon Larson of Rockford, IL, daughters Stephanie Larson of Vernon Hills, IL, Christina Williamson of Washington, IL and Taylor...

Nov 14, 2024

Wanda M. Kunz, 76, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024, at AC Skylines Nursing Center in Peoria. She was born August 8, 1948, in Pekin, IL, the daughter of William E. Jr. and Lorraine A. (Vanderwater) Royse. She married Gary L. Kunz on July 31, 1971, in Pekin, IL.

Wanda graduated from Pekin High School...

Nov 14, 2024

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Edward Lewis, 92, of Mendota, IL, passed away November 14, 2024 in Mendota, IL.

Chuck was born May 20, 1932 in Rushville, IL, the son of Dana Mendel Lewis and Gladys Elizabeth Hersman Lewis. After growing up on the family farm in Hersman, IL known as Evergreen Heights, Chuck then graduated from University of...

Nov 1, 2024

Clifford Leo Schmidt, 91, and Janet Lea Schmidt, 91 both of Mendota, passed away within three days of each other.  Cliff passed away Friday, Nov. 1st and Janet passed away Sunday, Nov. 3rd both in Mendota, IL. Cliff married Janet Brunner Oct. 4, 1952 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Peterstown (Mendota) IL.  After all the...

Oct 30, 2024

Patricia Ann Donahue, 80, of Rockford, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Pat was born July 14, 1944, in Mendota, IL, the daughter of L.M. "Mike" and Alice (Guilfoyle) Donahue.

Pat attended Holy Cross Grade School in Mendota and graduated from Mendota Township High School in 1962. Later in life,...

Oct 30, 2024

Ronald Edwin Lilja, born on January 15, 1942, in Caribou Township, Minnesota the son of Nels and Olive (Oaks) Lilja, passed away on October 30, 2024 in Wausau ,WI.  He was a devoted husband to his wife, Rita Goubeaux, whom he married on June 30, 1962 in Mendota, IL. Ron was a hardworking man, dedicated to his craft as...

Oct 22, 2024

Kenneth Herbert Saylor, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024 at the age of 80. Born on December 7, 1943 in Centralia, MO to Herbert and Dorothy (Youngblood) Saylor.  Kenny served honorably in the United States Army from 1963 - 1966.  Kenny performed duties as a truck mechanic while stationed at Key West Florida...

Oct 21, 2024

Eleanor Zimmerlein, born Eleanor Olson on March 28, 1925, in rural Mendota, Illinois, was a remarkable woman who lived her life with passion, purpose, and a deep love for agriculture. Eleanor passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024, in the comfort of her home where she lived for almost 75 years. Eleanor married Wilbert William Zimmerlein June 13, 1947...

Oct 19, 2024

Kenneth Eugene Holland, born on January 11, 1959 in Mendota, IL, passed away on October 19, 2024. Kenneth spent the majority of his career at Motor Wheel as a quality control technician. Kenneth was an avid sports lover, he played football throughout his high school years and then went on to softball, golfing and a professional bowler, where he...

Oct 14, 2024

Frank G. Holbrook, 86, of Mendota, born July 25, 1938 in Amboy, Illinois to Norris and Elsie Holbrook, passed away peacefully at home on October 14, 2024. No visitation will be performed. Private family services will be done at a later date on the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation in Sells, Arizona where he will be laid for eternal rest...

Oct 3, 2024

Kenneth Andrew Arjes, 75, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at his home. He was born to Jake and Shirley (Locke) Arjes on August 18, 1949, in Mendota, IL. He married Connie Davis on August 29, 1969, at the Compton United Methodist Church.

He attended Mendota High School with the class of 1967. He was...

Sep 29, 2024

Sherril Walburn, was born on April 12, 1939, in Portland, OR, and passed away on September 29, 2024 in Peoria, IL. A long-time resident of Mendota, Sherril was a dedicated and hardworking individual who spent her career as a factory worker at Del Monte until her retirement. She was united in marriage with Dee Walburn on June 20, 1971...

Sep 28, 2024

Keith Stuart Althaus, born on 12/06/1942 in Mendota, IL, was called to his eternal home on 09/28/2024. An adventurous spirit, Keith was a man who wore many hats throughout his life. He served his country in the US Air Force in Great Falls, Montana.  Keith had several different jobs including a heavy equipment operator to a firefighter, he also...

Sep 22, 2024

Earl John Smith, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away on September 22, 2024, just shy of his 88th birthday.  Born in West Brooklyn, IL, on October 19, 1936 the son of Earl and Florence (Zinke) Smith, both of whom preceded him in death.

Earl is survived by one son: Christopher (Kimberly Brown) Smith of LaSalle, IL; three daughters:...