Obituaries Posted by Horner-Merritt Funeral Home

Feb 23, 2024

Kathleen M. Schaub, 90, of Earlville, passed away Friday, February 23, 2024 at Aperion Care in Spring Valley, Il.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois with Deacon Tom Dwyer officiating.

Feb 20, 2024

David Scott Erbes, aged 60, of Mendota, passed away suddenly, after a brief illness on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Il. He was employed at Sullivan's Food of Mendota in the deli department for many years. David was the son of Edward and Beverly (Williamson) Erbes, born on December 3, 1963 in...

Feb 17, 2024

Marion Lois Barnickel, 94, of West Brooklyn, passed away on February 17, 2024, surrounded by her family, at Allure of Mendota. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Michael Slutz officiating. Burial will be in Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time...

Feb 5, 2024

Neal Eugene Drummer, 87, of LaMoille, passed away Monday, February 5, 2024 in his home.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 at the First Congregational Church in LaMoille at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Paul Butler officiating. Burial will be in Greenfield Cemetery, LaMoille. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the church. Merritt...

Feb 4, 2024

Janet Kay Keefer 67, of Mark, IL, lost her battle with cancer on February 4, 2024.

She was born in Spring Valley, IL in 1956 to Daniel and Barbara (Lucas) Flanagan.

Janet graduated from Mendota High School in 1974 before attending Illinois Community College.  Janet had a great love for all things nature. She was...

Jan 27, 2024

Dennis L. Sears, 74, of Mendota, passed away January 27, 2024 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center.

Dennis was born on September 17, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Roy and Betty (Lemons) Sears.

He later moved to Illinois where he eventually met the love of his life Betty Miller and they married on December 8,...

Jan 26, 2024

Barbara A. Walzer, 87, of Mendota passed away January 26, 2024 at Liberty Village of Princeton. She was born April 6, 1936 to Charles and Cecilia (Sondgeroth) Myers in Sublette.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Mendota with Father Jeff Windy officiating. Burial...

Jan 25, 2024

In loving memory of Terry Kent Neal, born on March 16, 1944, and departed on January 25, 2024. We reflect on a full life filled with innovation, resilience, love, and an extraordinary tapestry of relationships.

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Memorials may be...

Jan 25, 2024

Lorraine (Fritts) Moore, 94, peacefully passed away in her sleep Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Allure Healthcare of Mendota after a long battle with Dementia. As her journey ended here on earth, she arrived in Heaven to her long-awaited Eternal Home and is once again reunited with the love of her life, Warren Moore, aka Smiley.

Lorraine...

Jan 17, 2024

Hugh McWhirter Jackson, age 87, of Rancho Cucamonga, California passed away January 2024 from a sudden respiratory illness and complications of Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Hugh will be interred in the Troy Grove Cemetery. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling local arrangements.

Hugh was born to Hugh and Sadie Jackson. He is survived by his wife Ann...

Jan 11, 2024

Joel David Johnson, 77, of rural Compton, was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed away from complications of Lewy Body dementia on January 11, 2024, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

Joel was born January 8, 1947 at the Harris Hospital in Mendota.  He was the son of Ray and Marie...

Jan 10, 2024

Betty Lou Croisant, 87, went home to be with the Lord on January 10, 2024.

She was born on December 10, 1936 in Berlin Township, Illinois to Perry and Marjorie (Stoughton) Husser.

For many years Betty was a seamstress and quilted for her church, St. John's Lutheran in Mendota, IL. She played the organ for...

Jan 6, 2024

Jeffrey Howard Morehead, 72, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 6, 2024.

Born on March 2, 1951, in Clinton, IA, Jeffrey was the cherished son of the late Howard and Marilyn (Bruckman) Morehead.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara, his parents, his brother James, and sister Cheryl...

Jan 4, 2024

Terry Grant Mills, 68, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2024 at his home.

Private graveside services will be held at Restland Cemetery, Mendota.

Terry was born October 28, 1955 in Mendota to Grant and Darlene (Lynch) Mills.

Terry was 1973 graduate of Mendota High School. He was most recently employed at...

Dec 29, 2023

Robin L. Hedgspeth, of LaSalle, IL, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center, Mendota, surrounded by her family.

She grew up in Mendota, IL and remained  in the Illinois Valley for her entire life.

She thrived while living in a Horizon House group home where she was with great...

Dec 19, 2023

William J. Crawford, 84 of Rochelle, passed away at his home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.

A long-time resident of Rochelle, IL., he was born June 29, 1939, in Dalton, Arkansas, the son of the late Ollie R. and Sallie B. (Culbreath) Crawford.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Johnny Crawford, Raymond Crawford...

Dec 18, 2023

Marsha Jane Hume Jones, 73, of Mendota, was at home surrounded by her family when she peacefully passed into eternal life on December 18, 2023.

Services will be held Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until time of services...

Dec 16, 2023

Gladys Vietz went to be with the Lord on December 16, 2023 at the age of 92.

Graveside services will be held Friday, December 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Dewey-Worsley Cemetery, Triumph with Father Jeff Windy officiating.

Gladys was born to Manuel and Delphina (Martinez) Jorge on March 22, 1931 in Ponce, Puerto Rico....

Dec 16, 2023

Elaine M. Swope, 92, of rural Compton, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Foulk) Kidd, born June 20, 1931 in Mendota, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023 at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will...

Dec 13, 2023

Shirley Jean Till, 96, of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at Allure of Mendota.

Private family only services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after and private burial will be held at Restland Cemetery at...