Maria Eva Rodriguez
Mar 28, 2026
Maria Eva Rodriguez, 82, of Mendota, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, March 28, 2026. She was born in Mexico on February 18, 1944, the daughter of Jose Aurelio Rivera and Dolores Rivera (Valenzuela.)
Maria is survived by her three children, Ricky Rodriguez, Jamie (Chuck Olson) Rodriguez, and Anna (Ray) Eutis; four grandchildren, Tony and Justice Rodriguez, and Ari...
James E. Schmidt
Mar 26, 2026
James E. Schmidt, 88, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Stonecroft Village in Mendota. He was born August 13, 1937, in LaMoille, the son of Edward and Josephine (Maher) Schmidt. He married Janet Bauer on October 26, 1957.
For many years, Jim lived on a farm in LaMoille and farmed all of his life. He also worked as...
Thomas Gail Munson
Mar 22, 2026
Thomas Gail Munson, 85, of Earlville, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Stonecroft Village in Mendota. He was born January 13, 1941, in Mendota, the son of Gail and Marian (Barth) Munson.
Tom graduated from Mendota High School, class of 1959. Tom farmed all his life in LaSalle County, with a particular affinity for his goats, cows, and horses. He...
Betty Lou Wagner
Mar 14, 2026
With grateful hearts for a life richly lived, we celebrate the homegoing of Betty Lou Wagner, who entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on March 14, 2026, at the age of 100.
Born on November 3, 1925, in Athens, Illinois, Betty lived a century marked by faith, devotion, and deep love for her family. Her life began with a...
Margaret Emma Ross
Mar 3, 2026
Margaret Emma Ross, 91, of Mendota, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. She was born June 28, 1934, in Mendota, the daughter of Louis and Hilda (Eich) Larabee. She married Darwin Ross on February 9, 1958 in Compton, IL.
Margaret was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She took great pride...
Sharon Mae Funfsinn
Feb 25, 2026
Sharon Mae Funfsinn, 87, of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Allure of Mendota. She was born February 2, 1939, in LaSalle, the daughter of Joseph and Sophia (Ryba) Meuser. She married Kenneth Funfsinn on December 4, 1976.
Sharon attended Hall Township High School, LaMoille High School, and Rockford Beauty Academy. She worked at Wayside Press before entering the...
Elizabeth H. Robinson
Feb 25, 2026
Elizabeth H. Robinson, 99, of Mendota, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at her home. She was born February 23, 1927, in Mendota, the daughter of Henry and Lillian (Herman) Kerchner. She married Edmund Robinson Sr. on May 24, 1947, in Paducah, KY.
Elizabeth was known for her crocheting and cross-stitching. She made a blanket for everyone in the family. She...
Virginia Ann Joerger
Feb 24, 2026
Virginia Ann (Grivetti ) Joerger received her call to her eternal rest February 24, 2026 at her home in Oglesby Illinois. Visitation will be held at Horner-Merritt Funeral Home Mendota, Sunday, March 8th from 4:00-6:00pm with rosary recited at 3:30 pm. Monday, March 9th, a one hour visitation will begin at 10:00 am preceding Mass of Christian burial St. Bede...
Brenda Rose Peterson
Feb 18, 2026
Brenda Rose Peterson, 76, of La Salle, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home. She was born February 17, 1950, in Sandwich, Illinois, the daughter of Robert Ward Hall and Rhoda Beatrice (Williamson) Hoadley. She was first married to Denver Smith on July 6, 1968, in Mendota, Illinois. He preceded her in death on March 11, 1988. She later married Thomas...
Michael Louis Ray
Feb 5, 2026
Michael Louis Ray, 61, loving husband of Gina Lucas Ray, passed away at Prisma Health Toumey on February 5, 2026.
Michael was born in Spring Valley, IL. He was the son of Patricia Passini and the late Michael Joseph Ray. He attended Hall High School in Spring Valley and graduated in 1982. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force...
Darlene M. Gehant
Feb 2, 2026
Darlene Mary (Chaon) Gehant, 93, of West Brooklyn, Illinois, died peacefully in her home on February 2, 2026. Darlene was born in West Brooklyn on January 2, 1933, to Oliver H. and Alberta M. (Dinges) Chaon. She came from very humble beginnings, and her early childhood farmhouse lacked electricity, running water, and all modern conveniences. Darlene was the eldest of...
Richard Lee Stevenson
Jan 22, 2026
Richard L. Stevenson, age 84, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 in Bloomington IL. Richard was born January 16, 1942, in Ottawa, IL, the son of Ray and Katherine (Sibigtroth) Stevenson.
Richard was a farmer for many years in the Mendota area. He also worked at Holland & Sons in Mendota. He married Sandra Hatton on December 15,...
Stanley Wolfe
Jan 16, 2026
Stanley T. Wolfe, age 84, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Mendota.
Stanley was born on September 23, 1941, in Mendota, Illinois, the son of Carl and Eva (Neighbor) Wolfe. In his younger years, Stanley worked as a bartender at the Chatterbox, where he became well known to many in the community. Over the years, he...
Santiago Angel Hueramo
Jan 9, 2026
With broken hearts and endless love, we share the passing of our precious baby, Santiago Angel Hueramo who entered the world on December 15, 2025 and was called home on January 9, 2026. Every moment he was here was filled with warmth, gentle touches, and hearts completely devoted to him.
Santiago was deeply loved by his parents, Juliya Avila and Johnavon...
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...
