Lawrence Derrer

Lawrence L. Derrer, 78, of Lanark, died December 29, 2010 at FHN Memorial Hospital.

Born September 20, 1932, he was the son of Howard and Marie Willson Derrer. He graduated in 1951 from Lanark High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. On November 7, 1958 he married Beverly Pieper. He lived and farmed all his life in Carroll County. In addition to farming he worked for Lanark Ready Mix for many years. He also served as Road Commissioner for the Cherry Grove Township. His career in the role of Santa Claus spanned more than 53 years, including this year to the delight of his family.

He served on the Lanark High School Board and was a member of the Lanark Lions Club and the Mt. Morrison Moose Lodge. He played on the Rockford Rams Semi-pro football team and collected Oliver tractors, large and small. He and his wife Beverly raised buffalo for many years and Lawrence later tried his hand at cooking many exotic foods. He enjoyed deer hunting and was an avid Chicago Bears’ fan.

He will be sadly missed by his wife Beverly and his children: Edward J. (Vicki) Meador of Rockford, Debra Swanson (David Root) of Thomson, Rodney Derrer of Thornton, CO, Susan (Michael) Armstrong of Cedarville, and Brenda (Rick) Stover of Albany.

His greatest pride and joy were his grandchildren: Heather (Josh) Wenthold, Gary (Jen) Meador, Scott and Eric Armstrong, Karissa Root, Rhett, Rae Anna, and Riley Stover, and great-grandchildren Addison and Alyvia Wenthold and Eddy Leonard Meador. He enjoyed joking with the family and friends and always said, “He would rather see a smile on your face than a tear in your eye.”

Lawrence is survived by his brothers: Wayne (Fairy) Derrer, Paul (Margene) Derrer of Rockford and his sisters Ilene Knapp of Stockton, Dorothy (Robert) Stoner of Freeport, Betty Lindstrom of Lanark, Helen Derrer of Mt. Carroll, and his sister-in-law Betty Derrer and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Glenn Derrer.

Services were held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark with Pastor Kathryn Ling of the Lanark United Methodist Church officiating. Cremation followed the service. Burial of the cremains will be in the Cherry Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established for the Lanark Fire Department.

Lillian Holbrook

Lillian A. Holbrook, 92 years old, of Lanark died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at Coventry Living Center in Sterling.

She was born on March 26, 1918 in Coleta, IL the daughter of William and Amanda (Buhrow) Paschal. Lillian married Harold Holbrook on May 7, 1960 in Polo.

She was a retired employee of Elkay Manufacturing Co. and then operated a day care out of her home.

Surviving is her loving daughter, Connie Holbrook of Lanark, who was by her bedside, her daughters Carol (Jess) Nisly of AZ, Doris (Chuck) Hughes of Sterling, and Audrey of DeKalb; two grandchildren, Chad Folkers and Tamara Nisly, four great-granddaughters, a very special nephew, Darrell (Nancy) Holbrook of Sterling, close family friends, Don, Conni and Michael Keckler of Lanark and neices and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband in 1992, two sons, Paul and Kenny, one grandson, Jeff Armstrong and her brother, Clarence Paschal.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark with Pastor Dan Rusmisel officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 1:00 p.m. on Wed. until the time of service. A memorial has been established in her memory.

Donald Richard Hodge II

Donald “Rick” Richard Hodge II, age 60 of Thomson, Illinois died Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 3, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson, Illinois. Reverend Paul Fritz of the Thomson United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 2, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. A memorial fund has been established in Rick’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com

Rick was born on January 20, 1950, the son of Donald Richard and Barbara (Lawrence) Hodge in Oelwein, Iowa. He attended Fulton High School, graduating with the Class of 1968. Rick married Kathleen A. Sheridan in 1973 and was later married to Lenna E. Spencer.

Rick was a Union Pipefitter with the Local #25 in Rock Island, Illinois, retiring in 2008. While employed as a Pipefitter, Rick taught several apprentices how to weld and become Pipefitters. He loved the outdoors, especially boating, hunting, fishing and riding his Harley Motorcycle. Rick was also a Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini Fan. Most of all, Rick loved spending time with his fiancée, Debra Johnson, family and friends.

Rick is lovingly remembered by his fiancée, Debra of Thomson; and her two children, Brandon (Randee) Johnson of Rock Falls, Illinois and Haley Johnson of Riverview; one daughter, Jessica (Jacob) Alt of Bloomington, Illinois; one son, Josh Hodge of Peoria, Illinois; two grandsons, Aidan and Asher Alt; his father, Donald Richard Hodge of Fort Madison, Iowa; two sisters, Pamela Hodge of Fort Madison and Lynne Robinson of Waterloo, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara.

Kenesaw Landis

Kenesaw Mountain Landis, 96, of Polo, died Wednesday, December 29,2010, at Polo Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Kenesaw was born February 18, 1914 in rural Dixon, the fourth child of Benjamin Fremont and Eva (Capp) Landis. He was the last living grandchild of Henry S. and Frances (Stouffer) Landis, both of whom were born in 1820, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and migrated to Sterling in 1844.

Kenesaw attended both rural and town schools in the Polo area before moving in 1928 with his parents to Rockford. He was a 1932 graduate of Rockford High School. In 1936, he married Theresa Fry of Polo. They lived in the Polo community until moving to Milledgeville in 1940, where he worked at the local Kraft plant and farmed. Theresa preceded him in death in August 1970.

While living in Milledgeville, he became a member of Masonic Lodge #345 and served as secreatry for 20 years. The couple were active participants in the Bernice Chapter of Eastern Star #412. On April 26, 1973, Kenesaw married Mary Lou (Anderson) Grace of Polo. After retiring from Kraft on August 1, 1981, he worked as a delivery man for the Polo Floral Shop. He received much enjoyment in this role.

Ken served as chairman of the board of Polo Community Credit Union for a number of years before it merged with Blackhawk Area Credit Union. He was president of the chamber of commerce for a year and served as a city alderman for eight years. Ken joined Polo United Methodist Church and served as head usher. Later, he was chairman of the board of Polo Area Senior Services and on the local historical society. In his later years, he became a real advocate for the Polo community. Ken had a keen sense of humor and enjoyed playing cards, dancing and traveling.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou; four daughters, Kay (Bill) Abner of Rock Falls, Carla (Jim) Rowe of Dallas, Jeanne Landis of Lanark and Lana (Bill) Haydary of Rockford; one son, Randy (Donna) Landis of Milledgeville; four stepchildren, Gena (Martin) Hartlieb of Rockford, Terry (Judy) Grace of Oak Park, Gloria (Rich) Osmer and Mary Beth (Timothy) Oswalt, both of Dixon; eight grandchildren; 15 stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 13 step-great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Theresa; one daughter, Arlene; two brothers, Orville and Loren and one sister, Vera (Landis) Morgan.

The funeral was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 3, 2011 at Polo Methodist Church. Burial was at Fairmont Cemetery. Visitation was at the Polo Funeral Home. Memorials have been established to Ogle County Hospice and Polo United Methodist Church. Visit www.polofamilyfuneralhome to send condolences.

Lars Charles Pedersen

Lars Charles Pedersen (aka Rick, Larry, Nerd), age 69, of Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2010, surrounded by his family following a two month battle with lung & liver cancer. Cremation rites have been accorded and a Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 8, 2010, at The Church of St. Mary in Elizabeth, with Father Noel Jacob as celebrant. Burial will follow St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given in Rick’s memory.

Cora Georgia Buckwalter

Cora Georgia “Corky” Buckwalter, 86, of Mt. Carroll, IL, died December 28, 2010 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Mt. Carroll. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 31, 2010, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Carroll with a one hour visitation prior (10:00) to the service. Pastor Elizabeth Mascal of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial of her cremains will be conducted by the family at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mt. Carroll.

Lowell Derrer Toepfer

Lowell Derrer Toepfer, age 92, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2010 at the Ossain Health and Rehabilitation Center, Ossian, Indiana. Cremation rites have been accorded and a memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2011 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Memorials may be given in Lowell’s name to the Pleasant Valley Church of God or Church of God General Conference Mission (Project Help).

Stacy R. DeNomy

Stacy R. DeNomy, age 42, of Savanna, Illinois, died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at home. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m Thursday, January 6, 2011 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Thomson, Illinois with a funeral service held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory.