Timothy M. Bimm

Timothy M. Bimm, age 57, of Savanna, Illinois, died Thursday, December 25 at Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Pastor Wayne Carvell from Church on a Hill will officiate. Cremation Rites will be accorded. Visitation will be held 12:00 p.m. ­ 2:00 p.m. Monday December 29, 2008 at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Tim's memory. Online Memorial Condolences and Memorial Tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com

Tim was born on October 9, 1951, the son of William and Gladys (Brock) Bimm in Pendalton, Oregon. He attended Savanna High School graduating with the class of 1969. Tim worked for Metform in Savanna, as a Secondary Operation Technician for over 29 years. Tim married Robin E. Eagle on December 9, 1991, in Mt. Carroll, Illinois.

Tim was a member of the Planetary Society. He enjoyed reading science fiction novels from his favorite authors such as Ray Bradbury, J. R. R. Tolkien, Isaac Asimov, and H. G. Wells. He also adored watching his favorite science fiction movies such as "War of the Worlds", "The Day the Earth Stood Still", and the original Star Trek series shows with his grandchildren. Tim loved to utilize his mechanical mind when building projects for his wife and home as well as the challenge of keeping his yard mole and dandelion free. Tim adored his wife and family as well as his dog Boliver, who was always there to greet him when he came home from work and relax with him at night.

Tim will be dearly missed by his wife Robin of Savanna, Illinois; two step-sons, Robert Hunter of Belvidere, Illinois, Donald Hunter of Noblesville, Indiana; two step-daughters, Tina (Dan) Atherton of Chillicothe, Illinois, Robin Hunter of Des Moines, Iowa; his grandchildren Athei, who called him, Pa; Nicholas, Brittni, Casey, Rachel, Amanda, and Blair, who called him PaPa; two brothers, Robert (Lorna) Bimm of Bettendorf, Iowa, John (June) Bimm of Thomson, Illinois; two sisters, Barbara Geisler of Fulton, Illinois, and Dena (Mike) Olson of Savanna, Illinois and many nieces and nephews.

Alvin F. Geiger

Alvin F. Geiger, 68, of Tampa, Florida and formerly of Hanover, Ilinois, died Dec. 24, 2008 after a brief illness. A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at the Hanover United Presbyterian Church, Hanover, Illinois with Pastor John R. Pearson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. ­ 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the Hanover United Presbyterian Church. A memorial service was held in Tampa on Saturday at the Concord Baptist Church with Rev. Raul Fernandez officiating. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Alvin was born November 21, 1940 in Freeport, Illinois, the son of Blanche and William (Francke). Geiger. He graduated from Hanover High School in 1958 and entered the Air Force where he served for four years.

Alvin was then employed by IBM Corporation in Rockford, Illinois and later transferred with the company to Tampa, Florida where he since made his home with his good friend, Bill Rolison. He retired from IBM in 1995 and began working at the University of South Florida campus restaurant until 2006.

Alvin served as organist at the Concord Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida and enjoyed working with activities at the church. He loved working with computers and electronics and was so talented in fixing things. He enjoyed photography always looking forward to his trips home to beautiful Jo Daviess County where he could capture the seasons. He was so close to his dogs, Gypsy, Sherry and Lucky.

Alvin is survived by his sister- in- law, Patsy Geiger of Hanover and two nieces, Suzi (Scott) Taylor of Bozeman, Montana and Molly (Jim) Ingraffia of Chicago. He has one great niece, Molly Taylor of Bozeman, Mt. And 3 great nephews, Cameron Taylor of Bozeman, Mt. and Andrew and Joseph Ingraffia of Chicago and his dog. Lucky. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Nelson, in 1998.

Loyal Siedenburg

Loyal Glenn Siedenburg, 94. rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at Carroll County Good Samaritan Center. He had been under the compassionate care of his family and FHN Hospice for just over two months.

Loyal was born on Dec. 21, 1914, to William Henry and Ida Mae (Douglas) Siedenburg at the family home near Lanark. At two years of age, his family moved to the Riley Douglas farm southeast of Savanna; when he was 13, they moved across the road to the place that would remain his home until his marriage.

His schooling began at Excelsior School in 1920 and continued at Savanna High School, where he graduated in June of 1932. He later took courses at Highland Community College in mower repair and guitar. His education led to a life-long love of reading, writing, and wrangling with words both new and old.

During his school years, Loyal pedaled milk, cream, eggs, and sweet corn to Savanna housewives with a Model T Ford, and worked with his dad and younger brother, Alvin, running the 68-acre family farm. After high school graduation, he found work at a dollar a day­sometimes making as high as $4­laying stone walls in Savanna, clearing trees for the pools for dams on the Mississippi River, or helping farmers.

Later he took a job in Rockford at a factory making airplane parts for World War II. He described many of his life experiences, including his growing-up years, in his Comin' Thru the Rye column that ran weekly in the Northwest Illinois Farmer for almost 20 years.

On Oct. 12, 1940, he married Mildred Elaine Cave at her mother's home near Leaf River. As a farmer, he was exempted from military service since food would "win the war and write the peace." They raised five children at their farm home north of Mt. Carroll in Woodland Township. After their house burned in 1958, Loyal took outside jobs to supplement farm income while Mildred taught school.

Loyal was active in the United Brethren Church all his life, beginning and ending at Center Hill United Brethren, with many years at Woodland United Brethren, both in rural Mt. Carroll. He was also a member of Farm Bureau and Home Community Education.

He lived up to his name, being loyal and faithful in every aspect of his life. Loyal's sense of humor and welcoming smile helped him make friends easily. His favorite activities included fishing, singing, and pitching horseshoes.

Loyal and Mildred recently observed their 68th anniversary at home.

Loyal was preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Siedenburg; sisters-in-law Gladys Siedenburg, Virginia Siedenburg, and Marie Cave Van Brocklin; and brother-in-law, Leo Van Brocklin.

Survivors include his wife Mildred, Mt. Carroll; children: Delight Howes and husband Dave, Wabash, Ind.; Robert Siedenburg and wife Mary, Champaign; Richard Siedenburg and wife Cathy, rural Savanna; Joy Schafer and husband Randy, Haxtun, Colo.; and Merry Epperly and husband Roger, Unionville, Mo.; grandchildren: Joseph Siedenburg and wife Heather, Urbana; Amy Hanon and husband Bruce, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Jolene Friedmann, Guttenburg, Iowa; Naomi Schafer, Roswell, N.M.; and Joshua Schafer, Greeley, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Diana and James Siedenburg, Urbana; Nate Hanon, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and Colby and Bella Friedmann, Guttenburg, Iowa; brothers Paul Siedenburg and wife Minnette, Des Moines, Iowa, and George Siedenburg and wife Marion, Savanna; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Loyal's life at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Church of God, Mt. Carroll, with Pastor Floyd West officiating. A family burial service will be held earlier at the Center Hill Cemetery. Visitation is set for 5-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made be made to FHN Hospice and to United Brethren Global Missions.Law-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Johnie A. Reusch

Johnie A. Reusch, age 84, of Elizabeth, Illinois, died Sunday, December 21, 2008, at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2008, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, with Reverend Harvey Nicholson officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 3 ­ 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 26, at the Law ­ Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Memorials may be given to a local charity of choice in Johnie's memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Johnie was born June 29, 1924, in Elizabeth, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Claire (Haring) Reusch. He was united in marriage to Lucille A. Geiger on April 19, 1951, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Derinda, Illinois. Lucille preceded him in death on July 24, 1998.

Johnie farmed at Derinda Center with Lucille on the family farm until 1975, and then did custom farming. Johnie also worked at the Eagle Ridge Resort at the Galena Territory. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Johnie enjoyed deer hunting, playing euchre, and visiting with his friends.

Johnie is survived and lovingly remembered by one son, Bill (Theresa) Reusch of Roscoe, Illinois; two grandsons, Brian and Kevin Reusch; one sister, Betty Beyer of Stockton, Illinois; and one brother ­ in ­ law, William Joseph Geiger of Hanover, Illinois.

Johnie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lucille Reusch; three brothers ­ in ­ law, Alfred Geiger, Edward McCoy, and Ray Beyer; and one sister ­ in ­ law, Marie McCoy.

Ernest "Ernie" L. Katzenberger

Ernest "Ernie" L. Katzenberger, age 95, of Mount Carroll, Illinois died Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll, with Pastor Rick Zickefoose officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 ­ 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 28, 2008 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00 ­ 11:00 a.m. prior to the Funeral Service. Memorials may be given in Ernie's memory to Mt.Carroll Senior Center, Pleasant Valley Church of God, or Mt. Carroll Church of God. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Ernie was born March 2, 1913 on the family farm in JoDaviess County, Illinois to Henry and Mary (Bucker) Katzenberger. Ernie attended Deeds School. On December 7, 1939 he married Helen M. Yockem. She passed away on May 18, 2002 in Clinton, Iowa. Ernie lived and farmed on the family farm all of his life, specializing in raising Hereford cattle.

Ernie was a lifetime member of the Church of God. Ernie enjoyed spending time visiting with people and telling stories. One of Ernie's favorite hobbies was going to auctions and purchasing antique farm tools.

Ernie will be dearly missed by his son, Gary Katzenberger of Mt. Carroll; a daughter, Linda (Russ) Handy of Warrens, Wisconsin; two grandchildren, Craig (April Libbey) Handy of Warrens and Ranae (Allen) Blaschke of Warrens; ten great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Sally Harmon of Mt. Carroll.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen; a sister, Ethel (Maynard) Gothard, and two brothers, Glen and Lloyd, and brother-in-law, Harold Yochem.

Susan M. Kennedy (Willits)

Susan M. Kennedy (Willits), 96, of Clinton, IA has passed on. She died on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at the Alverno Health Care Facility in Clinton where she has lived happily among friends for the past few years. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Prince of Peace Parish Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clinton with Father Tom Hennen celebrating. She will be buried in Calvary Hill Cemetery, Fulton, IL, beside her beloved husband Francis. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to mass at 10:00 a.m. The Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Susan Mary Willits was born on April 6 1912 in Clinton, Iowa to Clyde and Clara (Young) Willits. After high school she became a licensed beautician. She married Francis H. Kennedy on April 23, 1933 in Fulton, IL, he died on April 27, 1982. Francis was a farmer and she was a hairdresser for 60 years, owning salons in Clinton and Mt. Carroll, IL. After retiring from hairdressing, she volunteered as an after school reader and helped out at the Prince of Peace Gift Shop. Sue loved to travel. She visited far away places all over the world with her husband, and later with her friend Marvin, along with friends and family. She loved life and lived everyday to the fullest. She always appreciated her friends, family, and the good people at the Alverno who helped her enjoy life through the last years here on earth.

Survivors include one son, Henry "Hank" Kennedy of Fulton, IL; one brother, Robert "Bob" Willits of Lorida, FL, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Francis, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; Betty, Drostal, Carmen Prossor, and Ellen Benson; three brothers; Leroy Willits, Vern Willits, and Ed Willits. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorials may be made to the Alverno. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.snellzornig.com

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