Ronald Gene Iske

Ronald Gene Iske

Ronald Gene Iske, age 68 of Lanark, Illinois, died on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark with Reverend EC Lathrop officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark. Memorials may be given to the Carroll County Farm Bureau or the Ferguson Cancer Center, Freeport, Illinois in Ronald’s memory. Online condolences and tributes may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Ron was born on August 18, 1944 in Freeport, the son of Emerson and Helen (Lego) Iske. He is a Lanark High School graduate. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Ron married Gretchen Kay Carbaugh on November 13, 1965 in Mt. Carroll. They celebrated thirty years of marriage. Gretchen passed away September 25, 1995.

Ron served in the US Army from 1966 – 1969, he then also served in the Army National Guard. After serving in the army, Ron returned to the family farm where he was raised and continued the tradition of caring for the land that has been in the family for 5 generations. Ron also worked as a farm equipment salesman and provided transportation for DCFS. Ron never met a stranger because he was willing to strike up a conversation with anyone and loved to learn from and share with them. He loved collecting a variety of unusual antiques which he exhibited and like to stump people as to their purpose. Dancing, especially square dancing, was also a passion. He took many mission trips including Haiti, Argentina, Texas and Ohio. Over his lifetime, Ron has traveled to five continents, more than thirty countries and nearly every state. He saw much of Europe while in the service and enjoyed recent trips to New Zealand and China.

Ron is a life time attendee and active member of the First Brethren Church of Lanark and Way of Christ Movement. He served on the Brookville Cemetery Board and was very active in the Carroll County Farm Bureau, the Lanark American Legion, and Morrison Grand Squares.

Ron will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his son,William (Michelle) Iske of Lanark; his two daughters, Renea (Brad) Witt of Lanark and Rebecca (Dennis Hatfield) of Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, Jacob, Grant, Gage and Jett Iske and Jenessa, Hannah and Reid Witt; his mother, Helen Iske of Lanark; his sister, Joanne (Lincoln) Arnold of Freeport; his mother in-law, Francis Carbaugh of Freeport; and his special friend, Marilyn Johnson. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen; his father, Emerson; and his father in-law Max Carbaugh.

Helen Marie Rath

Helen Marie Rath, age 99 of Savanna, Illinois died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at her home in rural Savanna. Helen has given the gift of body donation. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date and burial of her cremated remains will take place in the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, rural Savanna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Salvation Army Savanna Service Extension, 11193 Dauphin Road, Savanna, Illinois 61074 in Helen’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Helen was born on November 1, 1913, the daughter of William and Bertha (Schueller) Handel in Savanna. She attended Savanna High School and graduated with the Class of 1931. Helen married Paul F. Rath on August 6, 1958 in Savanna.

Helen served as a secretary for twenty years with several companies in Chicago, Illinois. She also helped her husband, Paul with their farm for over thirty years. Helen admired nature’s beauty and loved the outdoors, especially gardening. Helen also enjoyed reading, cooking and baking. Most of all, Helen treasured spending time with her family.

Helen will be dearly missed by her husband Paul of Savanna; two daughters, Sylvia (James) Smathers of Northridge, California and Paula (Mark) Thoele of Savanna; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and one sister in-law, Violet Handel of Savanna.

Helen was preceded in death by one daughter, Barbara (Dwight) Nicol; one granddaughter, Penelope L. Nicol and two brothers, George (Vera) Handel and Edward Handel.

Velma Mae Brantner

Velma Mae McCombie Brantner, age 74 of “Riverview” Thomson, Illinois died on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 24, 2013 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson with Pastor Steve Newell officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the York Baptist Church, Thomson in Velma’s memory.

Carlos Junior Zillhart

Carlos “Cub” Junior Zillhart, age 82, of Caledonia, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Carroll, died Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at his home. A Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 25, 2013 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt.Carroll. A visitation will be held 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Cub’s memory.

Franklin L. Flynn

Franklin “Frank” L. Flynn, age 80, of Clinton, Iowa formerly of Thomson, Illinois died Monday, February 18, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at Law – Jones Funeral Home in Thomson. Cremation rites will be accorded. A visitation will be held 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Frank’s memory.