Harold D. Hoskins

Harold Dean Hoskins, age 64, of Shannon, Illinois passed away on Monday, March 16, 2009.

Harold was born June 30, 1944 in Streator, Illinois. He worked for Zurlinden Brothers as a carpenter and after he moved to Lanark, Illinois worked at Elkay Manufacturing in Lanark for 34 years and was employed at Rolling Hills Progress Center, Lanark at the time of his death.

Harold is preceded in death by his father Harvey Hoskins and is survived by sons Harold Jr. (Donna) Hoskins of Mt. Morris, Illinois and Mark Hoskins of San Francisco, California; grandchildren Jodi Hoskins and Adam Hoskins, mother and step-father Bessie and Richard Zurlinden of Manville, Illinois; brothers James (Karen) Hoskins of Streator, Illinois and Rick (Linda) Zurlinden of Streator, Illinois and sisters Joyce (Mike) Flahaut of Rantoul, Illinois and Darlene (John) Connor of Wenona, Illinois.

Lena R. Barsema

Lena R. Barsema, 95, of Fulton, Illinois passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at Harbor Crest Nursing Home in Fulton. Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 24 at the Fulton Chapel of Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, also at the Fulton Chapel of Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, Illinois.

Lena was born on September 15, 1913 in Morrison, IL to Richard H. and Rika (Brilstra) Brackemyer. She was educated in rural Whiteside County grade schools. On September 26, 1962,

Lena married Cornelius Barsema in Morrison. Cornelius died on January 18, 1962. Lena then married Milton J. Barsema on August 24, 1984 in Morrison. Milton preceded Lena in death on September 6, 1984.

Lena was employed by the former Rich's Toy Factory, was a private housekeeper and also worked at Volkmann's Furniture Factory in Morrison. She was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton. Lena enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing and was a loving grandmother.

She is survived by one son, Richard K. (Joan) Barsema of Fulton; two granddaughters, Rana Sue Barsema (Steve Jones) and Christine Lynn (Fred) Reedy; three step daughters, Florence (Richard) Kreis of Beach Park, IL; Dorothy (A.L. "Bud") Wells of St. Cloud, Florida and Shirley (Kenneth) Bierman of Fulton; ten step grand children, Larry Kreis, Kevin Kreis, Merlin Kreis, Gerald Wells, Gordon Wells, Everett Barsema, David Barsema, Deborah Stelter, Lori Staggs and James J. Bierman; one brother, Richard J. Brackemyer of Morrison.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, one stepson, Vernon Barsema; one sister, Jane Vanderlaan and four brothers, Henry, Raymond, Jacob and Robert Brackemyer. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton and Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison, Illinois.

Gene A. Selman

Gene A. Selman, 66 of rural Fairhaven, died Saturday March 21, 2009 at the Franklin Grove Nursing Home.

He was born on November 20, 1942 in Galva, IL the son of Arnold and Lois (Durbin) Selman. He married Sylvia Jean "Sue" Franks on March 14, 1970 in Coleta. Gene was a truck driver since the age of 16 having hauled grain, livestock, and other products in the Milledgeville, Polo, Chadwick and surrounding area. He served in the US Army and was a veteran of the Viet Nam War. Gene enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren and family as well as collecting Ford tractors and watching NASCAR and local dirt track races.

Surviving is his wife, Sue; two daughters, Deb (Kevin) Miller of Chadwick and Diana (John) Morley of Dixon; his mother, Lois Selman of Morrison; his sister Jan Wexell of Lynn Center, IL; his brother, Ronnie (Marilyn) Selman of Milledgeville; his grandchildren: Chelsie Miller, Alyssa and Addie Morley; his step grandchildren: Kurt Miller and Susan Miller; a special sister-in-law, Audrey Selman; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; one sister Marilyn Davis and one brother Rex Selman.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday March 26, 2009 at 10 AM in the McDonald - Allen - Grennan Funeral Home in Milledgeville, IL. with the Reverend Tony Hawkins officiating. Burial will be at Fairhaven Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 5-8 PM at the funeral home in Milledgeville.

Memorials in his memory to Ogle County Hospice would be appreciated. www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com

Gladys O. Neis

Gladys O. Neis, age 98, of Lutz, Florida, formerly of Savanna, Illinois has a new residence. She was guaranteed a home in heaven when she trusted Jesus as her Savior many years ago. She moved there on March 14, 2009. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Savanna Bible Church, Savanna. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna. A memorial service is being planned in Florida at the First Baptist Church of Land O' Lakes. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being set up to sponsor an evangelistic DVD to be dubbed into the Portuguese language through Evangelical Communications of Brazil. Gifts can be sent to BEA Ministries, P.O. Box 22, Medway, OH 45341, designated for the Gladys Neis Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Gladys was born on May 28, 1910, the daughter of Melvin T. and Freda M. (Clark) Cook in Bagley, Wisconsin. She later moved with her parents to Savanna, where she graduated from the Savanna High School. Gladys married George D. Neis, Jr. on May 17, 1936 in Savanna. George passed away on June 11, 1989 in Savanna.

Gladys was active in the Oak Park Christian Church (now Savanna Bible Church) for many years. Gladys moved to Florida with her daughter Karen in 2001. Until just prior to her death, Gladys faithfully attended the First Baptist Church of Land O' Lakes. She enjoyed crafts, reading and being active in her church.

Gladys will be dearly missed by her daughter, Karen Jean Anderson and son-in-law Ken; three grandsons, Kurt (Kathy) Anderson of Elyria, Ohio, Keith (Kimberly) Anderson of Columbus, Ohio, and Kerry (Raquel) Anderson of São Paulo, Brazil; twelve great grandchildren; and one brother, Glidden Cook of Hemet, California.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, George D. Neis Jr,; and two brothers, Donald and Orville Cook.

Erma E. Hoy

Erma E. Hoy, age 75, of Thomson, Illinois, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at home surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Thomson United Methodist Church, Thomson with Pastor Paul Fritz officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Cremation rites have been accorded. Inurnment will take place in Arkansas at a later date. Memorials may be given to the Thomson United Methodist Church and Mercy Hospice in Erma's memory. Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Erma was born on February 2, 1934, in Princeton, Iowa the daughter of Raymond and Pearl (Tobey) Erling. She attended York Community High School and graduated with the Class of 1951. Erma married Hal D. Hoy on June 5, 1953 in Thomson.

Erma worked for the Van Allen Tea Room and the Clinton Garment Factory Clinton, Iowa. Erma was a homemaker who loved taking care of her family and was known for her Christmas cookie tradition. She was a member of the Thomson United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. Erma loved quilting, traveling, painting, and spending time at her second home in Arkansas. Most of all, Erma cherished the time she spent with her family.

Erma is survived by her husband Hal; five children, Vicki Zink of Sycamore, Illinois, Randi (Dee) Hoy of Bigelow, Arkansas, Mark Hoy of Clinton, Tammy Houzenga of Bettendorf, Iowa, Bonnie (Doug) Dunn of Thomson; eleven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one brother Larry (Joyce) Erling of Long Grove, Iowa; one sister, Shirley Mackin of Apache Junction, Arizona.

Erma is preceded in death by her parents.

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