George Thomas Allen

George Thomas Allen, age 65, of Savanna, Illinois, died Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Savanna Township Cemetery, Savanna, with military rites accorded by the Savanna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post# 2223. Reverend Larry Thomson of the First United Methodist Church, Savanna will officiate. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in George's memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com

George was born on July 10, 1942 in Washington D.C., the son of Claude T. and Mary E. (Ezzelle) Allen. George served his country in the United States Army. He married Sandra L. Grummitt on September 11, 1965 in Savanna. Sandra passed away on July 31, 2002.

George served in the United States Army for twenty years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his enlistment, George served two tours in Viet Nam and also spent time in Germany. He was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was a Drill Instructor until retiring from active duty in 1980. After retirement, he was a Security Guard at the Savanna Army Depot, Savanna for over ten years. George was a lifetime member of the Savanna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post# 2223. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking, he was very handy.

George will be missed by one son, Brian Allen of Savanna; one brother, Mack Allen of Lanham, Maryland; three sisters, Marie (Paul) Peacock of Orlando, Florida, June Dearstine of Glenn Dale, Maryland, and Irene Thompson of Superior, Wisconsin; one sister in-law, Ruth (Terry) James of Savanna; and several nieces and nephews.

George is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra; two brothers, Don Allen and Gerry Carlson; and brother in-law, Bill Grummitt.

David C. Knauer

David C. Knauer, 57, of Elizabeth, IL went home to his Savior Wednesday, February 27, 2008 after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his family. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, March 1, 2008 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, with Reverend Harvey Nicholson officiating. Burial will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 ­ 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 29 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Memorials may be given in David's name. Condolences and memorial tributes may be given at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

David was born on 12/3/50 to William and Magdalene "Mac" Knauer. He graduated from Elizabeth High School, 1968 and was very proud to be a Terrapin and a River Ridge Wildcat fan. After graduating he worked for Canadian National Railroad as an Assistant Road Master. He married Kathleen S. Heller on August 14, 1976 and made their home in Elizabeth, IL.

David was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Even though he was unable to continue working for the railroad his motto was "I'm not dying with cancer, I'm living with cancer." His faith was strong in the Lord and he commented many times "the Lord will take care of me." He was a member of St Paul Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. He loved being a part of the choir and was a member of the Men's Club.

David loved spending time with his family on his property that he named "Owen's Oasis and Abigail's Acres" after his grandchildren. Many joyous hours were spent fixing up the property with them. Some of David's proudest moments were his son's graduation from Academy Training, his daughter's marriage to Christian, and the births of his two grandchildren. He treasured watching his children grow up and turn into the loving and caring parents they have become. David also loved organizing and hosting the Annual Mac Fishing Tournament for all of his family. One of David's favorite memories was going to Puerto Vallarta with his wife, children, and good friends, Rammer & Old Bag.

David was known for many things. He always had his quick quips with his sense of humor even until the end. He was a devoted, life long Chicago Cubs fan. He loved attending home games or watching them on TV with his family and friends while sitting in his favorite recliner. He was also a loyal Chicago Bears fan.

David loved playing basketball during his high school years, won many awards for his athleticism, and played two years at Highland Community College. He also played fast pitch softball for many years where he made life long friends. As the years passed by golf became his new love. He loved playing golf with his family, friends, and especially "The Legends." He also loved to attend the many railroad golf outings with his railroad buddies.

David will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathy of Elizabeth; a daughter, Keri (Christian) Daman of Crystal Lake, Illinois; a son, Kyle of Elizabeth; two grandchildren, Abigail Daman and Owen Knauer; five brothers, Dale (Penney) Knauer of Monroe, WI, Robert Knauer of Yorkville, IL, Paul (Ruth) Knauer of Elizabeth, Lyle (Jennifer) Knauer of Blue Springs, MO and Jim (Cheryl) Knauer of Elizabeth; five sisters, Janet (Wendell) Roberts of Elizabeth, Carole Busjhan of Orangeville, IL, Betty Marcure of Elizabeth, Judy (Donald) Kauffman of Winslow, IL and Mary (Joe) Ambrosia of Elizabeth. David is preceded in death by both parents.

Betty D. Beck

Betty D. Beck, age 80, of Savanna, Illinois, died Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at the Big Meadows Nursing Facility, Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Reverend Larry Thomson of the First United Methodist Church, Savanna will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2008, one hour prior to the service at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Burial will take place in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Savanna. Memorials may be given to Genesis Hospice, 611 N. 2nd Street, Clinton, Iowa, 52732 or First United Methodist Church, 2100 Chicago Ave, Savanna, Illinois, 61074 in Betty's memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Betty was born on November 3, 1927, the daughter of Alfred and Ethel (Oberman) Goetz in Bellevue, Iowa. Sherman J. Barth became Betty's step-father on November 23, 1938. Betty married Kenneth N. Beck on December 31, 1963 in Franklin Park, Illinois. Kenneth died on June 2, 2006 in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Betty was a Homemaker, who loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, gardening, camping, and was a wonderful cook. Most of all, Betty loved spending time with her family and friends.

Betty will be dearly missed by two daughters, Charlene (Paul) Mayer of Savanna and Kimberly Beck of Chicago, Illinois; one stepson, Kenneth Beck of Roselle, Illinois; four grandchildren, Paul Mayer, Paula Mayer, Rehiannon Beck, and Landon Beck; one great grandchild, Jaime Mayer; one step-brother, Raymon (Pat) Barth of Plano, Texas; four sisters-in-law, Jeanette Gnade of Maquoketa, Iowa, Maxine Goetz of Savanna, Darlene Goetz of Savanna, and Lorraine (Ralph) Stahlman of Elmhurst, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth; three brothers, Alfred, John, and Carroll Goetz.

Robert Carl Weede Sr.

Robert Carl Weede Sr., age 74, of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Finley Hospital, Dubuque, Iowa. A memorial gathering will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. Inurnment will be in the Elizabeth Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Robert's memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Robert was born on March 29, 1933 in Toronto, Iowa, the son of Lawrence A. and Hazel M. (Andresen) Weede. He attended Hanover area schools. Robert served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1955. During his enlistment he was stationed in Germany and Korea.

Robert farmed in the Savanna and Hanover area most of his life. Robert worked for the Savanna Army Depot and Albrecht Welding in Elizabeth. He also worked as a welder in the car barns for the railroad yard in Clinton, Iowa. He owned and operated Weede's Welding on Wheels, Elizabeth for a number of years. Robert enjoyed watching old war movies and westerns, his favorite actor was John Wayne. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.

Robert will be dearly missed by two sons, Robert C. (Angela) Weede Jr. of Hanover and Michael (Jackie) Weede of Hanover; a daughter, Karen (Scott) Turbiner of Madison, Alabama; six grandchildren, Amanda, Brittany, William, Jacob, Morgan and Kelly; two nieces; one nephew; two grandnephews; two grandnieces; and four great grandnephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; one sister Barbara Grabbe; a brother in-law, Richard Grabbe; and one grandnephew, Mitchell.

Beulah M. Schaible

Beulah Marie Schaible, age 91, of Hanover, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Big Meadows Nursing Home, Savanna, Illinois. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Hanover. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover, Illinois. A visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. one hour prior to service. Memorials may be given to Big Meadows Nursing Home, 1000 Longmoor, Savanna, IL 61074. On-line condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Beulah was born on October 31, 1916, the daughter of Thomas and Harriett (Straight) Bennett in Rice Twp., Illinois. She married Vernon "Piggy" M. Schaible on April 22, 1933 in Galena, Illinois. Vernon passed away on December 28, 1990.

Residing in Hanover she was active in community affairs, raising a family and being a working parent. Over the years she worked at; Atwoods in Stockton, Savanna Army Depot, Sandman's Drug Store and Henschels Grocery Store in Hanover, the Hanover Woolen Mill, and then retiring from Eaton Manufacturing at Hanover, in 1978. Beulah was an active member of the VFW auxiliary. She enjoyed dancing, reading, cooking, gardening and playing cards mostly Pinochle. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

Beulah is survived by her son and his wife, Neil and Hazel (Cooper) Schaible; three grandchildren, Deborah Schaible of Crestview, Florida; Linda Schaible of Orlando Florida, Julie O'Born, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; four great grandchildren, Eric Hood and April Hood of Ransom, Illinois, Benjamin O'Born and Rachel O'Born of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Beulah is preceded in death by her parents; Thomas and Harriett Bennett, her husband, Vernon "Piggy" M. Schaible, and an infant son, Dale Schaible in 1940.

A special thank you to Carol Unangst for all her help and assistance to Beulah and her family over the years.

Nelva H. "Dutch" Smith

Nelva H. "Dutch" Smith, 74 of Milledgeville died Wednesday February 27, 2008 at his home.

He was born on November 1, 1933 near Lanark, IL, the son of Paul Henry and Lula Mae (Kendall) Smith. Dutch served in the US Airforce from 1952 - 1956 and married Carol Sarber on May 23, 1954 in Milledgeville. He farmed in the Milledgeville area for over 20 years retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren.

Surviving is his wife, Carol; four daughters, Laura (John) Folkers of Sterling, Amanda (Larry) Siperly of Milledgeville, Perri Ann (Tom) Plog of Milledgeville and Ellen McDaniel (Jerry Lancaster) of Chadwick; four sisters, Helen Itken, Wanda Hinrichs, Eunice Hackbarth all of Sterling and Paula Schryver of Milledgeville; three brothers, Gene (Marion) Smith of Milledgeville, Donald (Anita) Smith of Eureka Springs, AR and Stan (Jane) Smith of Oregon, IL; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Neva Wiegle and one grand daughter.

Funeral services will be held on Monday March 3, 2008 at 11:00 AM in the Dutchtown Church of the Brethren in Milledgeville, with Pastor Rick Koch officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4-7:00 PM at the church. Burial with military rites will be 11:00 AM Tuesday March 4, 2008 at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling. Arrangements were completed by the McDonald-Allen-Grennan Funeral Home, Milledgeville.

In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.

Joyce M. Little

Joyce M. Little, age 63, of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, March 2, 2008, at home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday March 5, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Reverend Mike Jones of the United Methodist Church in Stockton, Illinois will officiate. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 4, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. A memorial fund has been established in Joyce's memory. Online condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Joyce was born on August 28, 1944, the daughter of Harry and Lorine (Isham) Schyvincht in Dekalb, Illinois. She was raised by her step father Charles Sipe. She attended Center Hill School in rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Joyce married William L. Little. William passed away on December 17, 1983.

Joyce enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her family. She loved going on bike rides, helping friends with there outside work, playing bingo, dancing, collecting dolls, and going for walks. Joyce showed her love for helping people by donating her hair to Locks of Love prior to her surgery. But most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Joyce will be dearly missed by her two sons, William (Malisa) Little of Savanna, Mike Little, Canada; one daughter, Brinda Spencer of Savanna; nine grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; one great granddaughter Rainessa; one great step granddaughter Alissa; five sisters, Linda (James) Southerland of Greeneville, Tennessee, MaryAnn Bray of Savanna, Donna (Bill, Sr.) Green of Massbach, Illinois, Harriet (Dan) Olson of Tower Hill, Illinois, Bernice Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, William.

Ronald E. Girot

Ronald E. Girot, age 65, of Sanger, Texas, formerly of Hanover, Illinois, passed away on February 25, 2008 at his home in Sanger, Texas. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Hanover. Pastor Lynn Matthews of the Hanover United Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover. A memorial fund has been established in Ron's memory. On-line condolences and memorial tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Ron was born on August 2, 1942, the son of Vincent J. and Margaret A. (Haas) Girot in Elizabeth, Illinois. He married Jamie L. Croffoot on August 30, 1980. Ron and Jamie lived on a farm in Sanger, Texas, where he enjoyed working with his cattle and tinkering in his workshop. Ron was especially proud of his John Deere and International Harvester tractors, which he and his friend "Yogi" fixed up and painted to look like new.

Ron was a mechanic for Ski Hi Mechanical in Fort Worth, Texas, where he also restored antique cars. In his younger years, Ron enjoyed drag racing. He owned and operated Ron Girot Building and Land Improvement in Hanover for over 10 years. While he lived in Hanover, Ron was a local police officer and later became Chief of Police. He always looked forward to coming home to Hanover and joining his family and friends for pizza at Manny's Pizza in Savanna. Ron will be dearly missed by his friends and family and his special canine buddies, Yogi, Toby, and Fugi.

Ron is survived by his wife, Jamie; a son, Paul (Debra) Girot of Elizabeth; three daughters, Rogene (Chuck) Beyer of Elizabeth, Peggy (David) Grube of Elizabeth, and Kim (Edwin) Johnson of Hanover; fourteen grandchildren; and three great grandchildren; a brother, Joseph (Rose) Girot of East Dubuque, Illinois; two sisters, Stella Holland and Lois Miller of Hanover; a special nephew, Randy Madigan of Princeton, Iowa; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Todd; one sister, Luellen Klemme; and three brothers in-law.

Comment on the Sports

Go back to Prairie Advocate Home Page