Edward C. Merboth Sr.

Edward C. Merboth Sr., 77 of Lanark , died on Monday May 25, 2009 at Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris.

Born on Sept. 7, 1931 in Lanark, he is a son of Wayne and Ada (Guenzler) Merboth. Edward and Betty Pontnack were married on July 27, 1952 at the First Brethren Church in Lanark.

Edward farmed all of his life near Lanark, and was a member of the First Brethren Church. He loved farming, showing and riding horses, and his coon dogs.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters; Cindy Merboth of Lanark, Debbie Merboth of Lanark, Dawn Walther of Pearl City, son; Edward Merboth Jr. of Lanark, 4 grandchildren; Billy Joe (Jodi) Walther, James Merboth (Nicole Keckler), Lindsay Walther (Eric Bader), Daniel Merboth, sister; Eva (Donald) Law of Mt. Carroll, one brother; Elmer (Charlotte) Merboth of Mt. Carroll, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held on Thursday May 28, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Chapel of Peace in Freeport with Pastor E.C. Lathrop officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark. A Memorial has been established in his memory.

Irene L. Knapp

Irene Lillian Knapp, age 82, of rural Elizabeth, Illinois, died May 25, 2009 at FHN Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Illinois.  Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna, Illinois, with Reverend Lee Luebke officiating.  Burial will be in Savanna Township Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Funeral Home.  A memorial fund has been established in Irene’s memory.  Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Irene was born August 9, 1926 in Loran Township, the daughter of Ira Arthur and Anna Rosalie (Pearson) Noble.  Irene was always proud of her Irish heritage. She attended Washington Country School, Washington Township.  On April 30, 1942, Irene married Henry “Hank” Knapp in Galena, Illinois.  He passed away July 31, 2006 in Freeport. 

Irene was a talented homemaker and treasured family time. She and Hank built the homestead they lived in with their own hands. She spent much of her time baking, making noodles, canning and even churning her own butter. They enjoyed the farm life, raising cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Irene also worked at the Savanna Army Depot as a forklift operator handling ammunition during and after WWII. She also worked for the Savanna Garment Factory and Atwoods in Stockton, Illinois. Irene was a member of the Good Hope Lutheran Church, Massbach until it closed. She then began attending Christ Lutheran Church, Stockton.

Irene loved the outdoors, especially the first flowers of spring.  She enjoyed drinking a good cup of coffee in the morning while watching birds. She was an avid gardener and cared deeply for her cats.

Irene will be dearly missed by three grandsons, David (Sheila) Knapp, Bryan (Melody) Knapp and Daniel (Karen) Knapp; eight great grandchildren, Patrick (Lisa) Knapp, Monica (Will) Jordan, Andrew Knapp, Teri Knapp and Emily, Patrick, Hannah, and Kaleb Knapp; a special niece, Rose (Robert) Mielke; three great nieces, Sharon (Kelvin) Krise, Sue (Tom) Reilly and Theresa (Mark) Klenz; and two great nephews, Gary (Cindi) Mielke and Gerald Mielke.  Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Hank; son and daughter in-law, Melvin (Sandra) Knapp; three brothers, Floyd, Charles and Robert; and a sister, Evelyn.

Franklin F. Fosdick

Franklin F. Fosdick, age 76, of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, May 24, 2009 at his home.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with military rites conducted at 8:00 p.m. by the Savanna V.F.W. Post #2223, Savanna.  Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation.  Memorials may be given to the Savanna V.F.W., 409 Main Street, Savanna in Frank’s memory.  Online condolences and tributes may be given to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Frank was born on October 19, 1932, the son of Charles and Pearl (Steward) Fosdick in Savanna.  He attended Savanna area schools.  After graduation, Frank served his country in the United States Army for four years and the United States Navy for an additional sixteen years.  Frank married Lois A. Crist on November 18, 1977 in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

Frank worked as a forklift operator and a long distance truck driver for several years.  He was proud of his One Million Safe Miles Award that he received.  He was a former member of the Savanna V.F.W. and Moose Lodge.  He was also a former member of the Cordova American Legion and the Navy Fleet Reserve Association.  Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, making models, attending car shows and especially loved going to Casinos. 

Frank is survived by his wife, Lois of Savanna; two sons, Frank Fosdick and Joseph Fosdick; two sisters, Martha (Orville) Gilmore of Smackover, Arkansas and Daisy Reynolds of Everett, Washington; and two brothers, Jesse (Susan) Fosdick of Savanna, and Stanley (Carolyn) Fosdick of Argo Fay, Illinois.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Williams; and two infant siblings, Velma and Coleman Fosdick.

Helen M. Eacker

Helen M. Eacker, 92, of Lena and formerly of Fairhaven, died Wednesday May 20, 2009 at FHN Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on July 20, 1916 in Milledgeville, a daughter of John and Dora (Cheeseman) Orth. She married Freddie R. Eacker on Feb. 17, 1941 in Clinton, IA.

She and her late husband farmed near Lanark all of their married lives. She attended the Ebenezer-Salem United Church of Christ near Loran.

She is survived by one sister, Mae Martin of Freeport, two sons, Clarence (Lorena) Eacker of Lena, and Marvin (Pattie) Eacker of Thomson, one daughter, Sharon (Jerrall) Fox of Lena, one son-in-law; Fred Flickinger of Milan, IL, seven grandchildren; Robin Eacker, David (Melanie) Flickinger, Darrell Flickinger, Kathy (James) Fox-Williams, Karen (John) Gaubatz, Scott (Kelly) Eacker, and Paul (Angie) Eacker, her great-grandchildren; Wyatt and Lilah Flickinger, Matthew Eacker, and Cassidy Meinsma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on May 4, 1995, her daughter; Patricia Flickinger on June 19, 2004, and her brother, Alfred Orth.

Services will be on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark, with Pastor David Mann of the Grace Free Methodist Church in McConnell officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 Noon on Friday at the Funeral home until the time of service. A memorial has been established in her memory.

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