Marion William Shearer

Marion William (Bill) Shearer, 89, of Lanark, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Bill was born on October 25, 1922, the son of Fred and Isabel (Allen) Shearer in Collins, Iowa. When Bill was five, his family moved to Chicago, where they lived until moving Tama, Iowa in 1940, where he graduated from Tama High School in 1941.

Bill started college at Chicago Technical College in the fall of 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army at the start of WWII. He enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), where, combined with basic military training, he continued college, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of San Francisco in January of 1944.

After graduation he saw active service in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the Tenth Army, 27th infantry Division at Siapan and Okinawa as a Patrol Squad Leader. Discharged from active service in January of 1946, he was transferred to the Army Reserves and in 1947 transferred to the Air Force Reserves, being fully discharged from military service in July, 1951.

Returning home to Nevada, Iowa, where his parents now lived, he met and married Helen Jane Thompson of Des Moines, Iowa. To this marriage, four children were born, three sons, Stephen Allen, Bradley James, Scott Craig, and a daughter, Rebecca (Becky) Lynne.

Bill continued his education at the Kansas City School of Watchmaking, graduating in 1949. Upon graduating, he worked for a jeweler in Mounds, Il. and started his own jewelry store in Lanark in July. 1951.

During his years in Lanark, Bill served on the City Council for 10 years, The Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Commercial Club) and was a charter member of Lanark Lions Club. When the Green Giant Company left Lanark in the 1960’s, Bill was a key member of the committee to bring Eaton Corporation to Lanark. While maintaining the jewelry store,, he went to work for Eaton (later Elkay Mfg. Co.)as Industrial Relations Manager and held that position for 21 years, until retiring in 1990.

In 1992 he married Dorothy (Straub) Hubbard. They operated Shearer’s Variety and Gifts until July of 2004, retiring after 53 years on Main Street. Upon his retirement, the Chamber of Commerce made Bill a “lifetime member.” In August of 2004, Bill and Dorothy decided they wanted to do volunteer work and chose Freeport Memorial Hospital, FHN, in Freeport. They enjoyed this work immensely and worked at various jobs as needed. Bill always said “

it was the best job I ever had, and never got paid a cent.”

Bill is survived by his wife of 20 years, Dorothy, and four children, Stephen (Judi) Shearer, Eagle, WI, Brad (Gabriela) Shearer, Westfield, IN, Scott( Celina) Shearer, Layton, UT, Becky(Paul) Johnson, Soddy Daisy, TN, and his first wife, Helen Davies of Layton, UT. He is also survived by five step-children, Rich (Jeanette) Hubbard, Dixon, Il, Larry (Darla) Hubbard, Lanark, Il., Brad (Dana) Hubbard, Oregon, Il., Sherry Hubbard (Scott Bookman), Mt. Carroll, IL. and Mel (Becky) Hubbard, Shannon, Il. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 12 step grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, two sisters, June and Carol, an infant brother, Chuck, and a step-grandson, Jeremy Hubbard.

Bill will be dearly missed by his wife, family, and many friends. A memorial service will be announced and held at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the Russell-Frank Funeral Home in Lanark.

Private condolences and online guestbook may be signed at www.schwarzfh.com

 

Memorial Service

Beverly R. Brown

Beverly R. Brown, 72, of Phoenix passed away on 11/29/2011. Bev was the daughter of George and Lillian Cook of Milledgeville. Bev adored her grandchildren, her job and tenants at Sunland Terrace Apartments, Phoenix. She traveled the world and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Bev is survived by her two daughters, Lori Gaumer of Santa Fe, NM, her husband Doug and children Derek, Sarah, Grant and Laura; and Brandi Edwards of Tucson, AZ her husband Chad and five children AJ, Courtney, Ambrose, Dylan and Chad Jr. 
Bev’s mother Lillian Cook of Milledgeville, IL, one sister Sue McGinn of Phoenix, AZ and her son Scott, one brother Gary Cook of Rock Falls, IL his wife Beth and three kids, Cary, Chris and Cally. Bev was preceded in death by her ex-husband Lloyd E. Brown (Brownie) of Phoenix and father George F. Cook of Milledgeville, IL.

A Memorial Service will be held June 22, 2012 at Milledgeville Brethren Church at 11:00 a.m.

Frederick W. Miller

Frederick W. Miller, age 78, of Hanover, Illinois, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at Manor Care Nursing Home in Dubuque, Iowa. Cremation rites will be accorded. A private family graveside service will be held, and family and friends will be invited to the Hanover VFW for a memorial gathering at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday June 16, 2012.

George Guzik

George Guzik, age 75, died Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at his home in Savanna, Illinois. Private family services will be held at a later date. Burial will take place at the Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

Carl Lewis Grube

Carl Lewis “Hulio” Grube, age 48 of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Home. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 16, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth with Father Noel Jacob as Celebrant. Burial will take place in the Schapville Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Law-Jones funeral Home, Elizabeth. A memorial fund has been established in Carl’s memory.

Judith A. Nichols

Judith A. Nichols, age 82 of Savanna, Illinois, died on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at the Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick, Georgia. Private family services have been held. A memorial fund has been established in Judith’s memory, and donations may be made to the Savanna Historical Society, 406 Main Street, Savanna, Illinois 61074.

Beverly Giddings

Beverly Giddings, age 68 of Sabula, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Sabula with Reverend Robert Kruger Officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Sabula. Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the service at the Church. Memorials may be given in Beverly’s memory for the Calvary Lutheran Sunday School Program.

Frank P. Gillen

Frank P. Gillen, age 93, of Savanna, Illinois died Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna. Burial will take place in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Savanna. A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Frank’s memory.

Ralph Arthur Higgins

Ralph Arthur Higgins, age 90, of Savanna Illinois, died at Big Meadows in Savanna, Illinois on June 4, 2012. A time of sharing will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Savanna Public Library in the name of Ralph Higgins.