Diane M. Komiskey

Diane Marie Komiskey, 60, of Lanark, passed away at home on August 21, 2010 surrounded by her family.

She was born on December 17, 1949 in Freeport, IL, daughter of Patrick “Pat” and Dorothy (Knauer) McCue. Diane and James “Jim” Komiskey were married on August 12, 1972, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna, IL. They enjoyed 38 loving years together and raised two wonderful children.

Jim and Diane started their married life in Pittsburg, PA where Jim pursued an education in aircraft mechanics and earned an Airframe and Powerplant mechanics license. Then they moved to Grand Rapids, MI where Jim worked at the airport and Diane worked at a Kemper Insurance Agency. A few years after the birth of their daughter, Kathleen, they moved to Lanark, IL.

Diane continually sought out new challenges with gusto. She valued each day as an opportunity to learn about and conquer something new. The kind words of encouragement she received from people she worked with were the fuel for her fire to take on each new challenge with confidence. Over the years Diane worked as an aide and educator, legal office manager, tourism and marketing counselor, reporter at both The Freeport Journal-Standard and The Prairie Advocate. Most recently she worked as the Executive Director of the Jo-Carroll Depot LRA.

She has also been a member of the Jo-Carroll Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee, an Eastland School Board Member, and a Sunday school teacher at St. Wendelin in Shannon.

Diane enjoyed motorcycle trips with her family and friends, gardening, photography, annual trips to Chicago with ‘the girls,’ dancing with her husband, attending plays at the Timber Lake Playhouse, appreciating great art, both from Impressionist masters and local artists, and listening to classical music. She was a member of SS John & Catherine Church of Mt. Carroll and active in many church activities including the Ladies Society and Ladies of the Knight organizations.

Diane will be dearly missed by her husband, Jim Komiskey (Lanark), mother, Dorothy McCue (Lanark), sister, Charlotte (Ron) Atherton (Thomson), children Kathleen (Steffin) Griswold (Minneapolis, MN) and Martin (Dawn) Komiskey (Loves Park), grandchildren Jacob, Jordee and Jace Watkins, nieces and nephews, Amanda, Christine, Emily, Garrett, J. J., Jacob, Jennifer, Kristen, Megan and Ryan.

Preceding her in death is her father Patrick McCue.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10 am Friday, August 27, 2010 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Savanna. Visitation will be held 4 - 8 pm Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Online condolences and tributes may be sent to the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

As Diane was fond of saying “flowers are for the living.” In honor of her memory please share flowers with a loved one or a shut-in in your area and think of her. Donations may be made in Diane’s name to National MS Society, Timber Lake Playhouse, a local hospice organization or a charity of your choice.

A heartfelt thank you to all those who have sent cards, offered thoughts and prayers for Diane and her family and prepared food to share during this time. The spiritual, emotional and physical gifts have been so uplifting and appreciated more than words can adequately express. Also thanks go out to Mt. Carroll ambulance crew, Life Flight OSF crew, St. Anthony Hospital of Rockford and the doctors, nurses and staff of that institution, especially those in NTICU, and Hospice of Rock River Valley who have all served us since Diane’s tragic accident.

Monika Germain

Monika Bradley Frankenberger Germain, 68, of Freeport and formerly of Clinton, Iowa died Friday, Aug.20,2010 in her home.

She was born on April 22, 1942 in Helgoland, Germany and was a graduate of Clinton High School.

Survivors include her mother, Waltraude Votteler Thomas of Clinton, her daughters, Stacey Bradley of Savanna and Christa Bradley of Mt. Carroll, her four grandchildren, Avery, Alex, Seth, and Dana, one brother, Michael (Debbie) Thomas of Clinton, two sisters, Patti Thomas of Clinton, and Heidi (David) Burn of Comanche, nieces, nephews, and a special Friend, George Miller of Freeport.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Thomas and a brother, Heiko.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, Aug. 26,2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton. Friends may call after 9:30 A.M. at the church until the time of service on Thursday. A Memorial has been established in her memory.

Arrangements are being handled by the Schwarz Funeral Home in Freeport.

Nellie Larson

Nellie Jane Larson, age 95, of Fulton, Illinois, formerly of Savanna, died Friday, August 20, 2010, at Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Fulton. A private family gathering will be held at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna.

Alejandro G. Pacas

Alejandro (Alex) Guillermo Pacas, age 19, of Mount Carroll, Illinois, died Wednesday, July 28, 2010. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010 at SS. John and Catherine Catholic Church, Mt. Carroll. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll.