Obituaries

Erma C. Williams

Erma C. Williams, 93, of Lanark, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Mt. Carroll. She was born on August 24, 1918 to Floyd and Ida (Michael) Tripp in Salem Township, Carroll County, IL.

Erma married Robert Williams on August 24, 1936 in Freeport. She was employed in the cafeteria at Lanark High School until she retired. She was a member of the Church of the Brethren and the Women’s Fellowship. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and puzzle books.

She is survived by: Mina (Wayne) Linker of Chadwick, Linda (Francis) Snider of Milledgeville, and Albert (Bonnie) Williams of Lanark; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandsons; 1 sister: Mildred Tripp of Sterling, 1 brother: Allen (Georgia) Tripp of Sterling, and 2 sister-in-laws: Mary Hazel of Savanna, and Florence Tripp of Chadwick.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2003; parents; 1 granddaughter: Angela Williams; 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Church of the Brethren in Lanark with Pastor John Sgro officiating. Burial will be in the Lanark Cemetery. Friends may call after 9:30 on Saturday at the church until the time of service. A memorial has been established in her memory. Arrangements by the Russell-Frank Funeral Home.

Victor “Vic” Veren

“Vic” Veren, 57 of Melbourne, Iowa, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011. Funeral services were held Monday, August 8, 2011 at the St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation was held on Sunday, August 7 with a Vigil Service at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorial may be directed to the family. For condolences or questions, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or to Kathy Veren, 3210 Laffette Ave., Melbourne, IA.

Kenneth Veren was born March 24, 1954 to James Earl and Orrell May (Sietmann) Veren in Marshalltown. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Laurel, Iowa. As a boy Victor enjoyed playing sports and faming with his dad in southern Marshall County.

He attended SEMCO Public School where he excelled at baseball, basketball, track and football. Victor graduated from high school in 1972. Highlights were captain of the football and baseball team and also First Team All-Conference. He led the basketball team to a sub-state tournament game at the Marshalltown Roundhouse. He then attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, majoring in Industrial Arts. Victor played baseball, football and was a member of Sigma Phi Sigma Fraternity. He graduated from college in 1976 and went back home to help his father farm.

Victor worked at Fisher Controls for several years and then was an educator at SEMCO and East Marshall schools. He was a beloved baseball coach, girls’ basketball coach and industrial arts teacher.

A highlight of his coaching career was state baseball appearances in 1994 and 1996. In 1998, Victor retired from teaching to farm with his father. Victor enjoyed farming, passionately cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes, talking on the phone and being with friends. He had a keen ability to have a coined nickname for many of his friends and acquaintances.

Victor married Kathleen Marie Shank on Jan. 25, 1997, in Union. Their union was blessed with two girls: Taia Judith and Clare Orrell. For a previous marriage, Victor was blessed with two boys: Clinton Anthony and Lucas Mackenzie. Victor enjoyed his children’s activities and date nights with his wife.

Victor is survived by his wife of 14 years, Kathleen; son Clinton and fiancee Jamie of Gretna, Neb.; son Lucas of Haverhill; daughters Taia and Clare at home; mother Orrell May of Haverhill; sister and brother-in-law Jenette and Patrick Curran of Ottumwa; sister and brother-in-law Cynda and Chuck Hilsabeck, of Pleasant Hill; sister and brother-in-law Shelly and John Sabatka of Raleigh, N.C.; eight nieces and nephews, and one great-niece and one great-nephew.

Victor was preceded in death by his father, James Veren.

Dorothy Mae Signer

Dorothy Mae Signer, age 88, of rural Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Monday, August 29, 2011 at home surrounded by her family and nature’s wildlife. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll with Pastor Robert Phelps officiating. Burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m., prior to the service at the Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established in Dorothy’s memory.