Sterling, Illinois Obituaries

Apr 14, 2024

STERLING – Captain James F. Meyer, of Sterling, died Sunday, April 14, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.

Jim was born December 9, the son of Isadore and Marie (Napadano) Meyer. He graduated from Alexian Brothers School of Nursing and went on to become an anesthetist. His time as an anesthetist afforded him...

Apr 5, 2024

Eileen M. “Bing” Collins, 92, of Rock Falls passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday April 5, 2024 at her home. Eileen was born on March 2, 1932 in Sterling the daughter of Edward and Nina (Dronenburg) Bingenheimer. She married Robert J. Collins on May 9, 1953 in Iowa City. He preceded her in death on October 25,...

Apr 2, 2024

John J. Juarez Jr., 81, of Rock Falls died Tuesday April 2, 2024 at home surrounded by family. John was born February 24, 1943 in Savanna IL the son of Juan J. Juarez Sr. and Joanna (De Avila) Juarez. He married Hope Caudillo on July 10, 1965 in Sterling. She preceded him in death on February 12, 2007.

Mar 25, 2024

Donald R. Nelms, 85 of Rock Falls died Monday March 25, 2024 at Allure of Prophetstown. Donald was born January 29, 1939 in Prophetstown the son of Ira and Nina (Arnett) Nelms. He married Barbara Reider on July 15, 1961 in Prophetstown. Barbara preceded him in death on January 25, 2016.

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Mar 16, 2024

Shawn K. Keane, 46, of Dixon, died Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Shawn was born November 23, 1977 in St. Charles, the son of Dennis Keane and Debra Beschen.

Shawn will be remembered for his work with kids in Sterling wrestling and football programs. He was a proud member of Midwest Mulisha...

Mar 11, 2024

Lani Funderberg, 76, of Sterling, died Monday March 11, 2024 at her home in Sterling. Lani was born on October 13, 1947.

Survivors include one daughter Mary Funderberg; four sons Shane (Christina) Ewing, Edward Funderberg, Dustin Funderberg, and Ben (Rebekah) Funderberg; fifteen grandchildren Peyton, Lexie, Gabriel, Kenzie, Addison, Trinity, Maddie Jo, Jeffery, Rhyley, Emma Jo,...

Mar 9, 2024

Ryan Edward Fischer, 37 of Sterling, passed away Saturday, March 9 at his home. Ryan was born April 3, 1986 in Sterling. The son of Kathy Fischer of Sterling and Todd Fischer of South Carolina. He married his best friend, April Celestino, June 6, 2009 in Rock Falls. He was preceded in death by April in 2022. Ryan owned...

Feb 29, 2024

Fransisca "Chica" Escobedo, age 95 passed away peacefully on February 29, 2024 in Sterling Illinois. She was born April 23, 1928 in Texas to Luis & Luisa Cabrera.

She is survived by her children Juanita Villarreal & Mario(Molly) Escobedo.

Her grandchildren Heather(Mike) Tarbill, Lisa(Ian) Bruins, Caroline Chapman, Levi Villarreal, Pia(Scott) Sekutowski,...

Feb 26, 2024

Richard“ Dick” Tessmann, 80, of Sterling, IL went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Monday, February 26, 2024. Dick was born in Watertown, WI in the year 1943. After high school he earned a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University and then went on to graduate from Central Seminary with a masters degree in divinity....

Feb 22, 2024

Zelda Allen, 99, of Sterling, died Thursday February 22, 2024 at Morningside of Sterling.

Zelda was born December 26, 1924 in Harmon, the daughter of Fred and Lola ( Scykes) Schulte. She married Joseph W. Allen in 1945 in Sterling. He preceded her in death in 1977.

She was a member...

Feb 21, 2024

Jon Frederick Block, 68, of Sterling, died Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Jon was born March 29, 1955 in Tacoma, WA, the son of Fred E. and Helen (Ohms) Block. He married Deborah Hoster on March 3, 1979 in Sterling. Jon and Deborah did everything together. They especially loved...

Feb 15, 2024

Curtis Lee Poff Jr, 53, of Rock Falls, died Thursday February 15, 2024. Curt was born October 25, 1970 in Morrison the son of Curtis Lee and Mary (Stage) Poff Sr.

Survivors include one daughter Kayla Marie Poff; three sons Curtis Lee Poff III, Hunter Lee Poff, and Zayden Xavier Poff; two brothers Corey Poff,...

Feb 15, 2024

Janet L. Palmer, 93, of Rock Falls, died peacefully on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Janet was born Sept. 30, 1930, in Easton, Ill, the daughter of Otho and Blanche (Bortel) Furrer. She married Harold R. Palmer on Feb. 12, 1949, in Easton. He preceded her in death on July 29, 2014. The focus of Janet’s life was faith, farm,...

Feb 12, 2024

J.W. Smithee, 90 of Rock Falls, died Monday February 12, 2024 at his home surrounded by family. J.W. was born January 22, 1934 in Monette AR the son of James and Ruth (Ward) Smithee. He married Bea Martin.

Survivors include one son Mike Smithee of Sterling; two sisters Barb Muellder, and Mildred Miller; seven grandchildren;...

Feb 10, 2024

WIlliam "Bill" Maust Griswold was born on March 20th, 1926. He grew up on the Southside of Chicago with his parents, grandparents, and younger sister Nancy. He attended Parker and Tilden High Schools where he learned many of the building and handyman skills he would use throughout his life. After graduation, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Force in...

Feb 4, 2024

Maria Pena, 89, of Sterling died Sunday February 4, 2024 at Rock River Hospice & Home surrounded by family. Maria was born July 25, 1934 in Cerralvo Nuevo Leon Mexico the daughter of Reynaldo and Silvestra (Gomez) Trevino. She married Atanacio Pena on September 12, 1952.

Surviviors include six daughters Diana Pena, Delia Rivera, Minerva...

Feb 2, 2024

William (Bill) Edward Chapman, Sr. 87, of Sterling, IL, died unexpectedly on February 2, 2024. Bill was born near Whitehall, IL on February 2, 1937, the son of Robert and Mary (Crum) Chapman. After graduating from Rock Falls High School in 1955, he attended the University of IL in Champaign-Urbana, majoring in Electrical Engineering. He left UofI prior to...

Feb 2, 2024

Margery Spooner, age 100, of Sterling died February 2, 2024 at Parkway Center. Born September 22, 1923 in Sterling, daughter of Marietta and August Kohl. Married Arza Spooner on January 19, 1947. She graduated from Sterling High School in 1941 and Jane Lamb Hospital, Clinton, IA in 1945. In 1946 she attended Baylor University Hospital, Dallas, TX and graduated...

Feb 1, 2024

Glenda Mae “Sis” Kaecker, 66, of Amboy, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on Thursday February 1, 2024.

Sis was born April 9, 1957 in Dixon, the daughter of Glenn and Ella Mae (Owens) Troxell. She married William “Bill” Kaecker on April 10, 1973 in Dixon. Sis loved spending time with her...

Jan 29, 2024

Judith Mills, 80, of Rock Falls died Monday January 29, 2024 at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling. Judith was born October 2, 1943 the daughter of Wilmer and Lorraine (Walsh) Fullgraf.

The lady of many titles, her favorite being mom, grandma, and great grandma. To most she was known as the skating rink...