All Obituaries

Robert E. Batistini, age 86, of Earlville, passed away on May 6, 2022 at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Noon Friday, May 13th at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Oakwood Memorial Park with Pastor Del Kielman officiating.  Visitation will be an hour prior to the services.  Pallbearers will be grandchildren, Brayden Batistini, Jeff Riley, Jenny Riley, Kathryn Rosene and Laura Blatnik, and friends Thomas Myers and Steven Lenertz....

Cathy Marie Fowler, age 60, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022 at OSF St. Anthony in Rockford, IL surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 13th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Rev. David M. Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 until the time of service at the funeral home. Cathy was born June 5, 1961 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of Salvador Jr. and Barbara (Rodriguez) Baiz. She married Mark J. Fowler June 3,...

Lila Distin, age 87, of Ottawa, left this earth for her heavenly home Monday, April 25, 2022 with her loving family by her side. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30th at the First Baptist Church, 103 West McKinley Road, Ottawa with Reverend Bill Clark, OSF Hospice Chaplain officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Jill, Allie, Stephanie and...

Nancy Julia Olmstead was born to Robert and Alyce Chalmers in Grantham, England on February 8, 1926. She had vivid memories of being a teenager during the Battle of Britain, experiencing rationing, air raids, blackout conditions, and bomb shelters. Her family housed servicemen, and she volunteered for the Red Cross and USO events, all while attending high school. Young Nancy married U.S. Army Corporal A. Richard McCamish, Jr. of Kennewick, Washington in Grantham in 1944 and then emigrated...

When Richard F. Taylor passed away on January 28, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana, his four children and their families shared the grief of his loss, of course, but were also so deeply grateful for his 95 years of an incredible life.  Born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 27, 1926 as the youngest of the ten children of Andrew and Kate Taylor.   Once a sports ball found it’s way into young Richard’s hands, he joined in the endless competitions of his siblings & neighborhood...

Daniel Lee Rice, Sr., age 64, of Streator, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at his residence. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Daniel was born December 23, 1957 in Ottawa, a son of DeWayne and Beverly (Stevens) Rice. He is survived by his children, Rebecca (Zach) DePue of Utica, Daniel (Jessie) Rice, Jr. of Princeton and Christy Phillips of Texas; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves brothers, Dallas (Jami) Rice, Dewey Rice and Joe Rice...

Curt Galloway, age 81, of Ottawa, formerly of Oak Park, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his loving family at his side. Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 23rd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Hancock officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. till service at 11:00. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren; as well as James McEntee, Theresa McEntee-Smisor, Bryan Allen, Kirsten Hoekman, Kevin...

George William “Pickle” Hanselman, age 101, of Ottawa, departed this life and entered his Heavenly Home Saturday, March 12, 2022 with his loving family by his side. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 19th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Pastor Sherry Stevenson and Rev. John Paul Robbins officiating. Entombment with military honors by the American Legion Post 33 Veterans Group Honor Guard will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial...

Opal Irene (Day) McDonald, age 90, of Ottawa, formerly of Marseilles, passed away Friday, February 18, 2022 with her loving family by her side. Per Opal’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Services will be held at a later date in Missouri. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Opal was born January 6, 1932 in Clarksville, Missouri, a daughter of Clarence and Esta (Bibb) Day. She married Virgil McDonald January 28, 1950 in Clarksville, Missouri. He...

Louise L. Haefner, age 91, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday February 22nd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Funeral Services with be immediately following the visitation at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Gary Caster Officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Louise was born June 12, 1930 in Ottawa, Illinois, a daughter of Frank Christopher and Elizabeth Ruth (Johnston) Plate. She married Walter Haefner...