Journal Star

Jay David Trimmer, 62, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, passed away October 13, 2021. Dave was born March 8, 1959, in Peoria, IL. He moved to LaSalle, IL, then settled in Pleasant Prairie where he lived for 30 years. He married Carrie Neurohr on June 6, 1987 in Ottawa, IL. Dave graduated from Peoria High School and went on to ISU and Illinois Valley Community College. He obtained multiple degrees including an Associate in Applied Sciences in Mechanical Technology Production, an Associate in Applied Sciences in Robotics Application, a Certificate in Manufacturing Processes, an Associate in Liberal Studies, and a Certificate in Manufacturing Mechanical Technology Production. Dave retired from...

J. David Trimmer, 62, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, passed away on October 13, 2021. For full obituary and service information please visit www.congdonfuneralhome.com.

John Charles Wolf, 79, of Salmon, passed away October 9, 2021, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho. John was born July 24, 1942, in Soda Springs, Idaho, to Melvin Alvin Wolf and Nancy Ruse Wolf Umphlett. He grew up and attended schools in Florida, New York and Illinois, finishing his education at Bloomington High School. He also attended Illinois Central College. John served in the United States Air Force. On July 31, 1963, he married Nancy Carol Pierce in Denver, Colorado. John and Nancy made their home in Mossville, Illinois, where John worked as a Quality Control Inspector at Caterpillar for 38 years. They retired to Salmon, Idaho, in 2000. He was a member...

WIFE MOTHER VOLUNTEER Helen D. Furlong died on September 28, 2021. She was 96. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Ken. She is survived by her daughters Karen Childs (husband Joseph and grandchildren Kathleen and Drew), Lucy Smith, Patricia Furlong (grandson Jacob), and Susan Fisher (husband Rob). Helen was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on April 27,1925; the fourth child of Anna Mary Hibert Degitz and William Harrison Bates Degitz. She was the first woman in her family to receive a bachelor's degree; graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a degree in business administration. Helen met Ken on a blind date in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nine months later the two...

David Arthur Jonas, 75, was called home to God on September 8, 2021 after a 15 year valiant fight with Parkinson's. He is survived by his wife, Dee Jonas, his five children and 10 grandchildren. Dave was dedicated to his faith, family and friends and to his career as an engineer for Caterpillar. Dave's uncanny ability to turn lemons into lemonade is one of the many things for which he will be remembered. Dave donated his body to science for Parkinson's Research. His funeral will be in-person and live-streamed from St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church on Oct 18th at 2pm. A Celebration of Life will take place in Morton, IL in 2022. More info can be found at...

84, of Dunedin, Florida, formerly of Peoria, Illinois, passed away August 29, 2021. Full obituary available at www.hollowayfuneralhomefl.com.

Helen M. Helms, age 92, of DeForest, WI passed away on June 29, 2021 at Sienna Crest Assisted Living. She was born on May 17, 1929 in Jacksonville, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Frona Frogge Buster. She married Ralph Helms on October 18, 1972 in Pekin, IL. Helen had a very strong faith in God and loved to sing hymns. She was known for her kind nature and loved visiting with family and friends. She also had a passion for going on shopping trips whenever possible. Survivors include son, Mark (Peggy) Cunningham; granddaughters, Samantha and Molly Cunningham; and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, James Oford Buster, Joseph Paul buster,...

On June 23rd, 2021 William (Bill) Combs, age 80 died at his residence in Aiken, SC. He is survived by Judy his loving wife of 57 years, son Dr. W. Bradford Combs and fianc? Jennifer of Aiken, daughter Susan Heil and son-in-law Todd of Atlanta, GA, sister Wilma Marchino and brother Jim. His parents and sister Doris Klasinski preceded him in death. Bill was born January 12th, 1941 to William Clinton Combs and Bernice Brown Combs and spent his childhood in Vincennes, IN. He obtained an AS degree from Vincennes University then a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He then joined Caterpillar Inc. where he worked for 33 years in Sales and Marketing. Bill retired in...

Robert Lee Clinton Ruckriegel, 85, passed away on June 11th, 2021. He is survived by his wife Lovella of 65 years sons Al Ruckriegel (& husband David Adams) of Terre Haute, Indiana and Sid Ruckriegel (& Andrew Rand) of Peoria, Illinois. Robert ("Bob" to many) was born on July 18th, 1935 in Jasper, Indiana to Clarence & Esther (Braun) Ruckriegel. He was the 3rd of four children - Alfred (& Lois) Ruckriegel, Dorothy (& Ira) McNeely , and Clarence Ruckriegel. Three step-sisters, Margie Kolb, Shirley Humbert, & Mary Lou Zehr, a step-brother John Schott, and step-father Ed Schott completed the family. While several have passed from our lives, they live forever in our...

Richard (Dick) L. Aeschleman, 88, passed away at 8:40pm on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in his home. Richard was born on April 21, 1933, in Roanoke, IL to the late, Fred and Mary (Foerter) Aeschleman. Richard was also preceded in death by five brothers, Fred, Wesley, Harold, Edward, and Joe; and one sister, Fanny (Huschen) Aeschleman. On May 20, 1956, Richard married Rose Ann (Knobloch) in Princeville, IL and she passed away on January 20, 2021. Richard often said that Rose was the perfect wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Richard is survived by children, Timothy (Peggy) Aeschleman, Becky (William) Ohland, Thomas (Patricia) Aeschleman, and Ann (Kevin) Hunsberger; twelve grandchildren; nine...

SECKEL, WILLIAM PRESCOTT, "PRES", 80, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed away on June 8, 2021, at home under the care of his family and comforted by his devoted dog Gracie and cat Oscar. Pres was a charismatic and caring person who loved to share a laugh by delivering memorable one-liners with a mischievous smile. He cultivated close and long-lasting friendships with people of all walks of life and showed generosity to, and genuine concern for, individuals in need. As a father to Sean (Susie) Seckel and Sheryl (Gabe) Hunter and Papa/Baba to their children, Lauren and Ashley Seckel and Logan and Aspen Hunter, he was a constant provider of love, guidance, support and inspiration. He and his...

Age 79. Coronation Day, in his Lord's rest June 1, 2021. Born and raised in Peoria, IL. Loving dad of Lisa (the late Tom) Weber and Steven Stambaugh. Proud grandpa of Erica (Ryan) Fanning, Jessica (Brian) Battles, Tim (Alison) Kern and great-grandpa of Jase, Fisher and Riley. Dear brother of Teresa (Harold) Baker, Mark Stambaugh, the late Susan (Jim) Miner and the late Michael Stambaugh. Further survived by other relatives and his many dear friends at Mercy Seat Church. A faithful servant and Missionary to the Preborn. Special thanks to the caring and loving staff at Ramsey Woods. Visitation at Hartson Funeral Home on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 10 AM to 11 AM. Celebration of Life...

Mary Louise Shively Baker, 78, formerly of Peoria, IL died May 27, 2021. Detailed information at suncitycenterfuneralhome.com.

Frank "Hank" Aylward Born to Frank R. and A. June Aylward in Peoria IL on 12-24-51. He attended St. Mark's grade school and graduated from Spalding Institute in 1969. Frank received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in 1969 by Congressman Robert Michael. His successful career at Caterpillar began in 1972 and spanned more than 36 years, including a 6 year stint in Brazil. In the various global assignments & management positions he held, his great joy was building teams that he truly considered "family". Frank met his wife Julie over 26 years ago and have had the pleasure of being transferred to many new welcoming communities . The last 9 years of retirement...

Jay Ernest DeGroot, age 60, passed away on May 18, 2021 in Jackson. Jay was born on August 1, 1960 in Pekin, IL, to Donald Gene and the late Patricia Knappenberger DeGroot. He graduated from Pekin High School (1979), Illinois State University, Normal, IL (1983) and Illinois Institute of Technology-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL (1986). Jay was assistant to regional counsel, United States Department of Transportation/Urban Mass Transportation Administration until 1987. He then worked as associate with Lawrence W. Leck & Associates, LTD in Chicago,IL until 1992. He then became an associate with the Law Offices of Jeffery A. Garrety, PC, Jackson TN. Jay enjoyed spending time with his...

Dr. Barbara Mary Witczak Hartnett, 74, Lawrence, lost her battle with cancer at home on April 27. She was born to Matthew and Mary Witczak on Dec. 5, 1946 in Cicero, Ill. She graduated from St. Mary of Czestochowa grade school and then Nazareth Academy. She earned college degrees from the U. of Illinois (B.S.), Illinois State U. (M.S.) and Northern Illinois U. (Ed.D). She met her future husband, Mike Hartnett, in high school in 1963. They married the day after graduating from Illinois in 1968. She taught Psychology for many years, at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL, rising to the rank of full professor. She later took early retirement and eventually became Executive Director of...

On April 26th, 2021, Hillarie "Cricket" May Mitchell, age 47, from Washington IL, passed away peacefully at her sister's home after a short but very courageously fought battle against cancer. Hillarie May Mitchell was born December 15th, 1973 in Foston, MN. The daughter of Harl and Marcie (Hanes) Gamber. It was during those long cold December nights where she earned her nick-name that stuck with her through her life as it was discovered that the tiny sounds of a baby sleeping soundly echoed the same tones of a cricket. This lovely young lady spent her childhood in Crookston, MN where she enjoyed dancing, running around with friends, invested in the church youth group, and snowmobiling....

Nicholas A. Ferranti, U.S. Navy Cdr. (Ret.), passed away peacefully on April 25, 2021. Nick was born in Peoria, IL on May 4, 1931, and grew up in Hollis Township and retired to Jacksonville in 1978. Nick attended the old Hollis school on Tuscorora Hill and the Spalding Institute, and was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic church, until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1948. He attained the rank of Commander and served his country for 30 years. He enjoyed playing poker and a good glass of merlot, but his greatest love was his family. Nick was funny, caring, giving, and he will be dearly missed. He is survived by grandchildren, Jerry A. Ferranti (Tanya), Angela Frost (Jef), and James Chandler;...

Herbert Arthur Paul was born in Edgeley, North Dakota on June 19, 1929 and died on April 23, 2021 at the age of 91. While a student at North Dakota State University, he was a member of the National Guard, and was sent to Korea where he served with the chemical corps there for six months. Just prior to leaving, he married Laurel Jensen Paul in Moorhead, Minnesota on June 8, 1952. After returning from Korea, he returned to college and received degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics. He then accepted a position at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, Illinois. As a result of this the family moved many times, including spending seven years in Geneva, Switzerland. In January of 2005, he retired...