OBITUARIES
POLO - Keith Dean Hannah, 92, of Polo, passed away on May 29, 2021 at Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris, where he resided the last 3 years. Keith was born on March 30, 1929 at home in Peoria County to Hildreth Ray and Lula Francis Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marlyn Millard; his brothers, Hildreth Ray Hannah Jr., Robert Hannah, Glendon Hannah and Richard Hannah; and his loving wife of 64 years, Marilyn Joan Hannah. He is survived by his sisters, Lula Francis (Fran) Adolphson and Cora Atteberry; sister-in-law, Dee Ruckman; sons, Steve (Marty) of Hudson, Ohio and Scott of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; daughters, Jill (Richard) Dutton of London, England, Kim (Cory) Cassens of Stockton, and Lori (Curt) Leppert, of Rockford; grandchildren, Keith (Brittany) Hannah and Natalie (Ben) Hackett, Abby, Rachel and Ashley Cassens, and Vivian and Jack Leppert; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Amelia and Maximus Hannah; and many nieces and nephews. Keith grew up in Mossville. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, Keith returned to Mossville. In 1955 Keith, married Marilyn (McFall), and they lived and worked on the family farm until 1964, when they moved to a farm near Polo. While farming and providing for his family was Keith’s focus, he was also very active in the Ogle County Farm Bureau, the Polo Cooperative Association and was a Woosung Township Trustee. Keith retired from farming in 2009 at the age of 79. In retirement, Keith spent many hours honing his wood working skills. Keith enjoyed the family coming home, but also traveling to visit them. These visits almost always included helping with a DIY project or two. The family is very grateful for the care he received at Pinecrest Manor. A visitation for a maximum of 50 people at a time, will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Dixon on Friday, June 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a private family
funeral. A celebration of life for both Keith and Marilyn will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Polo Fire and Ambulance service. Cards can be sent to Kim Cassens, 6402 S Ridge Rd, Stockton, IL 61085. Online condolences may be sent to chapelhilldixon.com.
STEVEN G. ‘FRED’ STENZEL
OREGON - Steven G. “Fred” Stenzel, 67, of Oregon, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his family. Steve was born Oct. 29, 1953 in Oregon, the son of Frederick A. and Donna Marie (Moring) Stenzel. Steve graduated from Oregon High School in 1971. He married Lora Danekas on March 30, 1993 and they had one child, Jeremy Stenzel. Steve worked for Cain Millwork for over 20 years before becoming self-employed. He enjoyed putting together puzzles and anything to do with the outdoors, such as fishing and hunting, demolition derbies (especially with his son, Jeremy), working in his yard on Brooks Island, hanging out in his garage and having an occasional Bud Light. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Frederick A. Stenzel. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Lora Stenzel of Oregon; his son, Jeremy (Courtney) Stenzel of East Moline; his two sisters, Peggy (Gordy) Olson of Fulton and Penny (Collier) Gerhardt of Liberty, Missouri; his mother, Donna Marie Moring Smith of Lady Lake, Florida; his two grandsons, Jackson and Greyson Stenzel of East Moline; his Aunt Kay and Aunt Sally; his close cousin and friend, Bruce “Noah” (Brenda) Hiscox; several nieces and nephews; and his two closest friends, Roger and Jimmy. A celebration of life will be held at his residence on Brooks Island on Saturday, July 24 from 4 to 7 p.m.. Friends and family may stop by anytime to share stories and celebrate Steve’s life. In lieu of cards and flowers, memorials in Steve’s name may be sent to the family or to Serenity Hospice & Home, Oregon. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Appenheimer and Serenity Hospice & Home, especially his nurse Val.
The family was assisted by Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, Oregon, www. farrellhollandgale.com.
ADAM M. SPITTLER
ADELINE - Adam Michael Spittler, 27, of Adeline, passed away Friday, May 21, 2021 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born May 26, 1993 in Rockford to Gary and Robin (Prentice) Spittler. Adam was a truck driver for Buckshot Ridge Farms & Excavating. He was a 2013 graduate of Forreston High School, and studied auto mechanics at Whiteside Area Career Center. Adam was actively involved in FFA and participated in many activities, but restoring tractors was his favorite. In 2012, his tractor restoration team made it to compete at the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Adam played football and baseball. Adam began playing baritone, and tuba in junior high, and later learned how to play the guitar. His love for music was a saving grace through the tough times. Adam was a blessing from the time he was born; his parents had been patiently awaiting a second child. Through his life, he blessed many others with his presence. He was friends with everyone, and never held a grudge. He could often be found working on people’s vehicles and lending a hand to anyone in need of help. Adam had many hobbies, he had a special love for trucks, motorcycles, semis and tractors. He loved snowmobiling, tractor pulling, fishing, and hanging out with his friends. Adam served on the board of directors for the Silver Creek Museum, and The Antique Engine Club in Freeport. Adam was diagnosed with Stage 4 testicular cancer in July 2020. He battled every day to beat cancer, enduring brain surgery, several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and other procedures. Adam and his family were very hopeful that he would be cured and able to stay on earth, but the Lord had other plans. Adam is survived by his parents, Gary and Robin Spittler of Adeline; two sisters,
Danialla (Justin Mills) Schreiber of Forreston, and Michelle Spittler of Freeport; brother, Noah Spittler of Adeline; grandfather, Harry B. Prentice; nieces and nephews, Mackenzie, Dyllan, and Jaxson; uncle, Harry (Linda) Prentice; and aunt, Rhonda (Jeremy DeBord) Prentice. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Francis and Janet Spittler; and maternal grandmother, Rita Prentice. Funeral services were Saturday, May 29 at Leaf River Baptist Church. Burial was at North Grove Evangelical Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Adam’s memory.
JOEL C. LUDWIG
FORRESTON - Joel C. Ludwig, 51, of Forreston, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at FHN Memorial Hospital. Joel was born November 17, 1969, in Freeport, the son of Stanley and Karen (Johnson) Ludwig. He married Shawnda Spray on Sept. 2, 1989 in Forreston. Joel was extremely active in his community; he served on the Foundation Board and the School Board for the Forreston School District. He was a member of Forreston Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory. Joel was the Forreston Summer Ball Program Coordinator. He was also a member of the Forreston Lions Club. He loved attending any Forreston sporting events. Surviving is his wife, Shawnda Ludwig of Forreston; children, Allison (Fred) Bergman of Chadwick, Samantha Ludwig (Mitchell Harter) of Hobart, Wisconsin, Jacqueline Ludwig, and Joel Ludwig; brother, Matthew Ludwig; sister, Donna (Mike) Johann; and father-in-law, Charles Spray Sr. Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Karen Ludwig; sister, Gretchen; and mother-in-law, Diana Spray. Funeral services were Saturday, May 29, at Forreston Reformed Church. Burial was at West Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Joel in his memory. Please sign his guestbook and share a remembrance at www.burketubbs.com.
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OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, Jun 4, 2021
KEITH D. HANNAH
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