Obituaries

Born: July 22, 1940 Died: November 7, 2022 Janis Ann Sawyer, 82, of Waterman, passed away Monday, November 7, 2022, at Kishwaukee Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 22, 1940 in DeKalb, to Robert and Lillian (Johnson) Gilmore. Janis attended Rochelle Township High School and later attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating with a BS in Physical Therapy. Janis married Paul Sawyer October 12, 1963. Janis and Paul settled on the family farm in Waterman where they raised their two sons. Janis enjoyed her life on the farm but also had a successful career as a physical therapist. She worked for many years at various hospitals and school districts. She ended her career at Northern Illinois University as a faculty assistant in the PT department. Her family and friends knew they could always count on her as well in their time of need for therapy and advice. Janis loved cooking, baking, and most of all spending time with family and friends. She was a member of two bridge leagues and was famous for her Minnie Pearl impersonations. Janis had an amazing sense of humor and loved to play games. She often hid presents at the Holidays and had her family go on a scavenger hunt in search of her hidden treasures. Church life was also very important to her. She and Paul were members of Suydam United Methodist until it closed, where she was a Sunday School teacher, superintendent and member of the Women’s league over the years. They later joined the Shabbona Community Church. Janis is survived by her husband, Paul; two sons, Stephen Sawyer and Kevin (Kristine) Sawyer; two grandsons, Wiley and Aidan Sawyer; brother, Bob (Ann) Gilmore; brotherin-law, Bill Wade; and special family friend Ursula Sarver and family; and many nieces and nephews. Janis is preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Barbara Wade. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the Shabbona Community Church, 104 E. Navaho in Shabbona with Pastor Peter Kolb officiating. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow in Victor Cemetery in Leland. Contributions in Janis’ name may be made to the family for a memorial to be established. Jacobson-Torman Funeral Home, Shabbona, assisted the family with arrangements.

Send obituary information to obits@MidWeekNews.com. or call 815-526-4438. Notices are accepted until 3 p.m. Thursday for the next Wednesday edition.

Obituaries also appear online at legacy.com/obituaries/MidWeekNews where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.

Scott Anderson file photo – sanderson@shawmedia.com An aerial view of the Facebook’s DeKalb Data Center site shows the progress of the 500-acre project on July 26 in DeKalb.

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“We started that process years ago,” Gill said. “It took quite a while. We actually received a grant from the state, so that added an extra kind of step to it, as well.”

Gill said the traffic study results indicate that there’s a need for the new traffic signals off Route 23 and Gurler.

“Mainly, it’s because those turn lanes allow vehicles to store there or what we call queue,” Gill said.

The city has received just shy of $1.5 million in state funding to allocate toward the cost to activate light signals, officials said.

Gill said the city didn’t take on any costs for the signalization project.

“We play an administrative role, but we didn’t have any direct expenses,” Gill said.

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Shaw Local News Network file photo The Hy-Vee grocery store in Sycamore is seen May 13, 2021. The Midwest retailer and grocer announced this week its stores will be closed on Thanksgiving day, a first-time move for the Iowa-based chain.

Midwest retailer and grocer Hy-Vee announced last week its stores will be closed for Thanksgiving day, a first-time move for the Iowa-based chain.

According to a company news release, Hy-Vee will close more than 285 retail locations across eight states, including Illinois, Nov. 24.

“[S]o that the company’s more than 80,000 employees across its eight-state region can enjoy the holiday with their friends and family,” according to the announcement.

Hy-Vee’s announcement falls in line with retail trends growing over the past several years, as more big box stores announce closures for holidays amid the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping season.

Other big retailers closed on Thanksgiving include Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, T.J. Maxx, Schnucks and more.

The 92-year-old company will close all its grocery store locations, Dollar Fresh Markets, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations, Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits locations and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations.

Customers will still be able to buy fuel at all Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations on Thanksgiving day, however.

Hy-Vee customers who buy holiday meal packs also will be able to schedule a time to pick up their order in-store prior to Thanksgiving day, or via curbside pickup from 8 to 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving day at Hy-Vee grocery stores, according to the release.

All Hy-Vee corporate offices also will close for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For information on specific store locations or hours, visit www.hy-vee. com/stores.

SYCAMORE – St. John Lutheran Church in Sycamore will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community.

The dinner will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at the church, 26555 Brickville Road, Sycamore, according to a news release.

The menu consists of roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, rolls, desserts, coffee, lemonade and water.

For information, call 815-895-4477.

DeKALB – St. George Greek Orthodox Church will host its annual pre-Thanksgiving bake sale to benefit local charities.

The church, 320 S. Second St., DeKalb, will hold the bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, according to a news release.

Items can only be purchased with cash or a check. All COVID-19 protocols are being observed during the preparation and repackaging of the pastries. – Shaw Local News Network