James L. “Jim” Barnes, Joanne Marie Marcan Juriga, Marlene Joyce Dohlen Genung, John Michael Mitchell Sr

SPECIAL EVENT

Recycle those holiday lights at several locations in count y

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) is again partnering with local fire departments and villages to offer several convenient drop-off boxes so those frustrating, nonfunctional holiday light strands can be recycled.

Drop-off boxes are available at the following fire departments: Rochelle, Byron, Stillman Valley and Mt. Morris.

The boxes also will be located at the village halls in Polo, Forreston, Davis Junction and Creston.

Light strands also are accepted at the Ogle County courthouse and at the OCSWMD office at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

Boxes will remain at these locations until Jan. 21, 2022.

Accepted light strands include Italian mini-lights, traditional lights, LED lights and other holiday light strands. Extension cords also are accepted.

Material not accepted includes rope lights, wreaths, garland, metal stakes or silhouettes, live greens, plastic decorations, timers and light packaging, plastic bags or cardboard boxes.

Placing just the light strands and cords into the bins increases material value and makes the recycling process more efficient for the processor.

Lights and cords will be shipped to Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations in Onalaska, Wisconsin, to be recycled.

In 2020-2021, more than 1,500 pounds of material were collected and recycled through this program.

For more information, call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020 or visit www. oglecounty.org.

OBITUARIES

JAMES L. “JIM” BARNES

Born: October 13, 1928 Died: December 5, 2021

OREGON – James L. “Jim” Barnes, 93, longtime Oregon resident, died Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Swedish-American Hospital, Rockford following a short illness. Born October 13, 1928 in Decatur, IL the son of Roy and Lela (Duncan) Barnes. On March 21, 1947 he married Barbara J. Taft in Decatur. Together they owned and operated Bill’s Shoe Service in Oregon for 30 years until their retirement. Jim was active in his community and served on many committees and projects for the betterment of his community, He served his city of Oregon for 28 years – City Council from 1975 to 1978, Mayor from 1978 to 1999, and again City Council from 2015 to 2019. He was on the Ogle County Board for 6 years 2006 to 2012, serving as Chairman 2010 to 2012. Jim was one of the founders and served on the Autumn on Parade Committee for over 25 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Rock River Center and was an active member for over 21 years. He also served on the Oregon Ambulance Service for 20 years. He and his wife, Barb, were active members of the Blackhawk Twirlers Square Dance Club for 25 years. Predeceased by his wife of 72 years, Barbara; son, Scott; grandson, Jim Pearson; granddaughter, Amanda Heimstead; and daughter-in-law, Diane Barnes. Survived by his son, Jim Barnes; daughters, Virginia (Robert) Pearson and Penny (William) Stoughton; grandchildren: Lisa Albee, Dan Pearson, Tim Barnes, Dustin Heimstead, Benjamin Heimstead, Ethan Heimstead, Cameron Heimstead and Wyatt Heimstead; and 13 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at a later date. In lie of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, Oregon, assisted the family.

JOANNE MARIE MARCAN JURIGA

Born: September 13, 1938 in Oak Park, IL Died: December 7, 2021 in Mt. Morris, IL Marlene Dohlen, born in Freeport, Illinois, grew up in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Her parents were Henry “Hank” and Ruth Dohlen. Marlene married Len Genung on 6-2-1953. Her beloved husband passed away 1-27-2017. They were married for 64 years. She now joins her husband in heaven who she missed very much. They moved around 24 times, but are finally at their final destination.

Moves included Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Saudi Arabia.They traveled all over the the world, including Europe, Asia, and India.

Marlene had a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. At Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, she served as the director of nurses and was an OB nurse. Her hobbies were being a piano player and teacher, brailing books for the blind and bowling. Her best friend and godmother to her children is Bernadyne Messer Snook. They grew up across the street from each other on Hitt Street in Mt.Morris. (Lots of funny stories there).

Marlene is survived by her two daughters, Lisa O’Neal of Denver, CO, and Julie Riemer of Osceola, WI; son-in-law Jon Riemer; four grandchildren, Danielle, Riley, Thor and Cole; and two great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and Ryder.

Marlene felt blessed by God for her family,cousins, friends and all she had on this world. She will be missed.

Joanne Marie Marcan Juriga was born on September 13, 1938 in Oak Park, Illinois. She passed away on December 7, 2021 at her home in Mt. Morris, IL. She was married to Thomas James Juriga on June 15, 1960 in Berwyn, Illinois. They raised their family in Wheaton, IL and then moved to Mount Morris in 1990. Joanne was an active member of her local church, Saint James Lutheran Church and had a lifetime of service in local community organizations in both DuPage and Ogle County. She is survived by her three children, Stephen (Alexandra) Juriga DVM of Aurora, IL, James (Denise) Juriga DVM of Batavia, IL, Jill Wright of Thomson, IL; her sister, Karen Quinlan; and grandchildren Kayleigh (Sam) Brzezinski DVM, Jake (Amy) Juriga, Nadia (Adriel) Medina, Lindsay Juriga, Kimberly (Collin) O’Neal, Grace Juriga, Alex Juriga, Luke Juriga, and Elle Juriga.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas James Juriga and her parents, Joseph and Anna Marcan.

Those who knew Joanne knew that she always said what was on her mind and was a gifted conversationist. When she wasn’t gardening she could be found sewing or knitting inside. Homemade gifts were her specialty. She was very active in her children and grandchildren’s lives and always kept the family connected. She will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at Joanne’s home in Mt. Morris from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 18th with the memorial service taking place at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Saint James Lutheran Church of Forreston, Illinois.

MARLENE JOYCE DOHLEN GENUNG

Born: February 14, 1931 Died: November 14, 2021

JOHN MICHAEL MITCHELL SR.

Born: August 14, 1951 in Dixon, IL Died: December 7, 2021 in Benton City, WA

Dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather John M. Mitchell, Sr. age 70 of Benton City, WA passed away December 7, 2021, at home. John was born August 14, 1951, in Dixon, IL the Son of Neil C. Smith and Betty R. (Whalen) Smith. John graduated from Polo Community High School, Polo, IL in 1969 and received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University in 1973. John worked as a Radiation Protection and Health Physicist for 30 years and worked for Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) for the past eight years. He was a member of the NRRPT; Health Physics Society. John liked to fish and enjoyed woodworking. John touched many lives, and his passing will be felt by many from coast to coast.

John is survived by Jan, his wife of 21 years; three sons, Master Sgt. John Jr. “Mitch” (Madonna), AL, Ryan Birk, TX and Jared Birk, KS; six grandchildren; brother in-law Roger Messenger, IL; other family members and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Betty Messenger.

John’s soul and spirit were committed to God and body to the ground by Pastor Larry Howell of Victory Christian Center, Benton City, WA.

John was cremated by Hillcrest Funerals and Cremation, Kennewick, WA.

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