Marjorie A. Engel, Michael Allan Ghibellini

Born: December 27, 1942 Died: June 29, 2022

MT. MORRIS, IL – Michael Allan Ghibellini, age 79, passed away on June 29, 2022 at home with his family by his side. Mike was born on December 27, 1942 in Rockford, IL, the son of James & Pauline (Biavati) Ghibellini. When Mike was in 6th grade, he moved to Mark, IL with his mother. He attended Hopkins High School in Granville, IL, where he was an outstanding baseball and basketball player. At 14 years old, he met the love of his life. He married Sharice Williams onJuly 13, 1963 in the First Lutheran Church, Granville, IL, and she preceded him in death on March 1. 2022. After high school, he started working at BF Goodrich Chemical Plant in Henry, IL. After a very bad fire at the plant, Mike decided to move to Mt. Morris, IL and start over. He owned and operated the Brass Rail with his father and brother Jim for about 20 years. Mike also worked at Kable Printing Company as a photoengraver. He was a proud union member who walked the picket line for 7 years during the strike, and he retired from Quebecor Printing in 2001. Mike and Shari enjoyed meeting friends to go dancing, gambling at the boat, and taking trips to share moments with people they cared about. Something Mike really enjoyed was cooking - he watched his mother for years and he was great at it also. He passed many family secrets on to his son and grandchildren. He was an avid golfer, who enjoyed playing at Sunset Golf Club more than anywhere. Mike spent a lot of time at the Pepper Mill, where he always enjoyed a cup of coffee with friends, buying rounds of drinks, getting serenaded, making bets on horses with Jockey and throwing their losing tickets into the “Bucket” saying Rah Ta Ta. He bought lottery tickets on a regular basis, always hoping to hit it big. Nothing meant more to him than family. He always put everyone above himself. He spent many years caring for people, especially Shari. There was no better son, brother, husband, father, Poppy, cousin, and friend than Mike Ghibellini. Mike is survived by his son, Joseph (Missy) Ghibellini of Mt. Morris, IL;, grandchildren: Kennedy (Tyler) Ghibellini–Burkhart of Oregon, IL, John Ghibellini of Mt. Morris, IL, Jacob Osborne of Salt LakeCity, UT, and Danielle (Jacob) Miller of Saratoga, WY; great-grandchildren, Barrett & Oden Miller of Saratoga, WY; stepmother-in-law, Ursela Williams of Oglesby, IL; stepbrother, Gary (Chris) Krejsa of Marina, CA; sister-in-law, Connie Ghibellini of Charleston, IL; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special cousins. Mike is preceded in death by his parents, James & Pauline Ghibellini; wife, Shari; son, John; brothers, Jim and Ted Ghibellini; and grandparents, Angelo & Della Ghibellini and John & Mary Biavati. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 11 a.m. in Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt, Mt. Morris, IL with Rev. Steven Erickson officiating. Burial was Plainview Cemetery, Mt. Morris, IL. Visitation was held on Tuesday July 5, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. until service time in Finch Funeral Home. Memorials to Sunset Golf Club and/or SerenityHospice & Home. The family would like to thank Serenity Hospice & Home and especially Val Rowland for their loving and comforting care. AND NOW HE IS ENTERING THE HOME STRETCH…. HE IS PICKING THEM UP, AND LAYING THEM DOWN…..

MARJORIE A. ENGEL

Born: May 6, 1940 in Hinsdale, IL Died: July 3, 2022 in Sterling, IL Marjorie A. Engel, 82, of Polo, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 3, 2022, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling. Marjorie was born May 6, 1940, in Hinsdale, IL, the daughter of George Engel and Ruth (Paul) Trei. On May 31, 1963 in Forreston, IL, she married John Engel. She worked as a Teachers Aid for Mt. Morris School District for years then went to work for Kable News until she retired in 2010. Marjorie was a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Polo. She enjoyed sitting and doing a cryptogram, playing bingo, reading and going bowling with friends. Marjorie would often sit crocheting blankets for her family or listen to the Statler Brothers music. Survivors include husband John Engel; daughters Cynthia Schryver of Polo, Andrea (Tom) Kay of Independence, MO and Paula (Lance) Malburg of Highlands Ranch, CO; grandchildren Chelsea Schryver, Greg and Payton Malburg. She was preceded in death by infant sister Manon Barbara Trei and sister Marilyn Stukenberg; brothers George and Kenneth Engel . Honoring Marjorie’s wishes cremation rites have been accorded. Visit www.polofamilyfuneralhome.com to send condolences.

Doris “Snooky” Lorraine (Barnhart) Snapp

August 25, 1938 – September 1, 2021 Celebration of Life

On Friday, July 15, 2022

we will celebrate the life of Doris Snapp. A memorial will be held at 6PM at the Church of the Brethren, at 409 Brayton Road in Mount Morris. Time to visit with the family will occur after the service in the Fellowship Hall with light snacks. All are welcome.

The family of John Fritts would like to thank all of you who grieved with us over the sudden loss of our Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother. There were so many acts of kindness shown to us. Each and every handshake, hug, and tear helps to fill the void. He personally cared about every one of you and it is humbling to know you cared about him. He enjoyed being your sports official. He enjoyed being your Treasurer. He enjoyed every pancake breakfast, chili supper, and spaghetti dinner. He got to see old friends, make new friends, and support great causes.

A special thanks to St Anne’s Church and St Patrick’s Church. We would also like to thank the Dixon Police Department for the escort in his final drive through town.

With Admiration,

The John F. Fritts Family

SM-ST1996908

• Oregon Republican Reporter • Mt. Morris Times • Tri-County Press • Forreston Journal

Photo provided Megan Thompson was presented the DAR Good Citizen Award for Oregon High School by the Rochelle Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Megan was chosen through a process that involves both the teachers and the members of the senior class. The winning student is selected because he or she exemplifies the traits of a Good Citizen which are Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism. Pictured from left are Laurie Perry (Rochelle Chapter regent), Lydia Roberts (DAR Good Citizen chairman), Megan Thompson and chapter members Tami Templeton and Therese Dickey.

IN BRIEF Fair board seeks contestants for queen pageant

The Ogle County Fair Board is seeking contestants for its 2022 Queen Pageant.

T h e p a g e a n t i n c l u d e s four divisions: Little Miss & Mr., Junior Miss, Young Miss and Miss Ogle County F a ir . I t w i l l b e h e l d o n Wednesday, Aug. 3, opening night of the fair, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The 168th Ogle County F a i r w i l l b e h e l d f r o m W e d n e s d a y , A u g . 3 , through Sunday, Aug. 7, at the fairgrounds, 1440 N. Limekiln Road, one mile west of Oregon just north of Illinois 64.

The Little Miss & Mr. Division is open to children ages 5-8, Junior is for ages 9-12, Young is for ages 13-15 and Miss is open to ages 16-21.

Winners in each division will participate in events at this year’s fair and throughout the coming year.

For more information on how to enter, forms, fees and pageant guidelines, send an email to ocfqueen@ gmail.com or go to www.oglecountyfairpageant.wordpress.com. Emma Thurow, 18, of Davis Junction, was chosen Miss Ogle County 2021.

PRIMARY ELECTION

Voter turnout was light for June 28 primary election

By ALEXA ZOELLNER azoellner@shawmedia.com

Voting was typically light in Ogle County with few contested contests on the June 28 ballot.

A total of 8,074 ballots were cast in Ogle County, which has 31,659 registered voters, according to the State Board of Elections’ website. That puts the turnout at 25.5%.

In the 2018 primary, turnout was 20.4% (8,468 ballots cast), and in the 2020 primary, it was 30.8% (10,084 ballots cast).

“The last time I worked with the Biden/Trump election and it was like, ‘Whoa!’ over the top,” said Jan Martin, an election judge in Mt. Morris on Tuesday. “There was record turnout. So anything else is going to seem less.”

Polo election judge David Bucher agreed.

“It’s been steady, but nothing like the presidential election,” Bucher said around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. “November will be a lot busier.”

New voting equipment made an impressive premiere and smoothed the process, Cook said.

Cook said more than 600 voters cast early ballots prior to Tuesday’s election and 280 were vote-by-mail ballots. The State Board of Elections’ website reported 781 early ballots were cast in Ogle County.

“The election workers are all pleasant and seem to know their job,” Mt. Morris voter Deb Beard said. “I think it’s important for us to vote if we want to get those people in there that we want.” Ogle County Board District 3 Republican (three elected) Daniel C. Miller — 230 (28.33%) Austin J. Gillis — 229 (28.2%) Joseph C. Simms — 225 (27.71%) Jamey Sulser — 128 (15.76%)

Ogle County Board District 5 Republican (three elected) Bruce E. Larson — 562 (28.24%) Donald E. Griffin — 495 (24.87%) Richard Daniel Jones — 491 (24.67%) Ronald Kern — 442 (22.21%)

Ogle County Board District 6 Republican (three elected) Ryan Reeverts — 461 (29.78%) Steven P. Huber — 422 (27.26%) Jeffery M. Billeter — 382 (26.68%) Dorothy R. Bowers — 293 (18.28%) Lyle M. Hopkins — 778 (31.26%) Susie Corbitt — 695 (27.92%) Marcia Heuer — 514 (20.65%) Chris Casper — 502 (20.17%)

Creston-Dement Public Library p r o p o s i t i o n t o i s s u e $ 2 . 2 m i l l i o n library bond

Yes — 117 (71.78%)

No — 46 (28.22%)

Buffalo Township Road District proposition to increase the Equipment and Building Fund

Yes — 132 (37.08%)

No — 224 (62.92%)

Polo Community Unit School District No. 222 proposition to elect Board of Education members at-large

Yes — 420 (53.23%)

No — 369 (46.77%)