Donna Frances (Heer) Cornelius, Lorene M. Stamm, Carol (Heywood) Tuttle, E. Robert “Bob” Michael

FORRESTON – Donna Frances (Heer) Cornelius, 84, of Forreston, passed away June 20, 2021.

She was born Jan. 26, 1937, in Derinda, to John and Mae Heer. After graduating from Elizabeth High School she attended Northern Illinois University. She married Elgin Dale Cornelius on Oct. 11, 1959.

Donna worked as an administrative secretary at Western States in Freeport and Forreston High School. She was a CNA at Pinecrest Manor for over 30 years, retiring at the age of 80.

She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and Faithful Hands Quilting. She was a talented organist, painter, quilter, seamstress, and gardener. She loved plants, music, crossword puzzles, baking, and the Massbach Hills.

She adored animals and traveling, most recently she traveled to Spain and Morocco.

Donna is survived by daughters, Sue Cornelius Johnson (Todd), Holly Funk (Jerry), Heather Cornelius (Jim Norton), and Maria Dierking (Kurt); grandchildren, Haley Bruner (Michael), Taylor Funk, Lucas Dierking, Gabbi Dierking, Cameron Dierking; great granddaughter, Emerson Bruner; sister, Ruth Lyons; brother and sister-in-law Donald and Darlene Cornelius; two god-daughters, Barbra Lyons and Donna Rae Crossno; many nieces and nephews; and two very spoiled felines, Josephine and Katsu.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Rion Dierking; nephew, Doug Cornelius; and a multitude of four legged friends.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 24, at Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston, with Pastor Scott Ralston officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A private interment will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Friends Forever Humane Society in her honor.

CAROL (HEYWOOD) TUTTLE

MT. MORRIS – Carol (Heywood) Tuttle, 92, of Mt. Morris, passed away peacefully and in the presence of family on Monday, June 21, at Serenity Hospice & Home in Oregon.

Carol was born on Oct. 10, 1928, in Chicago, to Oliver Charles Heywood and Dorothy May (Smith) Heywood. Carol grew up in Hinsdale, with her parents and older brother, George.

She was an active girl with a love of the outdoors, camping, swimming, and tennis.

Following her graduation from Hinsdale High School in 1945, Carol proceeded to Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Also attending Carleton College at that time on the GI Bill, was a young man named Don Tuttle from Medford, Minnesota. Following their graduations from Carlton College in 1949, Don and Carol married. They lived in Tucson, Arizona, for a number of years as Don continued his education.

They returned to Illinois in 1951 to start their family, living in Hinsdale, Lombard, and then Elgin. In Elgin she worked as a teacher in the Elgin Public Schools and Elgin Community College and then for a number of years for Ackemann’s Department Store in the Merchandising Department.

Carol was most recently a resident of Pinecrest Village in Mt. Morris. She was an active and devoted member of Faith United Church in Elgin, and most recently at Disciples United Methodist Church in Mt. Morris.

She was an avid Cubs Fan and Bulls Fan. She loved the outdoors, traveling, music, movies, reading, knitting, and spending time with her friends and family.

She is survived by her three children, Susan (Jan Paul) Koeller of Flanagan, Rich (Patti) Tuttle of Naperville, and Donna (Dale) Hoppe of Mt. Morris; and her six grandchildren, Christopher (Marissa) Koeller, Jennifer (Dusty) Gibson, Scott (Stephanie) Tuttle, Chelsea Tuttle, Ross Tuttle, and Kyle Tuttle.

She is survived also by five great-grandchildren, Henry and Matthew Koeller, Grace and Amelia Gibson, and Elliott Tuttle.

Carol was proceeded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother.

The lifelong friendships she created and nurtured through her faith and membership in the church, were among the most important and cherished in her life. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

She will be truly missed by so many.

A memorial service for Carol will be held at Disciples United Methodist Church in Mt. Morris, on Tuesday, June 29. The service will be held at 11 a.m. and will be followed by lunch at the church.

Arrangements were completed by Finch Funeral Home in Mt. Morris.

In lieu of flowers, memorials maybe made in Carol’s name to Disciples United Methodist Church or to Pinecrest Village in Mt. Morris. Any proceeds to Pinecrest Village will go toward improvements to the outdoor patio and garden area where Carol enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

LORENE M. STAMM

FREEPORT – Lorene M. Stamm of Freeport (formerly of Forreston) passed away at Serenity House and Hospice Oregon, on June 18, 2021.

Lorene was a special Christmas gift to Walter and Leatha Wilkens, born on Dec. 25, 1938, in Brookville.

Lorene graduated from Forreston HS and later attended Highland Community College to complete course work in Principles of Bank Management.

Her professional career included 31 years at Forreston State Bank, and she eventually retired from German American State Bank.

Her second career was launched in 1972, when she and Gary purchased acreage to raise and show registered Black Angus cattle. Lorene has many trophies to show for these efforts.

Lorene loved country living and there was not any chore she would not do. The locals often teased Gary about how many steers Lorene owned and cared for; she loved working “the farm” with Gary.

Lorene’s spiritual home was at Faith Lutheran Church, Forreston where she had served on the Church Council and also as a Junior Leader. Her winter church was Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Crosby, Tennessee.

Her free time was spent with oil and ceramic painting. She did not have a family member or friend who had not been blessed with her beautiful and fun ceramic wares.

She also has an amazing collection of chicken salt and pepper shakers from across the US and around the world. Lorene always said she loved her chickens and her cows.

She was a loyal Green Bay Packer fan and danced to country music. She was an active woman; you could find her playing cards and 42, gardening, fishing, and traveling in their camper.

Lorene and Gary wintered at their cabin up on a mountain in the Smokies. She cherished being close to nature with its wildflowers and wildlife; being in the hills close to Heaven.

Lorene is survived by her loving husband, Gary and many heartfelt and caring nephews and nieces, her extended family and wide circle of friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Loren, and Lavern; and her first husband, Kendall Coon.

Visitation will be held on June 28 at Burke & Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston from 4-7 p.m.. Funeral services will be at Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston on June 29 at 11 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the local Cancer Society or to the Ogle County Fair.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.burketubbs.com.

E. ROBERT “BOB” MICHAEL

Lanark – E. Robert “Bob” Michael, 89 and life-long farmer of Lanark, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside of Rockford.

Law-Jones Funeral Home is handling arrangements.