Obituaries Wednesday February 27th

Peter Ferenczy, age 68 of rural Gladstone, Illinois died Monday February 25, 2013 at his home. He was born June 22, 1944 in Budapest, Hungary, the son of Dr. Peter and Anne Boros Ferenczy. To avoid the invading Russian army, his family fled Hungary in 1945 and lived in Displaced Persons’ Camps in the British Zone of Germany until 1950. They then immigrated to the United States, where his father first practiced medicine in Pensacola, Florida, and then later in Keithsburg, Illinois. Peter attended the RooseveltMilitaryAcademy in Aledo, Illinois, and graduated from AledoHigh School in 1962. He then received a B.A. degree from the University of Iowa in 1966.

Having started his career in the retail of men’s clothing, he switched to jewelry sales, working for Cartier in Chicago. In 1990, he relocated to Alexandria, Virginia and transferred to Tiffany’s in Chevy Chase, where he worked until his retirement.

Mr. Ferenczy is survived by his companion of thirty nine years, Thomas L. Pullen of rural Gladstone, IL., two uncles, two nieces, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Suzie, both in the United States and Hungary.

After the fall of the Communist government, he made many trips back to Hungary and Romania to visit with the portion of the family who remained there.

Peter was a gourmet cook, loving nothing more than entertaining on a small or large scale. Throwing parties, for folks to enjoy, was his way of saying thank you to others for their friendship and kindness. He had the good fortune to be able to travel widely, picking up recipes and friends as he went; although he did not suffer fools or badly prepared meals under any circumstances.

No visitation or immediate services are planned at this time. Cremation rites have been accorded. A graveside service will be held in the OquawkaCemetery at a later date. A memorial fund, to be designated later, has been established. Contributions may be sent in care of Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 299, Stronghurst, Illinois61480. Condolences may be left online at http://www.banksandbeals.com/.

Lemoyne Edward ‘Bear’ Witte, age 81, of rural Morning Sun, died Monday evening, February 25, 2013, at his home.  The son of Edward and Zella Wells Witte, he was born on October 18, 1931 at his lifetime farm, rural Morning Sun.  He married Marjorie Eibes on September 1, 1952 in Burlington.

Lemoyne graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1949.  He served in the US Air Force.  He was a farmer on the family farm throughout his life.  He loved travelling and spending winters in Florida.  He enjoyed designing and building structures including his farm buildings and his home.  He also enjoyed woodworking.

He was a member of the American Legion at Mediapolis and the Eagle’s and Moose both of Burlington.

His family includes his wife, Marjorie; his daughter, Sherry Black-Primmer and husband, Ernie, of Cedar Rapids; his two grandsons, Roman and Spencer Wheatley; a sister, Fern Louise Swanson of Morning Sun and Fort Meyers Beach, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Stephanie Wheatley; and a sister, Duella Robertson.

The funeral ceremony for Lemoyne Witte will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Mediapolis with Pastor Earlene Lekwa officiating.  Burial will follow at the Kossuth Cemetery, Mediapolis.

The family will meet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Mediapolis.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the benefit of the Great River Hospice.