Sammy Lorraine (Wallace) Blender, 83, of Raritan, Illinois, passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. She was born September 5, 1935 in Raritan, the daughter of Leo and Martha (Walker) Wallace. On June 20, 1954, she married James Blender in the Raritan Baptist Church.
Mrs. Blender was a 1953 graduate of Media-Wever High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Monmouth College in 1970. She taught for twenty five years in the Burlington, Iowa school system, teaching the majority of time at Apollo and Oak Street Schools. She served as Raritan village trustee for over thirty years, and was a member of the Stronghurst Senior Citizens and the Raritan Firemen’s Auxiliary. She was a lifelong member of the Raritan Baptist Church, where she served as moderator, Sunday school teacher, and in numerous other capacities. She was also a member of the King’s Daughters Association of the church.
Sammy enjoyed traveling, baking pies for her family, playing dominoes, cards and games, and mowing the grass, when she was able. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally.
Survivors include her husband of sixty four years, one daughter, Jodi (Dave) Purlee of Mt. Carroll, IL, one son, Jay (Rhonda) Blender of Raritan, five grandchildren, Rob (Jenna) Purlee, Janel (Ryan) Bast, Kelly Purlee, Brandy (Tanner) Bigger, and Brent Blender, five great grandchildren, Carson and Kate Purlee, and Sami, Max, and Drew Bast, one sister, Ruth (Orlin) Olsen of Raritan, IL, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one great granddaughter, Aubrey Bigger, two sisters, Wanda Denton and Babe Stull, and two brothers, LeRoy and Jolly Wallace.
Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday March 5, 2019 in the Raritan Baptist Church, with Pastor Dan Siems officiating. Burial will be in the Raritan Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Raritan Baptist Church. Please visit Sammy’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a remembrance.
Mr. John Wayne Fisher, 81, of Dallas City, IL died at 5:15AM Saturday, March 2, 2019 at his home.
He was born August 4, 1937 in Vandalia, MO, the son of Harold and Laura Mae Fisher.
John grew up and attended school in Vandalia, Mo. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 45 years, retiring as an engineer. He also farmed near Pontoosuc, IL. He was an antique car and tractor enthusiast, enjoyed collecting coins and loved to go mushrooming.
Surviving are two sons, Donald (Mary Ann Purvis) Fisher of Lomax, IL and David (Clara Hnap) Fisher of Fort Madison, IA, three daughters, Darla Susi Fisher of Niota, IL, Niki (Eric Christenson) Fisher of Tucson, AZ and Johnna Jayne Fisher of Dallas City, six grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, one brother, Jim Fisher of Washington state and one sister, Judy Neimeyer of Jacksonville, IL.
John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jerry Fisher.
The family will meet with friends to celebrate John’s life on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 2:00 until 4:00PM at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City. A memorial fund has been established for the Lee County Hospice. A memorial service will be held at 3:00PM Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Kingdom Hall in Montrose, IA. To leave a condolence, please visit John’s obituary at banksandbeals.com
Betty Jane Rosenow, 85, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away at 8:05 a.m. Saturday March 2, 2019 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. She was born June 27, 1933 in Carman, Illinois, the daughter of Myron and Garnett (Hehr) Waddell.
Betty was a licensed practical nurse and worked at Burlington Care Center for many years, retiring in 2000. After retirement, she worked at Casey’s Convenience Store in Burlington for four years. She loved to cross-stitch, play bingo, and was an avid collector of “Betty Boop” memorabilia.
Survivors include one daughter, Peggy (Keith) Hancock of Media, IL, two grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Linda Sue Peavey, one grandson, Henry Edward “Jack” Forquer Jr, and eight brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday March 6, 2019 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Cremation rites will be accorded following visitation. A memorial has been established for Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. Please visit Betty’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a remembrance.
Nancy Lou Moore, 73, of Burlington, died at 12:44 AM Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born June 15, 1945, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Maurice and Adra Harrison Shipley. On August 1, 1964, she married Henry J. Moore in Burlington; he passed March 31, 1987.
Nancy was a homemaker. She also worked as a bar tender for The Dugout, Hot Toddies, and The Broadway.
Nancy enjoyed quilting, crafts, gardening, cooking and jewelry. She also enjoyed taking road trips, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her son, Tom (Cyndi) Moore of Burlington; daughter, Jodie (Mike Clem) Moore of Burlington; grandchildren: Maggie (Jared) Johnson, Colten (Taylor) Moore, Courtney Moore, Tori Moore and Tucker Moore; great-grandchildren: Ony’Khah, Keoni and Sawyer; brothers, Otis (Peggy) Shipley of Carman, IL, Tom (Elaine) Shipley of Polk City, IA, and Jim Shipley of West Burlington; sisters, Lora Parks of Macomb, Velma (George) Johnson of Burlington, Judy (Doug) Coyle of Middletown, and Rhonda (Mike) Miller of West Burlington; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Francis “Johnny” Shipley and Larry Shipley, and one sister, Carolyn Herman.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Moore will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Harrison officiating. Entombment will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Great River Hospice House.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Nancy’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Gloria G. Ringblum-Runyon, 92, of Burlington, died at 1:08 PM Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born May 15, 1926, in Mediapolis, she was the daughter of Paul W. and Frances Sorber Jones. In May 1946, she married Charles Ringblum and they later divorced, he passed away on February 9, 1975. In August 1966, she married William Runyon. He passed away on February 13, 2013.
Gloria was mainly a homemaker, but she also worked at the Burlington Golf Club and in the late 1940’s she worked at the I.A.A.P.
She was a New London High School graduate.
Gloria enjoyed crocheting, gardening and feeding birds. She loved snuggling babies and attending grandchildren’s activities and family parties.
Survivors include three sons, Jay Ringblum, Ronald Ringblum and Damon Runyon all of Burlington; two daughters, Vicky (Russ) Hull and Robin (Bob) Ghrist both of Burlington; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Bonnie Davis of Davenport; eight nieces and nephews; pet bird “Sunny”.
Besides both her former husbands, Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Darlene Dumse-Lant and Goldie Cook.
The memorial service for Gloria will be 1:00 PM Friday, March 8, 2019, where the family will receive friends prior to the service at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Chaplain David Plooster officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Gloria’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
