Alice Marie Brokaw, age 92, of rural Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away December 19, 2020 at her favorite place, her home. She was forever grateful for the many caregivers and family that helped her do that. She loved her wonderful neighbors, community, businesses, health care professionals, clergy, and church.
She was born Nov 20, 1928 to Edmond Joseph and Alice (Boylan) Kane. She attended elementary education at Piper School in Point Pleasant Township, and graduated from Roseville High School in 1946. After high school, she worked as a bookkeeper for Davison Motors in Stronghurst and the Raritan State Bank in Raritan. She married William R Brokaw on Nov 21, 1951 in St Augustine IL.
Alice tended laying hens, raised bucket calves, and weeded soybeans and her vegetable garden. She raised crops with her husband in Henderson County the rest of her life, while raising a family. A lifelong devout Catholic, she was a member of St Patrick Catholic Church, and Altar & Rosary Society, Raritan. She also cared for and looked after neighbors and relatives that were alone in their elderly years. She scheduled events at St Patrick Center, and helped with church bingo and fund raising.
Alice, with her husband, supported the American Legion Auxiliary for many years. She loved listening to WRAM Monmouth radio daily as she tended to the farm and home, and enjoyed visiting on the phone with precious friends and relatives. She was an active supporter of 4-H, FFA, and Farm Bureau. She looked forward to eating ice cream, receiving newspapers, (especially the Henderson County Quill), each week, giving and receiving letters from friends, and attending family reunions.
Survivors include three sons: Joe (Tammy) Brokaw Monmouth, IL, Ray Brokaw (Karen Richardson) Sunbeam, IL, Richard (Wendy) Brokaw, Media IL, one daughter-in-law; Brenda Brokaw, Stronghurst IL, nine grandchildren; Sarah (Ryan) Sextro, Fr. Lee Brokaw, Laura (Ryan) McLaughlin, Theresa Brokaw, Everett Brokaw, Mary (Landry)Williams, Matthew Brokaw, Nicholas Brokaw,and Bridget Brokaw, and four great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Jackson, Cole, & Ezekiel. She was receded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill Brokaw, one brother, Francis Kane, and two sons Paul & Patrick Brokaw.
Friends may call as they desire from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday December 23, 2020 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A private family Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at St Patrick Catholic Church, near Raritan. A public graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 26, 2020 in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Due to the pandemic, those calling at the funeral home or attending the graveside service are asked to where masks and observe social distancing. A memorial fund has been established for St. Patrick Catholic Church. Please visit Mrs. Brokaw’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
Fredrick Leroy Howe, 80, of rural Niota, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at the UnityPoint – Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois. He was born in La Harpe, Illinois at Mary Davier Hospital on July 6, 1940 to Fred Franklin and Dorothy Lucille (Johnson) Howe. He attended Gilead Grade School northeast of La Harpe and Blandinsville High School, and graduated in 1958 from Terre Haute High School.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Jane (Hall) Howe, three daughters: Catherine Ann (Smith) & Darren of Dallas City, Illinois, Trisha Suzanne (Hopper) & Shawn of Fort Madison, Iowa, and Amanda Lucille (Greenhalge) & Christopher of Dallas City; 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild due to arrive in May; one sister, Shirley Poulter of Beverly, Illinois, one brother and faithful friend, Richard Howe of Dallas City, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and family friends from surrounding communities. He is predeceased by 2 sisters, Betty Brewer and Barbara Walters Logan.
Fred served with the United States Navy from 1961 – 1965 as an Electronics Technician, having made three Mediterranean cruises with the 6th fleet aboard an aircraft carrier. He worked for AT&T/Bell System, was self employed in a TV business, and retired from Computer Aided Design (CAD) Engineering.
He loved The Lord, All his family & many friends, nature, and deer & turkey hunting. He possessed great skill with Electronics, Television, Computers, Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, and Plumbing. He shared his love for Bluegrass Gospel Music and his 5 string Bluegrass Banjo and Harmonicas with many friends.
He served the Lord most recently in the River of Life Fellowship in Dallas City, Illinois, and was a Pontoosuc Township Trustee. He was a member of the LaHarpe Masonic Lodge and the Dallas City American Legion.
A private family celebration of Fred’s life will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Pastor Doug Clark officiating. Immediately following, at 11:15a.m., all family and friends are welcome to attend a graveside service, with military rites, at Myers Cemetery, near Niota. No visitation is planned. A memorial fund has been established for the River of Life Fellowship. To leave a condolence and sign the guestbook, please visit Fred’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Matthew Warren Burford, 71, of Fountain Green, Illinois, passed away at 6:40 a.m. Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the UnityPoint – Memorial Hospital in Carthage.
Matthew was born on September 5, 1949 in LaHarpe, Illinois, the son of Cecil Ray and Madelyn Stabler Burford Jr. On March 25, 2004 he married Kimberly Kitchen in Carthage.
Matthew was a graduate of LaHarpe High School. Following high school he worked for IAAP in Burlington for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After his service he spent most of his life driving a truck for Jones Heating & Cooling. He also worked construction in the Chicago and LaHarpe areas.
Matthew was a member of the Carthage VFW and the LaHarpe American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and tinkering on old tractors.
Survivors include his wife, Kimberly; one son, Blaze (Amber) Burford of Knoxville, Illinois; two daughters, Brittany (Terry) Teesdale and Kim (Bill) Raines all of LaHarpe; one step-son, Christafer (Amy) Savage of Keokuk, Iowa; four grandchildren, Reese, Olive, Nora and Bridgette; three step-grandchildren, Cassidy, Aaron and Colbee and one step great-grandchild, Jaxson. Also surviving are two siblings, Susan Pfeiffer of Ft. Madison and Edward (Barbara) Burford of Warsaw, Illinois.
Matthew was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Homes.
A graveside service with Military Rites will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at the LaHarpe Cemetery with Rick Goettsche officiating. A memorial fund has been established for the Ft. Green Fire Department.
To leave a condolence please visit Matthew’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Doris J. Rowland, 93 of Oakview Nursing Home, Burlington passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Great River Medical Center.
She was born July 12, 1927 in Burlington, IA. She was the daughter of Ovid and Helen (Larkens) Polson. She married Charles E. Rowland March 30, 1947 in Peoria, IL. He preceded her in death August 13, 1990.
Doris worked for the Kresge Company and Gemco Company in Peoria, IL. She enjoyed square dancing, quilting, puzzle books, and her country music.
She is survived by one son, Neil (Kathy) Rowland of Blair, OK; four daughters, Sue Elliott (Lou Basso), of Groveland, IL, Denise (Dean) Sweet of Burlington; Sabrina (Ty) Buras of Burlington, and Spring (Trisha Glaha) Buras of Burlington; son-in-law, Larry Johnson of Washington, IL; two brothers, Jack (Linda) Polson of Gladstone, IL, and Paul Polson of Burlington; two sisters, Mary Ann (William) Lukens of Gladstone, IL and Lois Polson of Danville, IA; fifteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a few great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Rita Johnson; three brothers, Richard, Gerald and Frankie; and a son in infancy.
The funeral service for Mrs. Rowland will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 22nd at Lunning Chapel. Charles Mitchell will officiate. Masks and social distancing will be required. The committal service and interment will follow in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens, Peoria, IL. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 21st at Lunning Chapel where family will receive friends.
A memorial has been established for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Martha Wilke, 87, of Burlington, formerly of Wapello, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Oakview Nursing & Rehabilitation of Burlington. According to Martha’s wishes the body has been cremated. There will be no services or visitation. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello is caring for Martha’s arrangements.
Martha is survived by her son Bruce Wilke of Burlington, brother-in-law Bud Hemphill and niece Deb Mellinger both of Mediapolis.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wilke, parents Clay and Irene Clubb, brothers Lyle and Richard Clubb, and sister Gloria Hemphill.
