Obituaries

Aug 8, 2025

Franklin Eugene Smith, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, August 8, 2025 at The Pavilion of Ottawa, with his family by his side.

Following his wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory.

Franklin was born February 21, 1937 in Chicago, IL to Russell and Mildred...

Aug 3, 2025

Laurie Lynn Jessen, 68, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, August 3, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 7, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A prayer service will follow at 7:00pm. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery at a later date.

Laurie...

Jul 30, 2025

Patrick Sean Nagle, 70, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the home that he dearly loved.  Patrick was born on July 23, 1955 to the late Rosemary (Schwarzbach) and Robert Nagle.  He is proceeded in death by the love of his life and wife of 45 years, Shelly Sue (Holsinger) Nagle and Mary Lynn & Bill Holsinger, brothers...

Jul 29, 2025

Michael "Mike" Bruce, 69, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at his home.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 9, at the Knights of Columbus, 401 W Main St, Ottawa, IL 61350, with a service at 12:30 pm and luncheon immediately following. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home....

Jul 29, 2025

Wayne Wiesbrock, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, from 11:00am until 12:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 12:00pm at the funeral home. Private burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

...

Jul 25, 2025

Lance Charles Gabehart, 65 years of age, passed on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL.

Lance was born May 28, 1960 in Ottawa, IL. to Charles and LaVon (Bonnie Saltsman) Gabehart. He was the oldest of four boys and lived his entire life in Marseilles IL. He spent his work career...

Jul 23, 2025

Larry Ernest Malaise, 83, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Following his wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Larry was born April 1, 1942, in Ottawa, IL to Ernest and Evelyn (Holloway) Malaise. He married...

Jul 17, 2025

Gary James Morgan, born October 6, 1951 in Chicago, IL, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025 in Seneca.

Jul 17, 2025

E. June Walleck, 85, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, at Pleasant View.

June was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on May 11, 1940, to Ray and Blanche (Gumm) Peters. She was a proud graduate of Ottawa High School, where she mastered Gregg's Shorthand system. Her first job was working for First National Bank, and...

Jul 16, 2025

Paul Nelson Ringer Sr., 87, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

Following his wishes, no services will be held. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. Paul was born October 1, 1937, in Deer Park Township to Paul...

Jul 15, 2025

Jane Lynn Catron, age 65 of Paris, TN, passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Paris, TN.

Jane was born March 16, 1960, in Ottawa, IL, to Sally Curtin Wright, who survives of Ottawa, IL, and the late Merle Cox.

On June 8, 1985, she married Robert James “Jim” Catron, who survives of Paris,...

Jul 14, 2025

Jim “Peff” Pfeffer, 80 of Seneca, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Morris Hospital with his beloved wife by his side.

Following Jim’s wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory.

Jim was born November 1, 1944, in Ottawa, IL to the late Bernard...

Jul 10, 2025

Patricia Mary Nugent, age 86, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on July 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren.

Mary (Patricia) was born on February 15, 1939, in Steuben, Wisconsin. She was the first of two children born to Michael and Genevieve Friar. She spent her formative years in Steuben and...

Jun 28, 2025

Mary Marlene Stillwell, 89, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, at the Pavilion of Ottawa. She was born on March 31, 1936, in Ottawa, the daughter of Harry Frederick and Catherine (Kettman) Clark. Marlene lived a full and vibrant life that spanned nearly 90 years.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1,...

Jun 26, 2025

Richard Paul Ceja, 89, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 3, from 10:00am until 12:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 12:00pm at the funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow in Oakwood Memorial...

Jun 25, 2025

Kathleen Shea, 68, of Naplate, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

A visitation will be held on Monday July 7, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 7:00pm. The family requests that visitors wear bright, vibrant clothing in memory of Kathleen’s beautiful soul. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa...

Jun 23, 2025

Kevin Jon McAlpine, 64, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. A celebration of Kevin's life will be held on July 20 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm at the VFW at 1501 La Salle St, Ottawa, IL 61350.

Jun 21, 2025

James Marshall Despain Sr., 82, of Wedron, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025 at The Pavilion of Ottawa.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 27, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Private burial services will be held at DeBolt Cemetery.

Jim was born January 16, 1943, in Ottawa, IL to Everett...

Jun 19, 2025

Carol Travi, 85, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, adventure, and community spirit.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June, 27 at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa, with a Christian ceremony to follow immediately.

She was preceded in death by...

Jun 12, 2025

Thomas J. Nugent, age 85, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

Tom was born on August 24, 1939, in Boscobel, Wisconsin, the third of four children born to Claire and Nora Nugent. He spent his formative years in Boscobel, where he met the love...