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Lester Birkhead
Lester Franklin Birkhead, 90, formerly of the Viola area, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at Mercer County Hospital. Lester had been in the extended care unit at the hospital since February. He had lived in the Moline and Rock Island area prior.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Dennison Funeral Homes, Viola, with visitation 10 a.m. to service time. Burial is in Viola cemetery . Memorials may be made to Mercer County Hospital Extended Care.
He was born Sept. 30, 1912, in Jefferson County, Ill., near Mount Vernon, to William and Ida Mae Olomon Birkhead. Lester and his family moved to the Viola area in 1922. He attended Viola High School where he starred in basketball and track.
He married
Marjorie Simpson Sept. 6, 1936. They enjoyed a marriage of 53 years until her death on April 12, 1990.
In 1934 he started working at the Farmall Plant in Rock Island. He retired in 1967 from the International Harvester truck plant in Fort Wayne, Ind.
He enjoyed his work, the farm, his family and athletics.
Lester was a 59-year member of Rock Island Masonic Lodge 57.
Surviving are his sister, Dorothy Birkhead, Viola; brothers and sisters-in-law, William Edwin and Bonnie Birkhead, East Moline, Russell and Jean Birkhead, Monmouth, and Roger and Rachel Birkhead, Aledo; several nieces and nephews have enjoyed the life of Uncle Les. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sister, Gladys.
Richard Bower
William Richard Bower, 76, of Edgington, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at his residence.
A private family graveside service at the Edgington cemetery , will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Richard will be cremated according to his wishes. Esterdahl Mortuary, 6601 38th Ave., Moline, is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to Andalusia Fire Protection District, Andalusia Volunteer Ambulance Service or Rock Island County Meals on Wheels.
Richard was born May 9, 1926, in Coon Rapids, Iowa, the son of Warren and Ethel Reid Bower. He married
Norma Jean Gill June 5, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Richard served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was employed as a laborer by Local 309 of Rock Island, retiring in 1981.
Survivors (and spouses) are his wife, Jean Bower, Edgington; children, Becky (Max) Stark and Gary Bower, both of Andalusia, Dennis Bower, Milan, and Pam Long, Edgington; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis (Bill) Mozena, Golden, Colo., Juanita Shaffer, Cheyenne, Wyo., Bernadine Anderson and Donna Lee (Donald) Sorensen, both of Coon Rapids, and Gloria Zabukover, Colorado Springs, Colo.; He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Pauline Herron; and brothers, Maurice Bower and Jerry Bower.
Marjorie Carlson
Marjorie Carlson, 90, of Geneseo, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at Hillcrest Home, rural Geneseo.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church, Geneseo. The Rev. David Myers will officiate. Burial is in Mizpah cemetery , Geneseo. Visitation is one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the church or Hillcrest Home Patient Activity Fund. Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services, Geneseo, is handling arrangements.
Marjorie Carlson was born March 11, 1912, in Atkinson Township, Henry County, the daughter of Edward and Delia Johnson Carlson. She was raised and educated in Geneseo. Marjorie attended Augustana College, the University of Iowa, Bradley University, and received her master's degree from Western Illinois University.
She taught school in rural Geneseo and then was a music education teacher in the Geneseo school system for many years, retiring in 1974.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Loyal Daughters Sunday school class. She sang in the church Chancel Choir, served as past president of the United Methodist Women and taught Sunday school for the younger children. Marjorie also served as the choir director of First Lutheran Church for many years and the Geneseo Senior Citizens.
She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority, a lifetime PTA member, the Spring Creek Grange, the Geneseo Eastern Star and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a Red Cross Volunteer for many years. She taught piano lessons for many years.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, June Carlson, Geneseo; niece and spouse, Devonne and David DeBrock, Geneseo; and nephew and spouse, Eric and Cathy Carlson, Osco. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Verbena Peterson and Catherine Carlson; and brother, Clifford Carlson.
William Freitag
William Freitag, 70, Bettendorf, died Nov. 21, 2002, at Genesis East.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. James Lutheran, Bettendorf. Burial is in National cemetery , Arsenal Island, with military honors. Visitation is 2-5 p.m. Sunday at McGinnis, Chambers & Sass, Bettendorf, and 9:30 a.m. to services at the church.
He was born July 17, 1932.
Surviving are wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Kathy Skovronski and Lora Gwin, both of Bettendorf, Gail Yates, Stanwood, Iowa, and Ruth Anne Morava, Williams Bay, Wis.; son, Roger, Davenport; 11 grandchildren; and three sisters.
Maybelle Johanssen
Maybelle C. Johanssen, 93, of Bettendorf, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at DeWitt, Iowa, Community Hospital.
Arrangements are pending at McGinnis, Chambers & Sass Funeral Home, Bettendorf.
Richard Johnson
Richard E. Johnson, 74, of Davenport, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at Genesis Medical Center, East Campus, Davenport.
Celebration of Life services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial is in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Richard was born May 20, 1928, in Moline, to Leslie Carl and Ina Evelyn Stephenson Johnson. He married
Mary L. Anderson Aug. 21, 1955, in Davenport.
He retired as a technical writer for Barnes and Reinecke Inc. after five years. He previously worked at the Rock Island Arsenal for 35 years. After retirement he was an active community volunteer.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Davenport, and Doric Masonic Lodge 319, Moline. He served with the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include his wife, Mary; brother, James L. Johnson, East Moline; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.
Carmen Lehenbauer
Services for Carmen M. Lehenbauer, 78, Bettendorf, are 10 a.m. Saturday at Weerts, Davenport. Burial is in Davenport Memorial Park cemetery . Visitation is 4-8 p.m. tonight.
She died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002, in Carbondale, Ill.
Carmen was born Aug. 14, 1924, in Williamson County, Ill., to Herman and Esta Lawrence Kelley. She married
Pryor C. Lehenbauer in 1978, in Davenport. He preceded her in death in 1981.
Surviving are sons, Ronald Cover, Blue Grass, Terry Cover, Norcross, Ga.; two grandchildren; three sisters; and a brother.
Dr. Darwin Leighton
Dr. Darwin H. Leighton, 83, of Bettendorf, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at Trinity Medical Center, North Campus, Davenport.
Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn `Kay' McDermott
Services and Mass of Christian burial for Kathryn E. 'Kay' McDermott, 88, of Davenport, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary cemetery , Davenport.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, where a prayer service will be offered at 6 p.m. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Church or the Parkinson's Foundation.
Mrs. McDermott died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, Davenport.
Kathryn E. Ruefer was born June 23, 1914, in Davenport, a daughter of George A. and Emma T. Moeller Ruefer. She married
John J. McDermott Jr. July 20, 1940, in Davenport. He preceded her in death April 28, 1986.
Mrs. McDermott was employed for several years at the Rock Island Arsenal. She retired in June of 1977.
Her memberships included the church and Ladies of the Moose.
Kay enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the time spent with her three grandchildren.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, John J. 'Jack' and Jayne McDermott III, Bettendorf; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Barry Keefe, Shaker Heights, Ohio; grandchildren, Darren, Matthew and Meghan Keefe; and two very special caregivers, Ruth Merrell and Joyce Brown.
Edward `Babe' Nagle
Edward Fay 'Babe' Nagle, 77, of Davenport, died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus, Davenport.
Services will be 9 a.m. Monday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Davenport. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport, where further arrangements are pending.
Howard `Howdy' Westphal
Services for Howard 'Howdy' Westphal, 83, of Bettendorf, are 3 p.m. Saturday at Weerts, Davenport. Burial is in Davenport Memorial Park cemetery . Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. today.
He died Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002, at his home.
Howard was born March 27, 1919, in Anamosa, Iowa, to John and Ella Westphal. He married
Betty Reely May 9, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Surviving are wife; son, James, Bella Vista, Ariz.; daughters, Dixie Kurtz, Bettendorf, Karen Wanserski, New Berlin, Wis.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Elsie Deyo, Anamosa.
Charles Bowen
Charles E. Bowen, 60, of Rock Island died Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, at his home.
Memorial services are 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Destiny Baptist Church, Rock Island. Larson Funeral Home, Rock Island, handled arrangements. Memorials go to the family.
He was born Aug. 12, 1942, in Quincy, Ill., the son of Jessie and Lena Lewis Bowen.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Cindy Bowen, Burlington, Iowa; sister, Loretta McDonald, Quincy; brothers, Moses Bowen and Martin Jackson, both of Rock Island; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Bernita Claypool
Bernita Olive Claypool, 90, of Rochester, N.Y., died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, at Park Ridge Hospital, Greece, N.Y.
Local arrangements are pending at Hodgson Funeral Home, Rock Island.
Edith Fatland
Edith V. Fatland, 78, of Rock Island died Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, at St. Anthony's Continuing Care Center, Rock Island.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Friday at Rose Hill cemetery , Eagle Grove, Iowa.
Visitation is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Wheelan Funeral Home, Rock Island. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Miss Fatland was born March 19, 1924, in Eagle Grove, the daughter of Sam and Lettie Nelson Fatland. She graduated from Eagle Grove High School and had attended the American Institute of Commerce, Des Moines, Iowa.
Edith had worked as a bookkeeper and retired from the former Freeman-Glickman Furniture Store, Davenport.
She was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed traveling.
Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, A. Jane and Kenneth Wildman, Rock Island; a nephew, Gary Wildman; and a niece, Linda Schmitz. She was preceded in death by a brother, LaVerne Fatland, and sisters, Marguerite and Lottie Fatland.
Loretta Lease
Loretta G. Van Buer Lease, 102, of Rock Island died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, after a brief illness, at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus, Rock Island, with her devoted daughter, Gigi, by her side.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline, where she made her first communion in 1912. Private burial will be Saturday in Kingsbury cemetery , Newton Township, Ill.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Wheelan Funeral Home, Rock Island, where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Mission Oblates Teckawitha Indians.
The former Loretta Van Buer was born Aug. 18, 1900, in Moline, the daughter of Antone and Ellen Brasmer Van Buer. She married
Harold Lester Lease in 1924 in Dixon, Ill. He died in 1963.
Mrs. Lease lived most of her life in Savanna, Ill., and returned to Rock Island in 1974.
She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Savanna. Loretta loved her religion, her family, flowers, birds, reading, history, travel, and keeping busy.
Survivors include her daughter, Gloria G. 'Gigi' Hutt, Rock Island; sisters, Dorothy Holling, Savanna, and Kathryn Bouseman, Sedona, Ariz.; and many nieces, nephews, close friends and neighbors, and special friends Rexie Tyson, Bonnie Virginia and Jennie Mart. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 10 brothers and sisters; son-in-law, Col. Bill Hutt; childhood friend, Raymond; and dear friend, Ben Virginia.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
