Obituaries

Dec 9, 2023

Oreonia LaShay Jackson, aged 23, illuminated the lives of those around her with her gentle soul and loving kindness. Born on July 11, 2000, in Galesburg, Illinois, Oreonia was a constant source of joy and inspiration to her family and friends. On December 9, 2023, she passed away peacefully in Iowa City, Iowa, leaving behind a legacy of warmth...

Dec 8, 2023

Michael D. Norris, 62, of Galesburg, died on December 8, 2023, in Galesburg, Illinois. Born on September 6, 1961, in Clearwater, Florida, to Clyde D. and Joyce E. (Rigs) Norris, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew him.

Professionally, Mike dedicated 15...

Dec 4, 2023

SSGT Michael L. Welsh, 72, of St. Robert, Missouri, died Monday, December 4, 2023 in St. Robert.

Mike was born May 22, 1951 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of William R. and Virginia Ann (Bradford) Welsh. Following high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving 4 years. After being home for a...

Dec 3, 2023

Lester Alen Friend, 79, of Galesburg, Illinois, died suddenly, Sunday, December 3, 2023 at home.

Les was born September 23, 1944 in Joliet, Illinois to Louis L. and Irene (Krall) Friend. Shortly after high school, Les began working in baggage for Burlington Northern Railroad. His career spanned 40 years, retiring in 2004 as a clerk...

Dec 3, 2023

Lynette “Lynn” Marie Fields, 63, of Galesburg, Illinois, passed away Sunday December 3, 2023 at home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born March 13, 1960 in Dubuque, Iowa to Elmer and Mary Ann Luensmann. She was raised on a farm outside of Farley, Iowa. Lynn attended school at St. Joseph’s in Farley, and graduated from...

Dec 2, 2023

Janice (Jan) Jordan, 84, passed away on December 2, 2023, just thirteen days before her 85th birthday.

Jan was born December 15, 1938 to James and Virginia (Armstrong) Robertson. She was the youngest of four siblings: Betty Meyerson, Bill Robertson, and Jim Robertson, all preceding her in death. Jan was married briefly to the love...

Dec 1, 2023

Ellen Louise Wignall, 83, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Altona, Illinois, died at 7:50 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2023 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.

Ellen was born March 15, 1940 in Galesburg, the daughter of Laurence and Agatha (Trone) Mitchell. Ellen first married Willard Weedman. Together they had five children. They later divorced. Ellen married Richard...

Dec 1, 2023

Lisa Ann Steinbach,57, a heartwarming presence bound by kindness and intelligence, passed away in her home in Galesburg, Illinois on December 1, 2023. Born to Lyla Hamilton and Gerald Reed on June 12, 1966, in Rock Island, Illinois, Lisa's life was a beacon of love and devotion to her family and faith.

Lisa's journey was...

Nov 30, 2023

William Edward Sandidge, 76, of Galesburg, Illinois, died November 30, 2023 at home. Bill was born June 21, 1947 in Galesburg to the late Eugene F. and Lillian J. (Snook) Sandidge.

Not long after graduating from high school, Bill enlisted in the US Army serving from 1966 until he was honorably discharged in 1972. Bill...

Nov 28, 2023

Donald Edward Billups, 71, of Galesburg, died at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg.

He was born January 6, 1952, in Galesburg, the son of George Edward and Mary Louise (Stickle) Billups. His mother Mary passed away at the time of his birth and Don was later raised by...

Nov 21, 2023

Kevin Earl Boone, 67, of Galesburg, died at 2:55 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, surrounded by his family at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born June 1, 1956 in Galesburg, the son of Earl Francis and Marjorie Nora Ann (Crouse) Boone. Kevin was reared and educated in Galesburg, graduating from...

Nov 20, 2023

Dolores “Dolly” Madeline Roberts, 97, of Galesburg, Illinois died November 20, 2023 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. She was the daughter of Clarence Arthur and Marie Lillian (Hladky) Mack, born in the family home in Wymore, Nebraska on December 28, 1925.

Dolores grew up on a farm in Southeast Nebraska. As...

Nov 20, 2023

Bonnie Kay Breeden (Gibson) passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 4:57pm.

She was born January 19th, 1945. She was proceeded in death by her father William Gibson and mother Katherine Gibson (Knolls). Bonnie was an officer in the Salvation Army Corps. After leaving officership she...

Nov 18, 2023

Malik E Austin was born on November 15, 1996 at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg Illinois to Natasha Trent and Lamont Austin. Malik was born on his mother’s birthday and the one who first gave Natasha the title of mother, the only gift his mother received that year. Coming in at 8 pounds and 13 ounces. We were all excited...

Nov 15, 2023

Roger Keith Meeker, 75, born June 21, 1948, in Hutsonville, Illinois, died November 15, 2023, in Galesburg, Illinois.

Roger was a proud veteran, having honorably served in the US Army from 1966 to 1969, stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, in the barracks his father-in-law had built. He carried this acquired discipline and commitment into his professional...

Nov 13, 2023

Ruth Marie Nelson, 93, of Galesburg, Illinois, died November 13, 2023 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.

Ruth was born at home in rural McDonough County, Illinois on October 15, 1930 the daughter of Floyd “Mike” and Lucille Ruth (Nordgren) McNeil. After graduating from high school, Ruth went on to graduate from Brown’s Business...

Nov 10, 2023

John Michael Horaney, 75, peacefully died in Galesburg, Illinois, the place of his birth, on November 10, 2023. He was born on February 14, 1948, to the late Robert W. and Rosemary (Tederman) Horaney.

John received his high school diploma from Corpus Christi High School in 1966, and later gained a bachelor’s degree in business...

Nov 8, 2023

On November 8, 2023, Lynette Lombard, 69, of Galesburg, IL and Glenford, NY, passed away peacefully with her beloved husband Tony Gant by her side, after a courageous 20 month battle with glioblastoma.

Lynette was born in Newton, Massachusetts to the late June H. (Leshynska) and Peter A. Lombard, and grew up in the Boston...

Nov 7, 2023

Susan Kay (Bruington) Unger passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Susan was born on October 26, 1939 to Lorene L. (Herod) and Reimer W. Bruington in Monmouth, IL.

Susan married the love of her life, Charles E. Unger on August 30, 1957 in Alexis. Their marriage was blessed with...

Nov 6, 2023

Ronald Eugene Freeman, Jr., 55, of Galesburg, died on Monday, November 6, 2023 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg surrounded by his family.

He was born May 15, 1968 in Sycamore, Illinois, the son of Ronald Eugene and Jane Ellen (Hopkins) Freeman, Sr. After graduating from high school, Ron joined the United States...