Obituaries

May 10, 2018

David William Babcock, 61, of East Galesburg, died after a five-year battle with heart disease on Thursday, May 10, 2018, 7:02 PM, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. Born on July 1, 1956 in Monmouth, Illinois, he was the son of Earl and Betty Lou (Blair) Babcock. He married the love of his life, Tina Riley, on February...

May 7, 2018

Patricia L. Thompson, 58, of Peoria, formerly of Galesburg, died at 6:41 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2018 at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Spring Valley, IL. Patty was born July 9, 1959 in Canton, IL. She is survived by one son, Joseph (Amanda) Thompson of Bourbonnais; one daughter, Breanna Thompson of Galesburg; three granddaughters, Emma Thompson, Alayah and Arianna Walker; and...

May 3, 2018

Boone, formerly known as David Franklin Mahnesmith, Jr., died May 3, 2018, 1:45 pm, at the University of Iowa Veterans Hospital.  Boone was born on June 4, 1960. He was the son of David F. Mahnesmith, Sr and Pamela S. Sholl. He is survived by his siblings, William (Angela) Mahnesmith of Galesburg, Larry Mahnesmith of Versalles, MO, Clayton Mahnesmith...

May 2, 2018

William James “Billy” Johnson, 59, of Galesburg, died on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 9:18 am, at his home in Galesburg.  Billy was born on May 31, 1958. He was the son of James and Evelyn (Parmenter) Johnson. He married Mary Varnold in Galesburg, November of 1995. She preceded him in death on July 25, 2015. Billy is survived by...

Apr 30, 2018

Gert Bent, 96, of Galesburg, died at 6:23 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2018 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg. Gert was born May 21, 1921 in Macomb, the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Clark) O’Donnell. She married Oliver D. “Cy” Bent on October 11, 1944 in Bushnell. He preceded her in death on September 14, 1963. Gert is survived by two...

Apr 27, 2018

Elsye Frantz, 93, of Dahinda, died at 5:10 a.m. Friday, April 27, 2018 at Heartland Health Care and Rehab, Galesburg. Elsye was born March 29, 1925 in St. Joe, Michigan, the daughter of Franz and Aurelia (Wellsandt) Endt.  She is survived by two daugthers, Robin (Joe) Kunzer of Dahinda and Corey Frantz of Naples, FL;one son, Bob Frantz of...

Apr 25, 2018

Apr 23, 2018

Leilani Mae Carson, infant daughter of Trimaine Carson and Autmn Fletcher, was born a quiet birth, Monday, April 23, 2018 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. Leilani is survived by her parents of Monmouth; a brother, Silas Carson; and two sisters, Sofia Dixon and Anyah Carson. She is also survived by paternal grandmother, Lanisha Carson of Portland, OR,...

Apr 22, 2018

Alice Kay Vacca, 52, of Galesburg, died at 10:12 p.m. Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Galesburg. Alice was born on June 6, 1965 in Galesburg, the daughter of Roy Ray and Helen Christine (McLaren) Beaty.  She married Melvin Knipe.  She later married John Vacca.  Alice is survived by one son, Matthew Knipe of Galesburg; one daughter, Katie Knipe of...

Apr 18, 2018

Debra Kay Rodriguez, 63, of Galesburg, died at 11:23 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in the emergency room at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg. Debbie was born December 8, 1954 in Galesburg, the daughter of Clair Henry and Frances Josephine (Miner) Stremmel. She married Steven Rodriguez on October 16, 1971 in East Galesburg. Debbie is survived by her...

Apr 13, 2018

Pamela Sue Petty, 63, of Galesburg, died at 9:20 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2018 at her son’s home in Abingdon. Pam was born November 19, 1954 the daughter of Loren Everett and Evelyn Jean (Uhren) Petty. She is survived by one son, Lance (Samantha) Petty of Abingdon; one daughter, Marchalle M. (Jon Wintheiser) Petty of Galesburg; five grandchildren, Kayla...

Apr 11, 2018

Richard Leo “Dick” Traff, 77, of Wataga, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2018, in Galesburg. Dick was born October 30, 1940, in Galesburg to Paul E. and Dorothy D. (Ballard) Traff. He lived in various cities in Central Illinois, including the Quad Cities and Galesburg. He lived in Wataga for the last 40 years of his life. He loved...

Apr 11, 2018

Ellen Jekabson, 81, of Galesburg, died at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at the Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville. Ellen was born October 30, 1936 in Latvia, Russia.  She attended Chicago area schools.  SHe is survived by one daugther, Jennifer Winter of Wisconsin along with one granddaughter, Fina Brockman of Florida. Visitation will be 10:30 am to 11...

Apr 1, 2018

Jenni Marie McGruder, 26, loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, died early Sunday morning April 1, 2018 in Galesburg, due to a senseless act of gun violence. Jenni was born March 28, 1992 in Galesburg, the daughter of Scott W. and Vicki L. (Wolbers) Howe. Jenni married Michael D. McGruder on July 16, 2014 in Clearwater, FL;...

Mar 31, 2018

Mar 30, 2018

Mona Belle Land Tourlentes, 89, Galesburg, Illinois, died Friday evening, March 30, 2018, at home, with loved ones by her side. For years, she was very grateful for the many people, who made it possible to receive care at home. As a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, musician, teacher, artist, and citizen, she was always joyful, enthusiastic, and compassionate. And...

Mar 29, 2018

Richard “Dick” Keith Kisler, 85, of Galesburg, died at 5:20 a.m. Thursday, March 29, 2018 at Heartland Health Care and Rehab, Galesburg. Dick was born January 10, 1933 in New Boston Twp, the son of Ralph H. and Anna Hazel (Leahigh) Kisler.   He married Colleen Foote on October 16, 1954 at St. Catherine’s Church in Aledo. She survives of...

Mar 28, 2018

Raymond Leroy “Butch” Smith, 81, of Galesburg, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 2:40 PM, at his home. Butch was born on October 4, 1936 in Monmouth, Illinois. He was the son of Oren and Mildred (Sowers) Smith. He married the love of his life, Bette McGahey on May 8, 1956 in Galesburg. She...

Mar 25, 2018

Yvonne Delores Dobbins, 66, of Galesburg, died at 10:37 a.m. Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Marigold Health Care and Rehabilitation, Galesburg. Yvonne was born October 5, 1951 in Battle Mountain, NV, the daughter of Leonard Floyd Norvise and Lee Radar.  Yvonne is survived by her mother, Lee Moore; one daughter, Jennifer Douglass of Galesburg; a son, Derek Dobbins of...

Mar 25, 2018

Leila May Walker, 78, of Galesburg, died at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, March 25, 2018 at home. Leila was born November 11, 1939 in Helena, AR, the daughter of Joseph and Robbie (Lewis) Johnson. Leila is survived by her companion of 36 years, William Perry of Galesburg; five sons, John (Virginia) Johnson, George Johnson, Raymond Walker, Michael Walker, and Joseph...