He received his education in the Minooka schools.

He was employed with Grogan Tree Service in Morris, Illinois.

Stephen enjoyed playing horseshoes, golfing, playing pool with his family, and helping his mom and dad work in the yard. He delighted in visiting with his many friends and family, especially his children, Lilliah Justine, Logan Porter, and Logan James.

Surviving are his loving parents, Nellie & Mark Gretz of rural Morris, Illinois; his three children, Lilliah Justine, Logan Porter & Logan James; paternal grandparents, Bonnie & Lawrence Gretz of Mesa, AZ.; two brothers, Gilbert Knowles, rural Morris, IL. and Christopher ( Fiancee, Autumn Connor )  Gretz, Morris, IL.; special aunt, Cissy Gretz, Apache Junction, AZ.; along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Mabel and Alfred Kuykendall, and one uncle, William Kuykendall.

Friends may call on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, where funeral services will be conducted  at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012, with Rev. Todd Thomson of the First Christian Church officiating.  Interment will follow in Aux Sable Cemetery.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Stephen’s honor directed to his family for distribution to local charities of their choosing at a later date.  Online condolences may be made by clicking on Stephen’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call the funeral home at 815-942-0084.

Richard D. “ Ricky “ Warren, 26, of rural Morris, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Friday morning, May 11, 2012, in his home.  He was born on August 8, 1985 in Aurora, Illinois, the son of Richard  Dee & Francine A. Wagner Warren.

He received his education in the Morris schools and graduated from Morris Community High School, where he was a running back on the Redskins football team, with the Class of 2004.

Ricky enjoyed visiting and spending time with his friends, family and especially his nieces and nephews.

Surviving are his parents, Francine ( Tim ) Riley, Elgin, IL. and Brenda Warren, Morris, IL.; four sisters, Lesa ( Jeremy ) Moore of Streator, IL., Sarah ( Robert ) Dix of Minooka, IL., Chloe Eaton of Marion, IL., & Christina Riley of Elgin, IL.;

two brothers, Francis ( Kristin ) Eaton of Earlville, IL., & Airman First Class, Michael Eaton, U.S.A.F. stationed in Virginia; special friends, Jamie, Amanda, & Steve; along with several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded by his father, Richard Dee Warren, on June 30, 2009.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. until time of funeral services at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. Deborah Percell of the First United Methodist Church officiating, at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.  Private family inurnment will occur at a later date.

Memorial gifts in Ricky’s memory can be directed to the family for distribution to local charities of their choosing at a later date.

Online condolences can be extended to his family by clicking on Ricky’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call the funeral home at 815-942-0084.

Mrs. Edward A. ( Mary Jo ) Kussler, 87, of Lincolnshire, Illinois, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, April 29, 2012, in Highland Park Hospital in Highland Park, Illinois. She was born on February 28, 1925 in Morris, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond and Mabel Connor Weimer. 

She received her education in the Morris schools and graduated from Morris High School with the Class of 1942.

Mary Jo married the love of her life, Edward A. Kussler, on August 9, 1944 in Pueblo, Colorado. Together they made their home in Deerfield, Illinois, for 50 years, and for the last 17 years they made their winter home in Sarasota, Florida, where she enjoyed watching the dolphins perform in Sarasota Bay.

She enjoyed painting, art, the botanical gardens, and especially enjoyed spending time with her friends, family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mary Jo was a member of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Deerfield, Illinois, and attended All Angels By The Sea Church in Longboat Key, Florida.

Surviving is her loving husband, Edward A. Kussler of Lincolshire, Illinois,and their three children, Valerie ( John ) Rohrbaugh of St. Louis, Mo., Bobette ( Charlie ) Dodson of St. Charles, IL., and Thomas ( Karen ) Kussler of Cedarburg, WI.; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren, with the third one on the way.

She was preceded by her parents.

Private memorial service and inurnment at Evergeen Cemetery will occur at a later date.  Arrangements have been entrusted to U.C. Davis and Sons Funeral Home LTD., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, 60450.  To leave online condolences for Mrs. Kussler’s family, please click on her name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call the funeral home at 815-942-0084. 

He received his education in the Morris schools and graduated from Morris Community High School and Lewis University.

He served his country in the United States Army from 1953, until receiving his honorable discharge in 1955.

Clyde married Carole M. Mock in 1959, and they resided in Morris, Illinois, for many years before relocating to Houston in 2009, where she passed away in August, 2011.

He was employed as an electrician with Caterpillar in Joliet, Illinois, for over 50 years until his retirement in 2002, and was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers.

Survivors include his four children, Deborah S. ( the late John ) Decker of Humble, TX., Karen I. ( James )  Looper of Coal City, IL., Timothy C. Glenn of Kingwood, TX., and Robin M. ( Marc ) Johnson of Houston, TX.; eight grandchildren, Jamie Bianchetta, Mackenzie Decker, Jennifer Glenn, John Decker II, James Decker, Kristina Looper, Carter Johnson and Caitlin Johnson; along with five great grandchildren.

He was preceded by his parents; wife, Carole; grandson, Colin A. Johnson; and son-in-law, John R. Decker.

Friends may call on Saturday, May 19, 2012  from 9:30 a.m. until time of memorial services, which will honor the lives of Clyde and Carole, at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Edward J. Howe CR of Immaculate Conception Church officiating, at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois.  Inurnment with full Military Honors provided by the Morris Color Guard will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Online condolences can be extended to the family by clicking on Clyde’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

*** Memorial services for Clyde O. Glenn Jr. and his wife, Carole M. Glenn, will be conducted Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, with Rev. Edward J. Howe, CR of Immaculate Conception Church officiating. Inurnment with full military honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. ****

He received his education in the Morris Schools.

He was employed as a deckhand on the river boats that traveled up and down the Illinois River for many years.

George was a true outdoors man who enjoyed fishing, turtle hunting. and hogging.

Surviving are his two children, Ashlie and Adam Yard of Morris, Illinois; his mother, Georgia Flatt of Morris, Illinois; his Fiancee, Alicia Hieman, with whom he made his home, of Morris, IL.; three sisters, Joyce ( Bob ) Seybert of Streator, IL., Shelia Yard and Karen Bernard, of Morris, IL.; two brothers, Edward Mumper III, Morris, IL. and Thomas ( Carol ) Chronister in Indiana;  along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded by his father and maternal & paternal grandparents.

He requested that cremation rites be accorded and there will not be any visitation or funeral service. Private family inurnment will occur at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted with U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, 60450.

Online condolences can be extended to his family by clicking on George’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

Mrs. Ernest ( Irene B. ) Brooks, 83, of Morris, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in her home after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on her family farm, on the Kankakee river, on September 28, 1928, the daughter of Peter and Katherine Weikum Rolando.

She received her education in the Coal City schools and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1946.

Irene married  Ernest A. Brooks on July 3, 1949 in Morris, Illinois.

She was employed at Self Locking Corp. and Sponge Cushion in Morris, Illinois, for many years.

Irene loved to crochet, enjoyed reading, quilting, tending to her flower gardens, and spending time with her many friends and family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Carol ( David ) Severson of Malden, IL., David Brooks, Kevin Brooks, and Foster son, David Keay, all of Morris, IL.; 10 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren, including Cody Yard, whom she raised for several years; two sisters, Ruby Green of Wilmington, IL. and Florence Mitchell of Morris, IL.; one brother, William ( Dorothy ) Rolando of Coal City, IL.; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by her parents; her husband on May 28, 1987; one son, Gary Brooks; three brothers, Clarence, Laverne & Elmer Rolando; and daughter-in-law, Catherine Brooks.

The family wishes to extend a special word of thanks to Joanne Sereno and the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice for their care and help along the way. They also want to extend a special thank you to Gretchen Peterson, Lorrie Huber and Debra Stevens, R.N., mom’s nurse, for all their loving care.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 22, 2012 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home LTD., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, where funeral services will be conducted on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Patrick Lohse of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Irene’s memory to the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, 520 W. Illinois Avenue, Morris, Illinois, 60450.

Online condolences can be made to her family by clicking on Irene’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

Surviving are his loving parents; along with his maternal grandparents, James and Brandy Waite; paternal grandparents, Jaunita & Larry Goetz all of Morris, Illinois; maternal great grandparents, Brenda & David Ayers of Fenton, MI., & Gloria & James Waite of Flint, MI.; maternal great great grandmother, Colleen Ayers of Ionia, MI.; maternal great great grandfather, Paul Harwood of Ionia, MI.; paternal great grandmother, Adel Urban Christ of Horn Lake, MS.; along with several aunts, uncles & cousins.

Graveside services for Master Zane Lyle Urban-Waite will be conducted on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in Evergreen Cemetery with Rev. Scott A. McClellan of the First United Methodist Church officiating.

Arrangements were entrusted with U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, IL. Online condolences can be extend to the family by clicking on his name at the top of this obituary. For further information, please call the funeral home at 815-942-0084.

She received her elementary education in the Burley school in Mazon Township and graduated from Mazon High School with the Class of 1942.

She married the love of her life, Jewel E. Buttry, on February 9, 1943 in Puxico, Missouri.

Georgene was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Marseilles, Illinois.

Surviving are her loving children, Beverly Bailey of DuQuoin, Illinois, Jewel T. ( Roberta Bailey ) Buttry of Morris, Illinois, David ( Debra ) Buttry of Verona, Illinois, and Randy ( Joan ) Buttry of Streator, Illinois; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by her parents; her husband on October 11, 2000; Son-In-Law, Gene Bailey; Daughter-In-Law, Joyce Buttry; and one brother, Tom Davy.

Friends may call on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois, where funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Duane B. Kaufman officiating. Interment will follow in Mazon Cemetery.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Betty’s name to the activity fund at Morris Healthcare & Rehabilitation nursing home. Online condolences can be extended to the family by clicking on her name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

Kenneth E. “ Kenny “ Davis, 49, of Oglesby, Illinois, and formerly Morris, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 9, 2012.  He was born on June 7, 1962 in Morris, Illinois, the son of Donald E. and Margaret Dabbs Davis.

He received his education in the Morris schools.

Kenny married Melanie K. Carlile on December 7, 2007 in LaSalle, Illinois.

Ken was employed as a laborer in construction. He enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, creating offerings for himself and his family. He enjoyed fishing at his favorite spots in LaSalle County, along with spending time with his many friends and family.

Surviving are his is wife, Melanie of Oglesby, Illinois; two children, Jeremy and Sarah Carlile, of Sullivan, Illinois; his father, Don Davis of Oglesby, Illinois; two sisters, Maggie Holcomb, Morris, IL., and Brenda Davis, Davenport, Iowa;

and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his mother on May 28, 1989; two brothers, Rondell and John Davis; one sister, Nora Weathersby.

Friends may call on Friday, April1 13, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. until time of Memorial Services at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Deborah Percell officiating, at U.C. Davis and Sons Funeral Home LTD., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois.  Per the family’s wishes, cremation rites were accorded.

Online condolences can be extended to the family by clicking on Ken’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call 815-942-0084.

Mrs. John ( Mary Ellen “ M. E. “ )  Harder, 89, of Duncan, Oklahoma and formerly of Morris, Illinois, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, April 6, 2012, in her daughters home with whom she resided.  She was born on July 24, 1922 in Herrin, Illinois, the daughter of John and Lola Vinson Yuill.

She was educated in Herrin graduating from Herrin High School with the Class of 1940.  She attended Southern Illinois Normal University & Illinois Wesleyan University.  She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

On June 15, 1944, she married the love of her life, John E. Harder, of Morris, in the Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, California.  All of her adult life was lived in Morris, Illinois, until 2010 when she moved to Duncan, Oklahoma to make her home with her daughter.

Mrs. Harder was employed as Secretary of the Grundy County Chapter of the American Red Cross, a social worker with the Grundy County Office of Illinois Department of Public Aid, and Director of Grundy County Senior Services retiring in 1987.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she had served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday school teacher, President of the Women’s Association, and Circle leader.  She regularly attended the First United Methodist Church in Duncan, Oklahoma, and was involved in many activities there.

M.E. was Past President of the GFWC Morris Jr. Women’s Club, Girl Scout Leader, and member of the Board of Directors of Trailways Girl Scout Council.  She served on the Advisory Council and Board of Directors of the Northeast Illinois Agency on Aging.  She was a longtime member of the Morris Country Club, member of GFWC Owl Club of Duncan, and the Duncan Federated Music Club.

She is survived by her two loving daughters,  Joan ( Jerry “ Andy “ ) Collins of Duncan, OK. and Mary “ Sis “  Harseim of Morris, IL.; five grandchildren, Scott Heakin of Simi Valley, CA., Tracy ( James ) Juengst of Goodyear, AZ., Brian Harseim of Morris, IL., Brent ( Jocelyn ) Harseim of Fisher, IL. and Jennifer ( William ) Mellon of Webster, N.Y.; four great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Juengst, Ella And Gage Harseim, and Samantha Heakin; along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded by her parents; husband on December 4, 1967; two sisters, Edith Davis and twin sister, Helen Brooks, on March 27, 2000; and three brothers, Paul, Harry and Thomas Williams.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 12, 2012, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, Illinois. Mrs. Harder will lie in state from 9:30 a.m., April 13, 2012, until time of funeral services at 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Jackson St., Morris, Illinois, with Rev. John Mattson officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

Serving as her pallbearers will be Scott Heakin, Brian and Brent Harseim, Steve and Christopher Brooks and Jerry Collins. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers, Bruce Brooks, Jim Juengst and William Mellon.

Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Mrs. Harder’s memory to First Presbyterian Church.

Memorial services for Mrs. Harder will be held at a later date in the First United Methodist Church in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Online condolences can be extended to the family by clicking on Mrs. Harder’s name at the top of this obituary.  For further information, please call the funeral home at 815-942-0084.