Steven J. Shover

Steven J. Shover, 78, of Victoria, passed away at 5:42 a.m., on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Kewanee Care Nursing Home.

Steven was born June 1, 1946, to Jean and Mary Jo (Johnson) Shover. Steven married Cathy Risner on March 11, 1988, in Iowa. She survives.

Steven is also survived by four children, Jason Swedeen of Victoria, Merijo (Eric) Wolfe of Galesburg, Shelley (Todd) Washburn of Victoria, and Ace (Angi) Gaszak of Wataga; two sisters, Jodi (Bill) Ackman and Cathi Shover; fifteen grandchildren, Tyler Swedeen, Zackary Swedeen, Maximus Swedeen, Jeorgea (Rylee) Prim, Logan Swedeen, Hayden Wolfe, Jillian Wolfe, Cameron Guinnee, Jayson Elizondo, Kaylee Elizondo, Logan Washburn, Brandynn (Lindsey) Morrissey, Seth (Mary) Morrissey, Katie (Dalton) Ross, and Hailey Morrissey; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Steven is preceded in death by his parents.

Steven graduated from Knoxville High School. He then served in the Navy from 1967 to 1971; he was a Vietnam veteran. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #0066 for 35 years. He was also a member of the Altona American Legion and Central Illinois A.B.A.T.E. for over 25 years. Steven was a lifelong truckdriver for multiple truck companies. After his retirement, he enjoyed working on the farm and tinkering and building motorcycles, lawn mowers, and four-wheelers. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, and Green Bay Packer fan.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at the American Legion in Knoxville, IL. 

Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.

To leave online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Betty J. Fitch

Betty Fitch, 72, of Canton, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Carle Methodist Hospital in Peoria with her family by her side.

She was born on January 17, 1952 in Canton to Thomas and Betty (Schuman) Clark.

She married Russell Fitch on January 27, 1968 in Canton. He preceded her in death along with one daughter, Carrie Fitch-Wheeler, two sisters, Joyce Bearden, Lula Burgess, half-sister, Evelyn Chaney, one brother Steve Clark and half-brother, August Clark.

Surviving are two daughters, Laura (Roger) Smith of Canton, Sherri Fitch-Smith of Canton, four sisters, Janice (Peter) Archibeque of AZ, Jeanetta (Art) Malone of Canton, Alice Smith of Canton, JoAnn Pratt of Canton, three grandchildren, Caitlynn Fitch, Benjamin Wheeler, Abigail Wheeler, three great grandchildren, Mercedes Pasley, Leo Pasley, Blaine Wheeler and many nieces and nephews.

She was a proud mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved spending time with family and friends. She will be missed by all of us. She may be gone but in our hearts forever.

Cremation rites have been accorded through Oaks-Hines Funeral Home and Crematory in Canton. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. To leave online condolences, please visit oakshinesfuneralhome.com

Bonnie Lee Hamilton

Bonnie Lee Hamilton, 91, of Camp Point, IL, passed away at 12:32 AM on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Accolade Healthcare in East Peoria, IL. She was born on June 17, 1933 in Canton, IL to Ransom and Harriett (Westerfield) Cole.

She is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Jack) Helton and Angela Pichon; four grandchildren, Kaziah Cole, John “Chris” (Jessica) Martin, Melissa (Marco) Escribano; and Gary Fawcett; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and one friend, Ed Tjaden.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Bonnie was of Catholic faith. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, crotchet, knitting, and cooking. She loved family gatherings and cookouts.

Celebration of life and burial at Highbridge Cemetery in Dunfermline, IL will be held at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded with Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Memorials may be made to the Fulton County Humane Society. To leave an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com

Leann Baum

Leann Baum, 65, of Pekin Illinois, formerly of Ipava for most of her life, went home to hug Jesus Saturday September 7th. She was surrounded by loved ones at her daughter’s home in Pekin. Leann was born February 6, 1959 to Robert and Joann Baum, they survive.

Leann left behind her beloved son Robert Baum (Peoria,IL) and devoted daughter Rachel Bucher (Pekin, IL). Also surviving are her loving mother and father Robert and Joann Baum of Ipava, and beloved sisters Janie (Paul) Bohm of Rock Springs WY, Janet (Rick) Klinedinst of Canton IL, Debbie (Don) VonKannon of Omaha NE and Cindy (Rafal) Olszewski of Lincoln IL. Also several nieces and nephews that she loved dearly, as well as the Zinks!

Leann graduated with her Associate and Applied Degree in Electronic Technology from Spoon River College in 1995 and worked at NTN Bower for the last 27 years.

Leann was known for her baking and cooking skills. Always making something to give away whether it be at work or for a fund raiser for the church or other organizations.

Leann also loved embroidering quilts of all sizes from babies to adults.

Leann lived a life full of love, laughter, forgiveness and strength! She fought and won the battle of cancer for the last 18 years and was so proud to profess if it wasn’t for her daughter Rachel that would’ve never been possible. Leann’s faith and belief of the Lord grew so strong she joined an at home bible study and was very dedicated to her daily devotionals up until she couldn’t.

Leann found the good in every person she came across and had the most supportive extended family at her work, NTN Bower. She always called them, “My Boys” and they would call her, “Mama Leann”.

Leann will be dearly missed by friends and family.
She will be remembered by her kind smile and positivity.

Services will be held on Monday, September 16th at 10:00 am at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria, Illinois. Pastor Drew Klinedinst will officiate. Visitation will take place on Sunday, September 15th from 4-6 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Ipava Cemetery. Memorials in Leann’s memory may be given to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Illinois Chapter.

Donald E. Oest

Donald E. Oest, 87, of Havana passed away at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at Allure of Knox County in Galesburg, Illinois. He was born on February 25, 1937 in Mason County to John and Anabelle (Koehne) Oest.

Don is survived by two sons, Christopher (Angie) Oest of Canton and Daniel Oest of Macomb; three grandchildren, Riley Oest, Kendall Oest, and Emily Oest; sister-in-law, Bessie Oest of Lewistown; several nieces and nephews; friend, Jill Oest of Ft. Meyers, Florida; and special friend, Imogene Eilers of Chandlerville. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, John, Vernon, Alvin, and Kenneth.
Don attended Matanzas Grade School (one room) in Mason County, which included all eight grades. He then attended Bath Lynchburg High School, graduating with the class of 1954 at the age of 17.
Having been raised as a farm boy, he loved to farm, cutting brush and trees on the farm, and raising cattle. He grew fruit trees and prized blackberries. He liked to play pool and golf. He spent several winters in Florida and belonged to the Break-A-Leg Toastmasters group.
Before being hired at the International Harvester plant, Don worked at Niederer Funeral Home in Havana because you had to be 18 years of age to work in a factory. He was hired at 18 at IH, and was soon drafted into the U.S. Army service in the 18th Airborne Company as a Combat Paratrooper, with a total of 6 years (1957 to 1963). He returned to International Harvester in 1959 and worked until 1983 when the plant closed. In 1984 he transferred to the IH Springfield, Ohio Truck Assembly location until 1986.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Hurley Funeral Home in Havana, with a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Rev. Brian Lesemann will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana. VFW Post #6408 and American Legion Post #138 will provide Military Detail.
Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to the Lane A. Evans VA Clinic in Galesburg or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Online condolences can be left for his family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Hurley Funeral Home in Havana is in charge of arrangements.

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