All Obituaries

Wilson Keys, 68, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Crescent Care of Elgin. He was born December 6, 1957, in Aurora, IL, the son Hobart and Georgia (Hale) Keys. Wilson married Cathy Marlow and she preceded him in death in 2018. Wilson was a professional caddie for many years working at many different golf clubs across the country.  He collected diving watches, enjoyed bicycle riding and oil painting.  You may have seen him sipping a Pepsi and smoking a ...

Lavon “Whitey” White, 82, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Monday, June 8, 2026, at his home. He was born November 22, 1943, in Delaplaine, Arkansas, the son of Carmel and Vera (Broom) White. Whitey married Ginger “Midge” Harrelson on December 1, 1961, Sandwich, Illinois. Whitey was employed at Northern Illinois Finance in DeKalb and was a salesman for various office supply companies including Davenport Office Supply.  He retired as a custodian from Gwendolyn ...

Nancy Elizabeth Hamilton Norris, age 89, passed away at Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, Illinois, on Monday, June 8, 2026. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of more than 55 years, Dr. James D. Norris, former Dean of Liberal Arts at Northern Illinois University; by her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Dailey; and by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Buford B. Hamilton of Richmond, Missouri. She is survived by her son James H. (Irene) Norris and grandson James (Abbey) Norris and great ...

Kathleen Joyce Watkins, 79, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Kathleen was born October 12, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Lawrance) Day. She married Albert Watkins on November 20, 1976, in DeKalb. Kathleen dedicated her life to community service and education. She began her career as a high school French teacher, inspiring students for many years before transitioning into administration. ...

After a life well-lived, Beryl T. Smith passed away on June 7, 2026, at age 94. Born on November 7, 1931, in Imboden, Arkansas, Beryl moved to DeKalb at age 18 where he met and married his cherished wife, Ruth Miller. They raised their daughter, Jeanne, and were later thrilled to welcome grandson Andrew and granddaughter Taylor. He was proud to own his own company, Beryl’s Electrical Service, which was a highly respected local business. Beryl and Ruth’s generous hearts expanded ...

Susan Gail Hammond, 70, of DeKalb, Illinois passed away on June 5, 2026, following a brave battle with cancer. Born Susan Gail Prater on October 18, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, she is the daughter of the late Buford and Oma Prater.   Susan graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard, IL. She married shortly after and had two beautiful daughters. Susan loved her life and her heart was full being a doting nanny to her grandchildren. Family was her love and her life. She ...

Rebecca Ann Cuevas (née Woods), 43, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away on June 4, 2026. Rebecca was born April 16, 1983 and will be remembered as a generous, caring person with a fun personality and incredible sense of humor. She had a way of making people laugh and bringing joy to those around her. She loved to spend time gaming with family, watching her favorite shows on repeat, and is known to quote her favorite movies. Her sense of humor helped when times were hard, and she took ...

It is with profound love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lois Jean Cruse of Malta, Illinois, who left us on June 3, 2026, at the age of 89. To know Lois was to know the true force of nature. She was famously stubborn—a fiercely loyal woman who knew exactly what she wanted and navigated life entirely on her own terms. If she set her mind to something, there was simply no changing it. Yet, beneath that unbreakable exterior - beat an absolute heart of gold.   Lois ...

Carol Andreasen, 92, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb. Carol was born December 7, 1933, on the family farm in Esko, Minnesota. She was the third youngest of Edwin and Esther Juntunen’s fourteen children. She graduated from Lincoln High School, Esko, Minnesota, in 1952. She continued her education at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, and started her career as a skilled X-ray technician. On September 3, ...

Dale Lawrence Knudson, 80, passed away peacefully at Autumn Leaves Memory Care Center, St. Charles on May 31st, 2026. Dale was born on August 9, 1945, in Belvidere Illinois, to Lawrence and Dorothy (Butz) Knudson. Dale grew up in DeKalb, attended DeKalb schools, and graduated from DHS in 1963. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Army at the age of 17, much to the dismay of his mother and the delight of his father. After basic training he served in Vietnam as a helicopter tech inspector. He ...