All Obituaries

James “Jamie” Willrett, 63, Malta, Ill., passed away suddenly May 3, 2024, after a cancer diagnosis. Jamie was born in DeKalb, May 14, 1960, to Bev and Jim Willrett. After graduating from Malta High School, he attended the University of Illinois where he was house president of the Alpha Gama Rho fraternity chapter and graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. Jamie returned to J. Willrett Farms as the fifth generation, helping his father, Jim, and partner Don Willrett....

Sally A. Davis, age 80, of Huntley, IL passed away peacefully on May 3rd,2024, at Journey Hospice Care in Barrington, IL. Sally was born December 29, 1943, in DeKalb IL, the daughter of Toivo and Marian (Scheer) Luoma. Sally graduated from DeKalb High School in 1963. She married her high school sweetheart Alan Davis and they had one son. She was employed by the DeKalb Ag, Northwest Insurance Agency and Specialty Ingredients where she retired from after many years. Sally loved playing...

Eva Pesuth 98, of DeKalb, Illinois passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Aperion Care in DeKalb. She was born at home on December 12, 1925 in DeKalb, Illinois the daughter of Frank and Rose (Juratic) Pesuth.  A lifelong resident of DeKalb, she lived at her current address for 98 years.  She was employed for 27 years as a cosmetic consultant at Lehan Drugs in DeKalb.  She then went on to work at Tom Sparks Car Dealership for many years.  She was well known...

Hwacha Thomas, 79, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. She was born January 14, 1945 in Seoul, South Korea, the daughter of Hyun Seung and Soon Bin (Park) Shin. Hwacha married Corwin Thomas on July 25, 1967, in Seoul, South Korea. Hwacha was employed with Ace Coffee Bar, Inc. at Barber Greene Company. She was a member of Christ the Teacher University Parish. Hwacha was a devoted Christian whose unwavering faith guided her...

Betty L. Rowe, 86, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at her home. She was born August 12, 1937, in DeKalb, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur and Blanche (Vatne) Kittleson. Betty married Fred L. Rowe Sr. on May 16, 1953 in Lawton, Oklahoma. She is survived by her children Fred (Stephanie) Rowe, Lee (Debbie) Rowe, Clyde Rowe, and Dale Rowe; her ten grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and two great great-granddaughters; her sisters Judy Reed, Joanne (Lou) Ebert...

Richard A. Sampson, 78, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Bethany Rehab and Health Care Center. He was born November 8, 1945 in Melrose Park, Illinois, the son of Harold and Rose (Radell) Sampson.  Richard  was a Veteran of the US Air Force.  He is survived by his children Ken (Julia) Ziga of DeKalb, David Sampson of Lisle, Richard (Janet) Sampson of Geneva, Jason (Marcia) Sampson of Nevada, Iowa and Jenny (Eric) Harms of Nevada; his twenty one...

C Daniel Dillman, 90, of DeKalb, IL, passed away on April 21, 2024. He was a lifelong educator who was passionate about teaching and about baseball.   Dan was a distinguished professor of Geography at Northern Illinois University, where he taught for more than 40 years. Dan taught undergraduates and graduate students, and he enjoyed his involvement with the honors program. In his post-retirement years he and his wife, Joanne Dillman, volunteered with NIU’s Lifelong Learning...

Barbara Louise Moser, 91, passed away on April 21, 2024, at Grand Victorian in Sycamore, IL. She was born October 17, 1932 in Greenville, MI, daughter of the late Raymond and Frances (Weeks) VanVlerah. Barbara married Kenneth Moser on November 27, 1954 in Cortland, Illinois. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, son Todd, great-granddaughter Mattea Lesorgen, sisters Betty (Kenneth) Snyder...

John K. “Jack” Rhoads, 93, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at his home.  He was born July 11, 1930, in Reading, PA, the son of Len and Gertrude (Berger) Rhoads. John married Ruth Harris in 1960. Jack was a graduate of Reading High School in Pennsylvania class of 1948. He graduated from Albright College in Reading in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree.  He received his Master’s Degree from Case Western University in 1953 and a PhD from...

Otta  Ritzman, 96, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center.  She was born February 4, 1928, in Lee, Illinois, the daughter of Otto and Vina (Jacobson) Rygh. Otta married Allyn Ritzman on December 4, 1948, in Lee. Otta graduated valedictorian from Shabbona High School in 1945. She was employed at GE for 35 Years.  She was a member of First Lutheran Church in DeKalb for many decades. She loved to sing, hum and...