The Daily Gazette from Sterling, Illinois • a7

7 BITUARIES Sauk Valley SaukValley.com 8,2021 IfyouliveinDIXONorsurroundingvicinity DoyouhaveaNEWNEIGHBOR Please Call Tere Elliot DIXON 815-994-0422 THE DIXON GREETER Take the opportunity to get acquainted with Dixon. Gifts and KENDALL WALLINGFORD JR. Born: January 9, 1952 Died: June 3, 2021 DIXON Kendall Wallingford 69 from Dixon, Illinois passed away in his home on June 3, 2021, surrounded by his wife Debbie, daughter Roberta, son Kendall III and best friend Dave Jacobs Ken was born January 9, 1952, to Kendall Wallingford Sr. and Marjorie Brunk Bittorf. He is preceded in death by his father, Kendall Wallingford mother, Marjorie Brunk Bittorf; and sister, Kalah Wolfe.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie; daughter, Roberta (Paz) Martinez of Sterling IL; son, Kendall (Brandi) Wallingford III of Chesapeake, VA; brother, Kelly (Lori) Wallingford of Sterling; and grandchildren, Mariyah, Trinity and Mateo Martinez and Kaden and Drezden Wallingford. A jack of all trades, a bird watcher and nature lover, a gardener, a master of any craft, a perfectionist, a master chili maker, a lover of regular margarita on the rocks, Las Palmas chips and tacos al carbon served by his favorite waiter, Julio. He could spark a conversation with any stranger and minutes later they would become friends. An honorary citizen who enjoyed the beauty, the people and the culture of the islands. An avid traveler who loved traveling to the Caribbean islands with his best friend (his wife) along with an amazing group of friends that accompanied them on their island travels.

He loved his furry redheaded dog Lucy, which ended up being his greatest sidekick! God must have needed something done up there because he took the best there ever was. Wally as he was called by all who knew him, worked at National Manufac- turing in Sterling and Rock Falls for over 30 years. He refurbished the Christmas tree on top of Sterling National plant building that was previously made by his grandfather, Lewis Brunk Sr. Memories from his grandchildren include: (Drezden) Bapa was a huge goofball and loved messing with his grandkids. One of favorite memories with Bapa was when the lawn mower ran out of gas while Drezden was riding it and Bapa made him think he broke the mower.

(Kaden) Whenever we came home to visit Bapa he would always walk us around the house. My favorite memory is when we were picking radishes out of the backyard garden and he handed me one and said try it and they were the worst thing ever. (Mateo) He was the type of man who would sit through his children and his grandchildren's performances, beaming with pride. He loved watching his (grand) kids perform whether that be on a softball field, a stage, or swimming pool. He was there to give us a hug and tell us how great we did even when we were soaking wet from sweat and didn't think we did our best.

He still managed to make us feel so accomplished of our work. (Trinity) Bapa made the best food? which included deep fried corn dogs, and seasoned french fries. He also made Angelos bread. He was known for his silly faces and smart comments, fluent with sarcasm. He always made chicken nuggets and fries for me when I came over and I woke up to fresh bacon in the morning.

Bapa always cuddled me when I was sad and made sure I would smile every time we saw each other. (Mariyah) Bapa worked hard and played hard. His quick wit always made everyone laugh. He was the best grandpa grandkids could've ever asked for. I'll remember him best in his elements of gardening, riding the lawn mower, walking in the yard with the dogs, laying down on the floor, tanning by the pool, and working in his shed.

It's hard to put into words just how much he did and who he was because he was a man of many talents who touched the lives of everyone around him. Which is why this has been so hard on all of us. We are lucky to have known a man like Bapa. But rest assured he's probably on the beach, on a huge margarita or drinking Yellow Birds in his speedo up there, patiently waiting for us to join the party. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Abiding Word Church, located at 806 East Lynn Boulevard, Sterling, IL.

Service will begin at 5 p.m. (Caribbean attire encour- aged). Arrangements were completed by Schilling Funeral Home, Sterling. Condolences may be sent to www. schillingfuenralhome.com.

BETH L. BENNETT Born: October 31, 1925 Died: June 3, 2021 FRANKLIN GROVE Beth Bennett, 95, of Dixon, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Franklin Grove Living and Rehabilitation Center in Franklin Grove, IL. She worked at Dixon Public Schools for 18 years prior to her retirement. Beth was born October 31, 1925, in Lanark, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Violet (Railing) Heimbaugh. She was married to Clyde Cooley for 22 years prior to divorcing.

Beth married Dean Bennett on October 16, 1965, in Rockford, IL. He preceded her in death on October 25, 1998. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Dixon, IL. She enjoyed being with her family, was loved by many and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her four children, Richard (Maxine) Cooley, Susan (Tom) Cornwell, Bruce Bennett, and Brenda (Tim) Weaver; 11 grandchildren, Matt Cornwell, Angie Chavira, Jeremy Cornwell, Steve Keller, Evan Bennett, Kaleigh Bennett, Olivia Weaver, Sophia Weaver, Shannon Cooley, Dane Cooley, and Alanna Cooley; six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Aaron Cooley; two sisters, Vivian Weatherwax, Dorothy Prowant; and one brother, Delmar Heimbaugh. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Preston-Schilling Funeral Home, Dixon, IL with Pastor Timothy Mitchell from First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon, IL.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon. Condolences may be sent to www. prestonschilling.com. MILDRED MARIE POTTS Born: January 14, 1925 Died: June 7, 2021 STERLING Mildred Marie Potts, 96, of Sterling, died Saturday, June 7, 2021, at Regency Care of Sterling.

She worked at Lawrence Brothers for 35 years prior to retirement. Mildred was born January 14, 1925 in Sterling, the daughter of Edward and Tomma (Hinrichs) Eden. She married Leo C. Potts on March 26, 1960 at West Jordan Church in Sterling, He preceded her in death on March 19, 2005. Survivors include her five nephews, Lyle Muntean of Rock Falls and Harold Muntean of Sterling, Allen and Charles Shuman of Rock Falls and David Shuman of Sterling; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Edna Muntean and Marian Schuman; and two brothers, Lester and Walter Eden. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rock Falls with Reverend Daniel Behmlander, officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park.

A memorial has been established to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rock Falls. Condolences may be sent to www. schillingfueralhome.com. SUSAN L. POPE Born: January 15, 1945 Died: June 3, 2021 POLO Susan Lynn Pope, 76, of Polo, Il, died Thursday, June 3, 2021 at OSF Hospital in Peoria, IL.

She was born January 15, 1945, in Janesville, WI, the daughter of John and Evelyn (Minnick) Farberg. Susan married Robert Pope Mar 1, 1988. Susan and her husband farmed near Polo. Susan was a member of the Polo Club. She enjoyed collecting Precious Moments, sewing, and cooking.

Susan is survived by her husband, Robert Pope of Polo, IL; son, Jeffrey (Tiffany) Haan of Pontiac, IL; two granddaughters, Madison and Avery; and her grandson, Weston. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Judy; and son, David. Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Lanark Cemetery. A memorial has been established in memory.

Please visitwww.burketubbs.com to share a memory of Susan. OBITUARIES OBITUARIES continued from page 6.