Soup Supper at the Antique Engine and Tractor Association. See the graphic for more details.
A Thank You from the family of Kirk Blackert
There aren't enough words of thanks for all of the memorials, cards, food, flowers, and expressions of sympathy in the recent death of Kirk Blackert.
His care at the various health facilities was also greatly appreciated.
He will be missed.
His family and Ann Hutchinson
Raising the Flags on Veterans Day 2024
Photos by Claudia Loucks
Ray Rogers: October 29, 1939 ~ November 1, 2024
Raymond Eugene Rogers, 85 of Geneseo, passed away on November 1, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at First Lutheran Church. Reverend Laura Kamprath will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Raymond Rogers Memorial Fund which will be distributed amongst Ray’s favorite charities.
Ray was born October 29, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois to MaryAnn Siembab and John Rogers. He graduated from Oak Park/River Forest High School in 1957. He then attended the Illinois Institute of Technology (ITT), graduating in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree. He received his master’s in education from Bradley University. He did advanced studies at the University of Missouri Columbia.
Ray was a creative and innovative teacher who made learning interesting and fun. He was active in many organizations, including IEA, GEA, Kiwanis, the Chess Club, and Scoutmaster for Troop 139, he was on the Board for the Geneseo Library, and was very active in the Richmond Hill Players.
Ray was thankful to the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care Silvis, especially Kate and Yesenia for their excellent care and support.
Ray was blessed with three children from a previous marriage, Brant Rogers, Brad Rogers, and Jodal Howlett. He married Kathleen Lozinski Hast in December of 1984, and gained four bonus children, Kimberly Stadler, RJ Coleman, Traci Gale, and Kristi McKissack.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife Kathy, of Geneseo; Sister Jacqueline (Ted) Johnson of Palos Verdes, CA; Brant (Gretchen) Rogers of Snowflake, AZ; Brad (Lily) Rogers of California; Jodal Howlett of Fort Myers, FL; RJ (Judy) Coleman, Geneseo; Traci (Chris) Gale, Sitka, Alaska; Kristi (Dave) McKissack, Greenfield, WI, 11 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, John and MaryAnn Rogers; and stepdaughter Kim Stadler.
Kirk D. Blackert ~ June 28, 1958 - October 7, 2024
Kirk D. Blackert, 66, of Prophetstown, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at OSF St. Francis in Peoria, IL. A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Atkinson Chapel. Pastor Terry Lancaster will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10-11 A.M. prior to the funeral. He will be laid to rest at Annawan Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a charity of your choosing or to the family of Kirk Blackert to be distributed amongst local charities.
Kirk D. Blackert was born on June 28, 1958, in Morrison, IL, the son of Vernon “Red” Jr. and Betty Jane (Pont) Blackert. He graduated from Annawan High School in 1977. Kirk worked for Blackert Construction. He previously was employed by IBP and Columbia Feed. Kirk was a fan of watching sci-fi movies and old westerns. He loved attending western music concerts at county fairs and rodeos to watch horseback riding.
Those left to cherish his memory include significant other, Ann Hutchinson; sisters, Cheryl (John) DeRycke and Angela (Dean) Cantrell; brother-in-law, Jerry Kostner; aunts, Adrianna Kleckner and Linda Billet; uncles, Ralph Blackert and Walt Blackert; nephews; Cory, Adam and Dusty DeRycke, Matt Kostner; Ethan, Jacob, and Seth Cantrell; niece, Lisa Marshall; 6 great nieces and 1 great nephew.
He is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Betty; sister, Pam Kostner; several aunts and uncles; and great nephew, Noah DeRycke.
From the Maple City Cruisers
Timothy Dean Thornton - July 24, 1965 ~ August 27, 2024
Timothy Dean Thornton, 59, of Cary, Illinois, passed away on August 27, 2024 after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. From a double lung transplant in 2019 to a bone marrow transplant in 2023, Tim met his complex medical journey with optimism, hope and a heart full of faith. He pushed hard to beat the odds through each challenge with strength and fortitude, surrounded by a loving and supportive network of family, friends and community. The family is forever grateful to the incredible teams at Loyola Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, and Northwestern Medicine for their exceptional care.
Born on July 24, 1965, to James and Carolyn Thornton in Davenport, Iowa, Tim's early years were filled with fun growing up in the Hazelwood subdivision outside Geneseo, Illinois. Hazelwood was a magical place, brimming with the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lifelong friends. After graduating from J.D. Darnall High School, Geneseo in 1983, Tim went on to study at Illinois State University.
Tim's professional life began as an overnight aircraft cleaner, which launched a 25-year career in the airline industry at America West Airlines, Frontier then Virgin America. Through his work, he met great people as he lived across Phoenix, Sacramento, Sun Valley, San Francisco, Moline, St. Louis, and Denver. He learned the value and impact of every role and person in a company, which he’d take with him as he transitioned to a career in technology in Chicago (Grubhub & PayPal/Venmo/Braintree). He cherished every new opportunity, not just for the professional growth, but for the chance to meet new people, hear their stories, and support them.
Tim was a man of many passions. He loved boating, racquetball, skiing, wakeboarding, hiking in the mountains, and traveling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He shared a great enthusiasm for life and adventure with those around him. He met the love of his life, Malea, in Denver in 1993. Together, they built a beautiful family with their children (Daniel, Lexi, and Nicholas). Tim’s life was filled with joy, laughter and a genuine passion for inspiring and guiding loved ones, friends and colleagues.
Tim is preceded in death by his son Nicholas Thornton (2005), his mother Carolyn Thornton, and his grandparents Robert and Hazel Pettit, and B.E. and Vivian Thornton. He is survived by his loving wife Malea; son Daniel (Heather) Corrie and granddaughter Cienna of Colorado; daughter Lexi Thornton (Lukas Kerstein) of Chicago; father James Thornton Sr.; sister Julie Remkus; brothers Tom (Nikki) Thornton and James (Beverly) Thornton Jr.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
A memorial visitation and service will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 10am until a service at 11am, followed by a luncheon and open-mic opportunity to share stories at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to Respiratory Health Association, https://resphealth.org/ or to Children’s Hospital Colorado, https://www.childrenscolorado.org/ ...organizations the family cares deeply about. They also encourage those who qualify to donate blood in honor of Tim and others who have benefited from blood transfusions.
Let's remember Tim for his bright spirit and the love he shared with everyone he met. His legacy of positivity, strength, and caring will continue to be with us all.
Please visit www.davenportfamily.com to leave an online condolence or for more information.
From the Loving Family of Grace Loftus
From the Loving Family of Grace Loftus
