Carl H. Witt Jr., 60 of Freeport, passed away Friday December 1, 2023 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. He was born March 3, 1963 in Rochelle, IL, son of Carl Sr. (Donna Anderson) Witt. Carl was an author and writer for many years. He enjoyed drawing, writing, hunting, but most of all spending time with family and friends; especially the grandchildren. Carl is survived by his wife Robin, 3 sons; Richard (Molly), Carl III (“Charlie”) Nicole, Michael, and 2 daughters;...

Gabriel Diaz-Pulido, 40, passed away Monday November 27, 2023 at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. He was born April 11, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico; son of Zenaido Diaz-Fonseca and the late Sara Pulido-Magaña. Gabriel was employed as a drywall taper for many years. He is survived by his brother Zenaido (Zoila Luna), his 3 nephews; Carlos Diaz, Alexis Diaz, Diego Diaz and his girlfriend Yadira Parra. The family will be receiving guests Tuesday December 5, 2023 from 3pm until time of service...

Roger Steven Malatt, 63, of Oswego, IL passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2023. Roger was born in Chicago, IL on September 7, 1960, the son of Raymond and Veronica (Cavanaugh) Malatt. He was a devout Catholic, his faith leading him in every aspect of his life. He graduated from Marist High School in 1978, Loras College in 1982, and received his MBA from Benedictine University in 2006. He was a longtime member of Holy Angels Catholic Church. In...

Nathaniel Alexander Williams, 18, of LaSalle, IL passed away Thursday, November 23 , 2023.  He was born May 15, 2005 in Aurora, IL, the son of Clifford and Amanda (Kurtz) Williams, Jr. He graduated from LaSalle Peru High School in 2023.   He was an avid reader, enjoyed video games and had a great interest in Culinary Arts. Nathaniel is survived by his father, Cliff (Lauren Stover) Williams, Jr. of LaSalle; his mother, Amanda (Ronny) Sidhu of Aurora, IL; his sister, Casey...

Ute Sophie Ingrid Elizabeth Yi, 73, was born September 23, 1950, and passed away on November 20, 2023. Ute was born to loving parents Ingrid and Wilhelm Boeckler in Witten, Germany. During her childhood, she and her parents moved to Winnipeg, Canada, and then to Minneapolis, Minnesota, US. She was an only child. She met her husband of 52 years, Wesley Yi, in Minneapolis at the store where she worked. He asked her out and she told him to return in a few weeks once she finished her schooling...

Bruce J. Frantzen, 66, a lifelong resident of Aurora, IL, passed away on November 20, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.  He spent his last day with his family and grandkids, watching his beloved Green Bay Packers secure a victory and quietly snickering while the Chicago Bears lost yet another game.  When he was ready to take the Lord’s hand, Bruce was surrounded by his family and so much love. Bruce was born on September 17, 1957 in Aurora, IL the son of William...

Marilyn Jean Shoger, age 76 of Montgomery, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in Aurora, Illinois.  She was born on June 7, 1947 in Aurora to LaVerne and Jean (Grate) Shoger.  Marilyn grew up on the family farm outside Oswego.  She graduated from Oswego High School and earned Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University.  Following graduation, she studied musical education for children at the Carl Orff Institute...

Michael Bengford, 51, of Aurora, IL passed away unexpectedly on November 16, 2023. He was born on May 14, 1972 in Addison, IL the son of Theodore and Margaret (Barry) Bengford. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army. Mike was a wonderful and devoted father and considered it his greatest accomplishment. He loved nothing more than coaching and watching his boys play sports. He was a diehard Packers fan. He is survived by his boys CJ, Noah and Xavier and his stepmother, Alice...

Thomas “Tom” Peter Simek, age 42, of Jamestown, North Carolina passed away on November 14, 2023.             He was born October 15, 1981, in Oakland, California, a son to Peter and Nadia Simek.  Thomas was a 1999 graduate of West Aurora High School and later joined the U.S. Navy, serving until 2003.  While in the Navy, he was stationed in Bremerton, Washington on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and was the recipient...