Richard Joseph “Dick” Reppen, 75, of Aurora and formerly of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin and Coral Springs, FL, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at his residence. Dick was born February 5, 1933 in Madison, WI the son of Joseph and Aurelia (nee. Morrissey) Reppen. Richard was united in marriage to Mary Barbara Engler on November 26, 1955 in Milwaukee, WI. Dick graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison prior to beginning his career in sales. He dedicated his life to his loving wife and to raising his five children. In his spare time he loved to create train layouts or dabbled in photography. Dick looked forward to spending time and sharing memories at the annual Reppen family reunion. He is survived by his wife Mary; five children Richard (Deborah) Hall-Reppen of Geneva, IL, Robert (Kathy) Reppen of Maple Grove, MN, Stephen (Sue) Reppen of Oak Lawn, IL, Mary Reppen of North Aurora, IL, and Peter Reppen of Crestwood, KY; twelve grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; three brothers Rev. Robert Reppen O.P. of DePere, WI, John (Erma) Reppen, of Rockford, IL, and William (Gerri) Reppen of Clinton, WI, and a sister, Sister Dorothy Ann Reppen of South Bend, IN. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his three brother and two sisters. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Friday, September 5, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL. Funeral services will begin with prayers at Moss Family Funeral Home before processing to Holy Cross Catholic Church 2300 West Main Street, Batavia, IL to celebrate Mass at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, September 6, 2008. Msgr. Daniel Deutsch is celebrant. Memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Cross Catholic Church 2300 West Main St. Batavia, IL, Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund 580 Water Edge Drive, 1st Floor Lombard, IL 60148, or Holy Angels Catholic Church, 180 S. Russell Avenue, Aurora, IL 60506.

Thomas James Shallcross, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2008 at his residence in St. Charles. He was born August 16, 1926 in Oak Park, IL the son of James and Mary (nee Russell) Shallcross. Thomas proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in mechanical engineering. His love of fishing and Delavan Lake brought him the most pleasure. He is survived by his children, Kathleen (John) Boland of Delavan, WI, Keith (Nancy) Shallcross of Delavan, WI, Kristie (David) Phelps of Otis, OR, Kim (Jim) Anderson of Batavia, IL, and Kevin (DeAnne) Shallcross of Norridge, IL; his grandchildren, Leslie, Sara, Jason, Danielle, Marc, Ryan, Kelly, Katie, Kyle, and Drew; his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Camden, Declan, Kai, Kiela, Jovanni and Jaiden; step-children, Diane (Brad) Schreiner, Walter (Cheryl) Lutz and John (Kathy) Lutz; and step-grandchildren, Ryan, Kevin, Lexi, Ian and Travis. In addition to his parents, Thomas is preceded in death by his first wife Patricia (nee May) Shallcross; his second wife, Elinor (nee Lutz) Shallcross; and his brother, Albert Shallcross. A memorial service will he held on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:30 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Church, 21W500 Butterfield Rd. in Lombard, where visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Interment will be private. Memorials may be directed to Season’s Hospice and American Cancer Society. We would like to thank Dr. Mokwe for his care and compassion for our father medically and spiritually. It was a comfort for all of us. Thank you also to the nursing and support staff at Sherman Hospital who tenderly cared for our father with competence and humor. And St. Joseph’s Hospital and their caring staff who challenged our father to independence after surgery. Lastly, thank you to Season’s Hospice who cared for our father with dignity and respect.

Carl Spencer, of Batavia passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at the Batavia Rehabilitation and Health Center. He was born April 27, 1924 in Corinth, Mississippi, the son of Martin and Lorena (nee Talley) Spencer. He was united in marriage to Georgette Magill on January 17, 1959 in Geneva, Illinois. Carl took great pride in his family and was extremely valued by his grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife, Georgette of Batavia; his children Roger (Irma) Spencer of Ft. Myers, FL, Cindy (Tim) Munday of Batavia, and Michael (Cindy) Spencer of Geneva; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Jannette) Spencer, Christopher (Nicole) Spencer, Lindsey (Adam) Burghgraef, Meredith Munday, Zachary Spencer, Mitchell Spencer, and Maxwell Spencer; a great-grandchild, Jakob Ryan Spencer; a brother, Leroy Spencer of Corinth, MS; and a sister Roberta (Gene) Phelps of Corinth, MS. In addition to his parents, Carl is preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth (nee Crum) Spencer; and a brother, Ray Spencer. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Rt. 31) in Batavia. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Interment will be in River Hills Memorial Park in Batavia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Carl’s name may be directed to Batavia Rehabilitation and Health Center, 520 E. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, IL 60510.

Jane T. Elwood, 103, a life long resident of Batavia, passed away peacefully at her residence Friday, August 29, 2008. She was born March 5, 1905 in Batavia the daughter of Martha and Henry Tincknell. She lived her whole life in Batavia. She graduated form Batavia High School in 1923. She attended Wheaton College and DeKalb Normal School. She taught for years in one room country schools, including a year in Wagner Road School in Batavia, two years in Hart Road School in Batavia and a year in Yorkville. She taught for thirty years in the Grace McWayne School. She married Franklin G. Elwood in October, 1958. They traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. A freighter trip around the world was taken in 1963. Jane was a life member of the Batavia Methodist Church, a member of the Batavia Women’s Club, Batavia Historical Society, and the Aurora Retired Teachers. She is survived by her two stepsons, Charles (Lillian) Elwood of Portland, Oregon, and John (Florence) Elwood of Batavia; three nieces, Mary (John) Yaeger of Batavia, Jane Phillips of Apache Junction, Arizona, Marian (Robert) Griffith of Longview, Washington; two nephews, George (Mary) Tincknell of Paris, Tennessee, and Everett (Helen) Best of Spokane, Washington; and many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Jane is preceded in death by her husband; two sisters; and one brother. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Monday, September 1, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia IL. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at Batavia United Methodist Church 8 North Batavia Ave. Batavia IL, where she will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Interment will be in the West Batavia Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Batavia United Methodist Church or Christian Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 26511, Richmond, VA 23286.

John C. Schmidt, of Yorkville, formerly of Geneva, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 29, 2008 in Green Lake, Wisconsin while enjoying one of his favorite hobbies; fishing with his dad. He was born March 20, 1967, in Aurora, the son of John P. “Jack” and Diane L. (nee Reimer) Schmidt of Geneva. John attended Valley Lutheran High School in St. Charles, with the class of 1985. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing any sport especially hockey, basketball and motocross. He loved the Green Bay Packers and enjoyed seeing them play at Lambeau Field on August 28, 2008. He loved spending his summers at his family’s home on Green Lake in Wisconsin. He is survived by his two children who he loved most in this world, Hailey and Hunter Schmidt of Yorkville; his loving parents, John P. “Jack” and Diane L. Schmidt of Geneva; his two sisters, Jill (Michael Pierceall) Schmidt of Aurora and Jenny (Krist) Enstrom of North Aurora and their children, Hannah, Rachel, and Wyatt; he is also survived by his girlfriend, Dawn Meier of Yorkville and her daughters, Stephanie and Lyndsie; and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Frances Schmidt and maternal grandparents, Clare and Lorraine Reimer; and two cousins, Shawn and Scott Osland. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Rt. 31) in Batavia. Funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 4, 2008 at the funeral home. Rev. Tom Riemenschneider will officiate. Interment will follow in West Batavia Cemetery. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Betty Jean Robinson, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2008 at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. She was born April 2, 1929 in Batavia the daughter of Tracy and Selma (nee Anderson) Johnson. She is survived by her two sons, Brian (Cindy) Robinson of Fishers, IN and Barry Robinson of Batavia; three grandchildren, Heather (Kory) Seitz, Cory (Kayti) Robinson, and Jace (Tara) Robinson; eight great-grandchildren, Kameron, Karson, Haleigh, Owen, Mackenzie, Alex, Nathan, and Samantha; daughters-in-law, Marilyn and Dawn Robinson; her “other daughter”, Connie Gladd; and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her son Bradley Allen Robinson; a sister Rosanna Dunn. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Rt. 31) in Batavia. A Memorial service will immediately follow the visitation at 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Corey Alexander Nielsen, 29, of Batavia passed away August 25, 2008 at his residence in Urbana, IL from a heart attack due to premature hardening of the arteries accelerated by diabetes and paraplegia. Corey died while living his dream to the fullest: being independent, studying Computer Science at Illinois's top-ranked Engineering College, and serving others. Corey is the son of Boyd and Christy (nee. Wagner) Nielsen. Corey earned a 1st Dan Black Belt from the American Kyuki-Do Federation (1991) two years before becoming paraplegic. Corey earned his Eagle Scout rank (1996) and Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, then graduated from Batavia High School with Honors (1997), completing his studies between several extensive hospitalizations and amputation of his left leg. Corey completed an Associate of Science degree at Waubonsee Community College between work as a contract programmer, Web developer, and another major hospitalization before enrolling at UI (2006). He is survived by his parents, three sisters: Karen Marie Nielsen (Eric) Brown and their daughter Olivia Marie Brown, Amelia and Hannah Nielsen; his paternal grandmother Metta Nielsen; maternal grandfather Jerome (Barbara Lindeke) Wagner; maternal grandmother Alice Wagner; fourteen aunts and uncles, their spouses, and many cousins. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL 60510. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 5, 2008 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 0N429 Old Kirk Road Geneva, IL. Interment will follow at West Batavia Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. Contributions in Corey's memory may be made to the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America ( http://www.threefirescouncil.org/ ) or to the LDS Humanitarian Relief Fund ( http://www.lds.org/ldsfoundation/welfare/ ).

Irene L. Warta, 93, formerly of Chicago and Bull Valley, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 25, 2008 at Provena Geneva Care Center in Geneva. She was born November 5, 1914 in Hammond, Indiana the daughter of Eugene and Lillian (nee Gearman) Dugas. She was united in marriage to George M. Warta Sr. She is survived by her son Gary A. (Jan M.) Warta of Auburndale, FL; six grandchildren, Christine L. Warta of Belleville, IL, Jennifer L. (Steven J. Collins) Warta of Batavia, IL, George M. Warta III of Warminster, PA, Jacqueline M. Warta of Warminster, PA, Matthew R. (Angelina) Warta of Appleton, WI, and Michael E. (Heidi A. Schuster) Warta of Cedar Rapids, IA; great-grandchildren Adrianna W. Warta, Justin M. Morris, Isabella S. Warta, Alexandra I. Warta-Collins, and Gabriella R. Warta; a daughter-in-law, Doris M. Warta of Warminster, PA; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Irene is preceded in death by her beloved husband George M. Warta Sr.; her sisters, Eleanor R. Lindstrom and Lois M. Bertalan; and a son George M. Warta Jr. Visitation will be held Thursday, August 28, 2008 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave. (Rt. 31) in Batavia. A funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 29, 2008 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at 12:00 noon in Irving Park Cemetery, Chicago, IL. Contributions may be directed to the National Audubon Society, 5225 Old Orchard Road, Suite 37, Skokie, Illinois 60077.

Kenneth W. Smudde Sr., 73, of North Aurora and formerly of Geneva passed away Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore. Ken was born October 1, 1934 in St. Cloud, MN the son of Francis and Mary (nee. Diermeir) Smudde. He was united in marriage to Patricia Loar on June 11, 1955 in Lombard, IL. Ken then graduated in 1959 from Benedictine University. He is survived by his wife Patricia; eight children Ken Smudde, Jr, Cynthia (Calvin) Jones, Thomas (Marsha) Smudde, James (Robyn) Smudde, Debra Meyer, Patricia (James) Weiss, Stefanie Barnhart and Joy (Fiancé Jason Wold) Smudde; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters; a brother Gerald (Dolores) Smudde. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sister Edith Straniti and two brothers Stanley and John Smudde. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Monday, August 25, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia IL. Funeral services will begin with prayers at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at Moss Family Funeral Home, before processing to Holy Cross Catholic Church 2300 West Main Street Batavia IL to celebrate Mass at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Fox Valley Hospice 200 Whitfield Drive Geneva, IL 60134.

John Spencer “J.C.” Cone, 55, of North Aurora passed away August 21, 2008 at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer. John was born September 29, 1952 in Chicago, IL the son of Spencer and Nancy (nee. Howard) Cone. John was a loving and enthusiastic man with a passion for life and fun. He enjoyed motorcycles and loved gardening and his plants. John was a self employed Millwright, who owned and operated the House of Steel. John will be remembered as a selfless person who loved his family and friends and will be dearly miss by all who have had the opportunity to have known him. He is survived by his son John Cone Jr. of North Aurora; two granddaughters’ Francine and Eve Cone; a sister Catherine and her husband and the brother he never had Steven Helm of Panama. John’s family would like to thank the staff at Delnor-Community Hospital and Rodney B. Nelson III MD and his staff for the tremendous care they gave to John and his family. The Family would like to thank V.N.A. Hospice and would like to ask for any memorial contributions to be directed to V.N.A. Hospice Program 400 North Highland Avenue Aurora, IL 60506 or American Cancer Society 143 First Street Batavia, IL 60510. Funeral arrangements where handled by Moss Family Funeral Home Batavia, IL 630-879-7900 or www.mossfuneral.com. All services where held private.