Woodford County

If you are looking for the Surname beginning with the letter:
A-C	D-F	G-J	K-M
N-P	Q-S	T-V	W-Z

Sanford D. Imhoff, 89, of Metamora passed away at 8:30am Saturday February 2, 2008 at Snyder Village in Metamora.

He was born on May 26, 1918 in Low Point to Samuel and Elnora Garber Imhoff. He married Ruth M. Litwiller on June 4, 1938 in Hopedale.

Surviving is his wife. Also surviving are two sons Sanford J. (Kelly) Imhoff of Peoria; and Thomas (Kathy) Imhoff of Metamora; two daughters Becki (Rodney) Hartzler of Lexington Kentucky; and Bonnie (Rodney) Abel of Peoria. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter Cecelia Imhoff, one granddaughter Heidi Abel, one grandson Michael Mininger, two brothers and two sisters

Sanford grew up on a farm near Cazenovia, Illinois where he learned the values of community, love of family and hard work in the horse drawn era. He began his early career by purchasing a tractor and hay baler and providing custom hay baling services to local farmers. He later expanded to supplying and applying lime, fertilizer and phosphates. Eventually, the business became Imhoff Trucking Company with the addition of over-the-road trucks to haul grain and farm chemicals.

After marriage to Ruth, the young family was able to return to his homestead. This is where he owned and farmed the land he grew up on, and, provided the foundation for raising his family. Later, when small family farms began to diminish, Sanford took employment with Mechanic's Choice where he worked as a salesman for 33 years, retiring at the age of 82.

Sanford was a lifelong member of the Metamora Mennonite Church and was dedicated and loyal in his involvement with the church and the Hickory Point Cemetery Committee. He was also a lifelong Republican and Cubs fan which most of the family never held against him.

Sanford's love for gospel music developed early and in large part from his Mennonite heritage. He sang bass in choirs and choruses beginning in high school and throughout his life including the traveling Mennonites Men's Chorus and most recently, the Snyder Village Gospel Chorus.

Sanford was a 1936 graduate of Lowpoint High School and later served as a board member of the Lowpoint School District.

Later in life, Sanford discovered antique tools and began a passionate hobby of collecting and selling antique wrenches and woodworking tools. He met many new friends in his travels and loved to show and tell stories of his latest acquisitions. He was an active member in the Midwest Tool Collector's Association.

Sanford and Ruth were known for their generosity and early in their marriage were members and hosts of the Fresh Air program. This program reached out to inner-city youth in Chicago and gave them an opportunity to spend weeks on the farm during the summer. During his time on the farm, Sanford was able to work with other farmers to coordinate planting or harvesting assistance to families struck with tragedy.

First and foremost in Sanford's life was his passion and loyalty toward family, relatives and friends. His unique gift was the ability to treat each of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in a way as to make each feel unique and loved. His love extended to all extended family and relatives where he was known as 'kidder' and loved to engage others in lighted hearted exchange and banter. He created community where ever he landed.

For this and more, his family and friends will be forever grateful for God's creation of this unique husband, father and friend to all.

Services will be 11am Tuesday February 5, 2008 at Metamora Mennonite Church with the Rev. Mike Danner officiating. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Cremation rites will then be accorded. Private family burial of ashes will be at Hickory Point cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to his church or to Snyder Village.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Back to Index

Unknown Paper, Unknown date

MRS. CATHERINE IOERGER

McNabb – Mrs. Catherine Ioerger, daughter of Fredolin and Clara Merdian Wolf, was born in Magnolia County, July 11, 1884 and passed away Monday, May 15, in St. Margaret’s hospital, Spring Valley, at the age of 65 years.

Mrs. Ioerger, a life-ling resident of this community with the exception of one year spent in Texas, entered the hospital three weeks before her death.

She was united in marriage with Jacob E. Ioerger of Minonk, on Dec. 9, 1904, and the home was established on a farm east of McNabb. Two children were born to this union, Mrs. Edward (Florence) Bruer, living on the home place, and Mrs. Harlan (Goldie) Shields, of Chicago.

Surviving in addition to the two daughters are one sister, Mrs. Fred Kuhne, of near McNabb, and one brother, Fred Wolf, Dixon; two uncles, Barney Merdian and Henry Merdian, Henry. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, who passed away Nov. 29, 1947, two sisters, Mrs. George (Clara) Ziegler, and Mrs. Philip (Emma) Dose, Louie and Frank Wolf.

Funeral services were held at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, from the Brennen funeral home, Henry, to the church in Mt. Palatine, where her pastor, the Rev. Charles DeWitte, celebrated the requiem high mass at 9 o’clock.

Pallbearers were: Albert and Julius Dose, Leonard and Elmer Wolf, Marshall Kuhne and Elmer Noll, all relatives of the deceased. Acting as honorary pallbearers were 18 members of the Altar and Rosary society.

Date of Death: May 15, 1950, Bureau County, IL

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

Bloomington, Illinois Pantagraph

Frank W. Ioerger, 68, a resident of Meadows Mennonite Home, rural Chenoa, formerly of Minonk, died at 5 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 12, 2004) at the nursing home. Mr Ioerger was also a former resident of Lincoln Terrace in Lincoln.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home in Minonk, with the Rev. Daniel Gansch-Boythe officiating. Burial will follow in Minonk Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ.

Mr. Ioerger was born Feb. 16, 1936, in Bloomington, a son of Henry D. and Lorene L. Miller Ioerger. He spent most of his lifetime in the Minonk area.

Surviving are two sisters, Erma (Paul) Tjaden, Minonk, and Shirley Funk, Gridley. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Ioerger was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Minonk.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Back to Index

The Metamora Herald Friday, August 13, 1915

FRED IOERGER, EARLY WORTH RESIDENT, DIES

Passed Away at El Paso Sunday – Funeral Held on Tuesday – Metamora Relatives Attend

Frederick Ioerger, member of an old Metamora family, died at his home at El Paso Sunday morning of an illness of several months. Heart disease was the cause of death.

Mr. Ioerger was born on the old Ioerger farm in Worth township on April 2, 1853. He was a son of Jacob Ioerger, who settled in Worth township in the forties. At the age of 18 years he moved to Panola township and had since been a resident of that vicinity. On June 14, 1878, he was married to Nettie Danaman, who survives, with seven children. The children are Jacob of McNabb, Mrs. C. W. Major of Panola, Frank of Farmersville, Henry of Bloomington, Edward of Panola, Mrs. Henry Damman of Secor and Miss Florence of El Paso. Deceased is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. David Greenagle, and Jos. Ioerger of Metamora, Jacob and Peter of Woodford, Mrs. Mary Theobald of Peoria and Mrs. Elizabeth Danner of Woodford.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the El Paso Presbyterian church, the services being in charge of Rev. S. S. Cryor of Minneapolis, a former El Paso minister. Mrs. David Greenagle and daughter, Carrie and Jos. Ioerger of Metamora attended the funeral.

Date of Death: August 8, 1915

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

The Metamora Herald June 10, 1965

FREDERICK IOERGER, 76, OF EL PASO DIES

The funeral for Frederick Edward Ioerger, 76, who died at 5 p.m. Friday at his home near El Paso, was held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Vincent Memorial Home, El Paso, the Rev. Edward Riske of Minonk, officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso.

He was born Sept. 25, 1888, near Minonk, a son of Frederick and Elesta Tammen Ioerger. He married Alma Holz in St. Cloud, Minn., Aug. 17, 1932. They had lived near El Paso 32 years.

Surviving are his wife; two sisters, Mrs. Mathilda Orr, Long Beach, Calif., and Mrs. Anna Bundley, Minonk. Two brothers and a sister preceded him in death.

He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Minonk.

Date of Death: June 4, 1965

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

The Metamora Herald
August 19, 1949

GEORGE H. IOERGER OF ALDEN, IA., DIES AT KENORA, CANADA

Heart Attack Cause of Death; Former Resident Here; Funeral Services in Iowa

Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug. 7, in St. Paul’s Lutheran church, Buckeye, Ia., for George H. Ioerger, 68, who died Thursday, Aug. 4, of a heart attack at Kenora, Canada. The Rev. W. E. Leckford officiated at the rites and burial was in the Buckeye cemetery.

Mr. Ioerger was born Sept. 8, 1880, in Peoria, son of Henry and Sonora Ioerger. He was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended Ten Mile school. He was married Dec. 31, 1907 to Johanna Gudat of Peoria. Except for a year spent in Minnesota, the couple made their home on farms in Hardin, Ia.

Mr. Ioerger is survived by two sons, Vernon and Valie; a daughter, Mrs. Martin Kading, and two grandchildren, all of Buckeye. Also surviving are two brothers, Fred of Jewel, Ia., and Lafe of Wells, Minn., and four sisters, Mrs. Cora Bertog, Mrs. Rena Luttschwager of Buckeye, Mrs. Sonora Bolton and Amanda Dowe of Peoria. His wife, two sisters, Mrs. Anna Winkler of Peoria and Mrs. Lydia Rossetter of Buckeye, and one brother, Virgil Ioerger preceded him in death.

The out of town guests at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Winkler, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Winkler and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Miller of R. R. 6, Peoria, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wenger, Mr. and Mrs. George Winkler, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bolton and Mrs. Amanda Dowe of Peoria, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Winkler of Pekin, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ioerger, Mrs. Maude Ioerger and Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Ioerger of Minonk and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bowlby of Metamora.

Date of Death: August 4, 1949

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

The Metamora Herald
October 13, 1939

MRS. ILESTE IOERGER, 81, OF EL PASO IS DEAD

Mrs. Ileste Ioerger, 81, died at her home in El Paso at 11 a.m. Thursday of an illness from which she had been bedfast since Friday.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the El Paso Baptist church Burial was in Evergreen cemetery, El Paso.

She was born June 14, 1858, in Fahne Ostfriesland, Germany, a daughter of Thomas and Auka Tammen. In March, 1874, she and her father came to the United States. A few months later her mother came. They settled at Minonk, June 14, 1878. She was married to Fred Ioerger, who died Aug. 8, 1915.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Tillie Loper, Long Beach, Calif.; Mrs. Harry Hakes, Dana; four sons, Jacob, McNabb; Frank, Farmersville; Henry, Panola; Edward, El Paso; one sister, Mrs. Kate Ioerger, Pekin.

Date of Death: October 5, 1939

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

Joseph Wade Ioerger, 68, of Spring Bay passed away at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2008, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria

He was born on July 17, 1939, the son of Clarence and Vera Klein Ioerger. He married Barbara Louise Jenkins-White on March 3, 1973, in Spring Bay.

Surviving are his wife, Barb; one daughter, Theresa (Buddy) Braun of Metamora; eight sons, Joe Ioerger of Charleston, S.C., Ed (Mary) White of Metamora, Dan (Mari) Ioerger of Germantown Hills, Matt (Tammy) White of Denver, Colo., George (Gini) Ioerger of Bay View Gardens, Owen (Holly) White of Metamora, Matt Ioerger of Spring Bay and Andy (Cassie) Ioerger of Spring Bay. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, whom he dearly loved; one brother, Marvin (Fran) Ioerger; and one sister, Sharon (Steve) Gentry both of Metamora.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leland.

He was a 1957 graduate of Spalding Institute in Peoria.

He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 until 1963.

He then worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. for 30 years, before retiring in 1993.

He was a member of Local 974, AMVETS Post 64 in Peoria and was a lifelong member of the Wisconsin Fishing Hall of Fame. He was also a lifelong member of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Germantown Hills.

He enjoyed playing music with his family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, bee-keeping, gardening, music and traveled to 49 states.

All who truly knew him and loved him will dearly miss his wit.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at his church, with Father Neri Greskoviak officiating. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday, with recitation of the Rosary at 8 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel. Burial will be in St. Mary of Lourdes Cemetery.

Memorials in his name can be made to OSF Hospice.

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

The Metamora Herald
April 16, 1909

[Louise (Wolf) Ioerger]

Mrs. Ioerger, widow of the late Michael Ioerger and one of the early residents of the vicinity of Metamora, died on Tuesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Iwig, near Lowpoint, after an illness of some weeks at the advanced age of 83 years.

Mrs. Ioerger, with her husband came to this locality more than fifty years ago and settled on a farm adjoining the village on the west. There they raised their family and resided until some years ago. Of the children there remain three sons and three daughters, Mrs. Braddy, George and Albert of Wichita, Kan.; Mrs. Geo. Iwig of Lowpoint, Eva of Metamora, and Victor of Centralia, Wash. Mrs. Braddy and Albert have been here during the past several weeks, having been called by the serious illness of their mother.

The funeral was held yesterday. Services were held at 9:30 at the Iwig home, where the deceased had made her home in recent years, and at 10 o’clock the remains were taken to the Evangelical church five miles northwest of town, where final services were held. Interment was made in Oakwood cemetery.

Date of Death: April 13, 1909

The Metamora Herald

Friday, April 23, 1909

LIVED HERE 65 YEARS

Mrs. Michael Ioerger, Who Died Last Week, Among Earliest Settlers

Mrs. Michael Ioerger whose remains were laid to rest in Oakwood cemetery on Thursday of last week, was one of the pioneers of the vicinity of Metamora, having been a resident of this locality for 65 years.

Mrs. Ioerger, whose maiden name was Louise Wolf, was born December 1, 1826, at Elsace, France. She came to the United States with her parents in 1839, settling at Jolinople, Penn. In 1844 she was married to Michael Ioerger and the same year the couple came to Metamora. They settled on a farm adjoining the village on the west, which was sold several years ago to John Schierer. Ten years ago Mr. Ioerger died, but Mrs. Ioerger continued to reside here until five years ago, when she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Hattie Iwig near Low Point. Six children survive, besides 21 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. At the time of her death on April 13, 1909 she had reached the age of 82 years, four months and 13 days.

Mrs. Ioerger was a member of the Lutheran church during her life. For many years she had been a sufferer, due to infirmity, but she ever displayed a patience and cheerfulness, which as been one of her characteristics during life. Her many friends will mourn her departure sincerely.

Date of Death: April 13, 1909

Transcribed and donated by Kathleen

Back to Index

Roll of Honor - Panola Boy Makes the Supreme Sacrifice For His Country

Ralph Joseph Ioerger, son of Mrs. Anna Ioerger, was born May 22, 1895, in Panola township and died in France Oct 20, 1918, of Spanish influenza and bronchial pneumonia.

He was called into service on June 28 and sent to Camp Grant and was assigned to the 11th Trench Mortar Battery. He was then transferred to Camp Robinson and Camp Mills and sailed for France Sept. 16. His last letter was written Oct. 16, from France and stated that he was well.

Mr. Ioerger was married in February last to Miss Florence Seggerman of Minonk township. Besides his wife he is survived by his mother and two brothers, George and Wilbur of Panola township and one sister, Mrs. Garmer Kleen, of Blue Earth, Minn., besides a host of friends and acquaintances.

He was an industrious and honest young man and endeared by all that knew him. He was engaged in farming his mother's farm in partnership with his brother, George, and had always lived in that vicinity and being of a kind disposition leaves a host of friends who mourn his untimely death.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Back to Index

Untitled paper dated 20 April 1950

Funeral Today for Mrs. Edmund Ioerger, Sr., 63

Mrs. Edmund A. Ioerger, Sr., 63, died at her home at 406 Johnson street, in Minonk at about 5 o'clock Monday morning, April 17. She had been ill for six weeks.

Funeral services were to be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon (Thursday, April 20) from St Paul's Evangelical church, in this city, with the Rev Paul Buchmueller, pastor, officiating, and Tallyn-Folkers Memorial Home in charge. Burial will be in the Minonk cemetery. Pallbearers are: Fred Reinken, Flanagan; Edward Reinken, Roanoke; John Uphoff, William von Behren and John Krull, Minonk; and John Miller, Metamora.

Tena Folkers Ioerger was born in Linn township on Oct 13, 1886, a daughter of Fred and Marie Hillers Folkers. She was married to Edmund A. Ioerger on Dec 1, 1904. He survives with one son and one daughter: Edmund Ioerger, Jr., and Mrs. Helen Manninga, both of Minonk. There are also five grandchildren and a great grandchild; and three sisters: Mrs. Dora Reinken of Roanoke; Mrs. Anna Uphoff of Minonk; and Mrs. Minnie Woltzen of Benson; and a half brother, Heye Folkers of Wisconsin.

A good wife and mother, Mrs. Ioerger was a member of St Paul's Evangelical church, in this city, and was very active in church activities.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

Back to Index