Woodford County

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West Seattle Herald, Washington
Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Joanne Smithberg Lennon died suddenly at home in Juneau, Alaska on January 20, 2007 of natural causes. She was born June 25, 1932 in Bloomington Illinois, the eldest of six children of Raymond and Dorothy Flessner Vogel. She was raised in Toluca and Roanoke Illinois, graduating from Roanoke-Benson High School in 1950. She then went on to nursing school, graduating from St Joseph's School of Nursing in Bloomington in 1953.

She married Dudley Smithberg of Juneau, Alaska on January 17, 1955 and in September the first of their nine children was born. Dud and Jo moved back to Benson, Illinois in 1956 and lived there until 1966 when Dudley accepted a job in Seattle with the Boeing Company. She remained an at home mom with a full house, and then in 1975 returned to the workforce until her retirement. She moved to Juneau in March 2002 when she married Terry Lennon.

She was preceded in death by her husband Terry in September 2006, her parents in 1985 and 1986, and her sister Mary Vogel Leman in 2002.

She is survived by her former husband, Dudley, of Puyallup, her nine children: Lori Campbell (Ray) of Canby, OR, Matt Smithberg (Stacey) of Seattle, Mark Smithberg of Seattle, Michael Smithberg (Wendy) of Juneau, Helene Romero (Mike) of Seattle, Max Smithberg of Yakima, Lenore Freeman (Jeff) of Seattle, Lee Ann Rebagliati (Luca) of Albisola, Italy, and Martin Smithberg of Seattle. Also surviving are grandchildren Matthew and Andy Campbell, Laura, Christine and Gwendolyn Smithberg, Garrett and Lindsay Smithberg, Gina and Rhea Romero, Jeffrey Freeman, and Tru Hoang, all of whom will miss her grit, wisdom and love. Also surviving is her sister Sue Trent of Eugene, OR, brothers Robert Vogel (Kay) of Metamora, Ill, Philip Vogel of Peoria, Ill, and Larry Vogel (Dixie) of Roanoke, Ill, plus numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by four stepdaughters, Gale Sinnott and Nancy Lennon of Juneau, Delece Lennon of Wasilla, Alaska, and Kandace Dennison of Lacey, Washington.

Joanne was the current president of the Juneau chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was also a volunteer at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. Many various veteran's charities will miss her small but regular donations.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday January 24 at Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau. Memorial Mass will be held Friday January 26th at 10:30AM at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle with reception to follow at the school hall. Interment will be at a later date next to her parents and sister in Benson Illinois.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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31 January 1944

Albert Letcher, 67, died at his home south of Secor, at 11:30 p.m., Saturday, after an extended illness. Memorial services will be held at the home at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and from St John's Lutheran church in Secor, at 2 p.m. The Rev J.F. Schnack will officiated. Burial will be in Secor cemetery.

He was born March 18, 1876, in Palestine township, the son of Frank and Mary Iseman Letcher. He married Miss Anna Mae Meyer Dec. 25, 1900, in Eureka. He was engaged in farming.

Surviving are his wife, and three sons, Frank, Secor; Ralph and Walter, El Paso; two sisters, Mrs. Daniel Baker, Spirit Lake, Ia.; Mrs. John Iselman, LaPorte, Ind. He was a member of St John's Lutheran church.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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Minonk News-Dispatch, 20 April 1995

Roanoke - The funeral of Kenneth Eugene Ludeman, 74, Roanoke, was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Roanoke, the Rev. Edward Engelbrecht officiating.

Burial was in Roanoke City Cemetery, with military rites accorded by the Roanoke American Legion.

Otto-Argo Funeral Home, Eureka, was in charge of arrangements.

He died at 8:57 a.m. Friday (April 14, 1995) at the Danville Medical Center.

Mr. Ludeman was born May 19, 1920, in Hanna City, a son of Emil and Ella R. Schrieber Ludeman. He married Renetta Biszak June 8, 1947, in Magnolia. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Kenneth Jr., Roanoke, and Steve, Buford, Ga.; four daughters, Kathryn "Kitty Lee" Meister, Houston, Texas; Emma Ludeman, Roanoke; Julia Cosby, El Paso; and Hazel Ludeman Wiggins, Buford, Ga.; one brother, Wilbur Ludeman, Bloomington; five grandchildren; three step grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one sister.

He was a self-employed plasterer and contractor for many years and worked for Amigoni Construction. Mr. Ludeman was a member of Laborers Local 996.

He served with the volunteer fire department in Roanoke for 25 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Roanoke.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific, and was a member of American Legion Post 463, Roanoke.

Memorials may be made to the Roanoke Rescue Squad or to his church.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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From an untitled, undated newspaper clipping.

Renetta A. Ludeman

ROANOKE -- Renetta A. Ludeman, 72, of 201 Locust St., Minonk, formerly of Roanoke, died at 4:15 a.m. Thursday (Aug. 16, 2001) at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Minonk.

Her funeral will be at 10:30 am. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Roanoke, the Rev. Bruce Scarbeary officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Knapp-Johnson-Harris Funeral Home, Roanoke, and one hour before the service Monday at the church. Burial will be in Roanoke Township Cemetery, Roanoke.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Roanoke.

She was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Chicago, a daughter of George and Hazel Bowman Biszak. She married Kenneth Ludeman on June 8, 1947, in Magnolia. He died April 14, 1995.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Doria) Ludeman, Roanoke; and Steven (Rita) Ludeman, Buford, Ga.; four daughters; Kathryn "Kitty" Ludeman, Houston, Texas; Emma Ludeman, Roanoke; Julia Ludeman, El Paso; and Hazel Ludeman, Buford, Ga.; her stepfather, Andrew Clausen, McNaab; one sister Mary Oliveri, Standard; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step grandchildren; and one step great-grandson.

She also was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.

She was a nurse's aide and a laundry supervisor for 18 years, working for the Roanoke Manor and Apostolic Christian nursing homes in Roanoke.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Roanoke, where she was active in Ladies Aid for many years. She also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the American Legion posts in Roanoke and Minonk.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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