Locations
 (815) 879-3641
Fiocchi -Jensen Funeral Home
208 South Euclid Ave. Princeton, IL 61356 Across From Princeton High School. |
 (815) 894-2222
Fiocchi Funeral Home
219 South Main St. Cherry, IL 61317 Across From Holy Trinity Church. |
Recent Services
Delbert F. Sims, 85, of Princeton, passed away, Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in OSF St. Clare Hospital, Princeton.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Delbert was born on September 8, 1939 in New Bedford to Everett “Doc” and Rosie (Blair) Sims. He married Myrna Jontz on December 26, 1959 in St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton. He retired from ESK in Hennepin. He farmed his entire life and was happiest when he was running farm machinery.
He is survived by: his wife, Myrna Sims of Princeton; his children, Shelley (Ken) Colton of Princeton, Darryl (Lana) Sims of Princeton, Bryan Sims of Princeton, and Tammy (Roger) Williams of Tiskilwa; 6 grandchildren, Brandon (Michelle) Colton, Kristin (Chris) Podgorski, Nathan (Stephanie) Sims, Nicole Sims, Doug (Ashley) Smith, and Morgan Williams; 2 step-grandchildren, Dustin Williams, and Ashleigh Pressy; 7 great grandchildren, Madison, Jayden, Kayleigh, Ethan, Sadie, Autumn, and Zoey; and a sister, Sherril Jackson of Oswego.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; and a sister, Donna.
Susan Marie Flaherty, 71, of Princeton, passed away, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Allure of Peru.
Service will be held 12 noon Wednesday, January 22, in The Chapel of The Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. Her family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Miners Memorial Cemetery, Cherry. Private online condolences may be left for her family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Susan was born on June 9, 1953, in People’s Hospital in Peru, to Edmund and Kathryn (Kohr) Flaherty. She attended the Lighted Way for 17 years. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cherry. She had been a resident of Gateway Services of Princeton since 1990.
She is survived by: her sister, Sara Mudge of LaSalle; her niece, Michelle Mudge; her nephew, Kenneth B. Mudge; great nieces and nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; and her brother in law, Kenneth E. Mudge.
Memorials may be directed to Gateway Services of Princeton.
Patrick Owen Mason, 52, of Princeton, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 13, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 24, in the St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton, with Msgr. James Kruse officiating. His family will receive friends from 3 until 7 p.m., Thursday, January 23, in the Chapel of The Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, at a later date. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com. Honorary Pallbears will be: Jackson Mason, Austin Steward, Trent Goodale, Brian Foster, Jason Allen, and Ian Cardosi.
Pat was born on March 21, 1972, in Princeton, to Donald and Sandra (Goodale) Mason. He was a class of 1990 graduate of Princeton High School and a graduate of IVCC. He worked at LCN in Princeton for 31 years.
He married Heather Sissel on August 21, 1993 in St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton, the Knights of Columbus Father Edward Farrell Council #5591, a past member of the Princeton Jaycees, and past board member and coach of the Princeton Youth Soccer League.
He is survived by: his wife, Heather Mason of Princeton; his step-mother, Andrea Mason of Princeton; his mother in law Colleen Sissel of Princeton; his children, Emma (Austin) Steward of Galva, Kenzie Mason of Chicago, and Jackson Mason of Princeton; his sisters, Beth (Calvin) Standley of Malden, and Julie (Steven) Bumgardner of Henry; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by: his parents
Roy Owen Swanberg, age 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 7, 2025. He was born on February 13, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John and Irmel Swanberg.
After graduating from high school, he served in the Navy Reserves before enlisting in the Air Force in 1959 and served until 1963. After the Air Force, he attended North Park College for a few semesters. He stayed in the Chicago area while working as a driver for CTA and then UPS.
In 1972, he met the love of his life, Janet Anderson, and they were married on September 9, 1972. They welcomed their daughter, Michelle, a year later, and their daughter, Kristin, five years after that. In 1976, Roy finished his Bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University in Industrial Arts. The family moved to Streator, Illinois, where he started working as a wood shop
teacher at Streator High School. He continued his education and completed his Master’s degree. A few years later, he transferred to the History Department where he taught history and consumer education classes. However, his favorite class to teach was the I Can class, a curriculum he personally introduced to the school based on the book by Zig Ziglar. He also
served as the yearbook advisor for 14 years.
In 1996, Roy and Jan moved to Princeton, Illinois. He continued to teach at Streator High School before retiring in 1998. In his semi-retirement, he took on a role as a bus driver for Peoria Charter. During those years, he drove many tours but his favorite was driving the Olivet Nazarene College choir and listening to their performances. Jan often joined him on those trips.
At age 65, he began writing and self-publishing articles and books, focusing on hymns. His work aimed to deepen readers’ understanding of their meaning and illustrate how they enriched his faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, who passed away on April 15, 2024. He is survived by his daughters Michelle (Randy) Olson of Snoqualmie, Washington, and Kristin (Rick) McComber of Princeton, Illinois, and four beautiful grandchildren: Jessica, J.D., Regan, and Harper. He is also survived by his sisters Jeanne Personius of Wells, Minnesota, and Joanne
Weyrick of Eagan, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 N. Main St., Princeton, Illinois. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Evangelical Covenant Church at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com. If desired,
friends can make memorial contributions to the Evangelical Covenant Church Building Fund.
Carol Ann Angel, 81, of Princeton, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Goldwater Care of Princeton. Services will be held at a later date.
Terrance "Terry" Peter Ferrari, 70, passed away on December 25th, 2024 at St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, Illinois due to complications with long-term health issues.
Terry was born March 7, 1954 in Spring Valley, Illinois to James "Tubbs" and Tessa (Pulkis) Ferrari. Terry began playing drums at age 9 and by age 10 was playing with established local bands on weekends being paid with "all the free Cokes he could drink". After graduation from St. Bede Academy in 1973, Terry attended college in Los Angeles, California where he studied electronics. Terry was proud to tell people that during his time in LA, he was neighbors with Frank Zappa.
Terry married Kris Ferrari in 1981 and this union produced two daughters, Alison Ferrari and Lauren Ferrari. He later married LuAnn Lorenzen-Stocking on August 2, 2003 and gained two bonus children, Samantha Hobson and Cory Stocking.
There were never any broken appliances in Terry's home as he could fix anything. His tinkering skills were confirmed in the 35 years he was employed with the Bureau County Housing Authority. He retired from the county in 2019.
As was his dad before him, Terry was a musician and music was an important part of his life. He was well known both locally and beyond for his mastery of the drums. He also had a life-long passion for aeronautics stemming from his first visit as a child to the Kennedy Space Center and later evidenced by the broken hip he suffered from attempting to cram himself into a tiny Piper Cub cockpit.
Terry also loved the feeling of wind sailing through his hair as he rode his Harleys through the countryside and the warm sand between his toes from the Hawaiian beaches that he and LuAnn regularly visited. And he never missed a chance to cheer on his believed Chicago Bears and Cubs!
Terry will be missed by all who knew him but especially by the family he leaves behind: his loving wife LuAnn Ferrari of Princeton, Illinois; daughters Alison Ferrari of Lahaina, Hawaii; Lauren Ferrari of Tiskilwa, Illinois; and Samantha (Adam Klein) Hobson of Princeton, Illinois. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Garrett Baumgartner, Mariah and Ava Hobson, Tessa Grandadam, and Harlee Ferrari Torres. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis Ferrari, and son Cory Stocking.
Terry's life will be celebrated in the style he would have wanted; a party with a cash bar and live music at the Cliff Event Center, 1105 E Peru St, Princeton from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday January 12, 2025. Unfortunately, AC/DC had a prior engagement, but please join the family anyway in giving Terry a great send off.
Fiocchi Funeral Home, Princeton Illinois is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kenneth "Kenny" Towne, 90, of Wyanet, IL passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru, IL.
He was born to Thomas E. and Ada F. (Applen) Towne in Trivoli, IL on March 8, 1934. He married Georgia Grotti on December 27, 1969 in Wyanet, IL.
He was a graduate of Wyanet High School; upon graduation, he joined the Navy where he served from 1952-1956 as a radioman on the USS Spangler during the Korean conflict. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #6634, where he enjoyed many Old Styles and worked the popular chicken frys over the years. Kenny and Georgia owned and operated The Towne Store, a hardware and general store in Wyanet, from 1978-1989. He retired from his lifelong career with the GTE phone company (later Verizon) in 1997.
Kenny often spoke fondly of his childhood years on the family’s farm north of Wyanet with their horses and other animals. He built his own house, was an avid gardener (he especially loved his home-grown garlic & green onions), and was a master steak griller. Kenny enjoyed watching sports on all levels and coached little league. He was well-loved by the LaSalle Veteran’s home caretakers, whom he greatly respected and appreciated.
Kenny's great sense of humor was well known and loved by his family and friends, during the good and bad of life (an essential quality for a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan). He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Georgia Towne; two daughters, Pamela Towne (Chris Mulligan) of Brookfield, IL and Marna Towne (Ed Cox) of Rockfalls, IL: one son Kirk (Carol) Towne of Princeton, IL; two grandchildren: Kenna Mulligan-Sissman (Josh Sissman) of Des Plaines, IL, Andy Mulligan of Brookfield, IL; one great-grandchild Piper Sissman of Des Plaines, IL.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas “Lloyd” Towne, Walter “Rusty” Towne and Bernard “Sonny” Towne and one sister, Bernadine Carroll.
Military rites will be accorded by the Wyanet V.F.W. Post #6634.
Memorial donations may be made in Kenny’s name to the Wyanet Fire and Rescue Departments and the LaSalle Veterans Home.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on December 7th at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wyanet for immediate family and friends, with a celebration of life to follow at the Wyanet VFW
Perry J. Bailey of Princeton, IL, and formerly of Bourbonnais, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Liberty Village in Princeton. He was 89.
Born March 7, 1935 he was the son of Jesse and Marie (Hill) Bailey of Tulsa, OK.
Perry was a lifelong ironworker. His hobbies included beekeeping, collecting and restoring antique musical instruments. He was a Hospice volunteer for years and worked with inmates at the Bureau County jail helping them before and after release.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his 10 children, Dorothy (Reiter) Bailey. Also surviving are his sons Ray Bailey; Dennis Bailey of Bonfield; Glen Bailey of Bourbonnais; John Bailey of Kankakee; his daughters Karen Horn of Bourbonnais; Ann Zukowski of Poplar Bluff, MO; Rose Bailey of Kankakee; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Virginia Bailey of Tulsa OK.
Perry is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Carl, Eugene and Philip, all of Tulsa; 3 children, Mary Angela Bailey, Ellen LaFrance and Luke Bailey; 1 grandson, James Horn.
There will be no services or memorials.
Jacques Duane Smith, 91, of Princeton, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Liberty Village Manor Court of Princeton, with his family by his side.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, November 19, at Elm Lawn Memorial Park, Princeton. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Jacques was born on June 25, 1933, in Princeton, to Sino E. and Charlotte E. (Cole) Smith. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a radio operator. He married Vera Joan Brooks on February 27, 1960 in The Hampshire Colony Congregational Church, Princeton. He had a passion for his grandchildren and riding motorcycles.
He is survived by: his wife, Vera Joan Smith of Princeton; his children, Glenn E. (Joyce) Smith of Princeton, Neal D. Smith of Davenport, Iowa, Todd B. (Audrey Finkel) Smith of Lisle, and Brooke A. (Tony) Cooksey of Germantown Hills; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.
He was preceded by his parents and sister Darla.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Audubon Society.
Lois Jean Pinter, 93, of Princeton, formerly of Malden and La Moille, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital, Ottawa, with her family by her side.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 2, in St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, with Rev. Scott Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in The St. John Evangelical Lutheran “Church on the Hill” Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, November 1, at St. Matthews Church, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday in the church. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for her family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Lois was born on June 9, 1931, in Spring Valley, to Lawrence and Iva (Jackson) Scriba. She was a graduate of Arlington Grade School and La Moille Community High School. She married Eugene “Gene” L. Pinter on January 13, 1952, in Mendota. She was primarily a farmer’s wife and homemaker. She had worked at Westclox in Peru, grocery stores in La Moille and Ladd, Walmart in Princeton and was a cake baker of many family and friends wedding cakes.
She was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, a former member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran “Church on the Hill”, the LaClaire Bureau County Extension, The Church on the Hill Altar Guild, was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Mendota Lutheran Home Auxiliary.
She is survived by: her children, LuAnn (Aaron) Romine of Springfield, IL., Kevin (Terri) Pinter of Malden, and Lisa (Jeffrey) Petersen of Peru; 5 grandchildren, Douglas Duff, Grant and Brock Pinter, and Emily and Kyle Petersen, 5 great grandchildren, Korah, Mackynzie, Eli, Wyatt, and Amelia; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and a sister, Shirley Hardy of Walnut.
She was preceded by: her parents; her husband, Eugene in 1994; a sister in infancy; and her brother, Jim Scriba.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, or In Home Care, Princeton
RANDAL "RANDY" PYSZKA
Randal "Randy" Pyszka, 74, of Spring Valley, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in his home with his family by his side.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, in The Chapel of The Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Miners Memorial Cemetery, Cherry, with military honors. His family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday in the funeral home. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Pallbearers will be: Scott, Tyler and Cody Orlandi and Nathan, Anthony and Dominic Fiocchi.
Randy was born on October 3, 1949 in LaSalle, to Leonard and Virginia (Liss) Pyszka. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He married Virginia Reinsch on May 18, 1974 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cherry. He had worked for Carus Chemical for 46 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Peru. He enjoyed the outdoors especially fishing and wildlife, and spending time with his grandkids.
He is survived by: his wife, Virginia Pyszka of Spring Valley; his two daughters, Melissa (Scott) Orlandi of Dalzell, and Amy (Nathan) Fiocchi of Spring Valley; 4 grandchildren, Tyler and Cody Orlandi, and Anthony and Dominic Fiocchi; and his brother, Greg (Gail) Pyszka of Peru.
He was preceded in death by: his parents.
EUGENE "BILLY" NORDSTROM
Eugene “Billy” Nordstrom, 63, passed away on July 31, 2024. Cremation rites were accorded with the assistance of Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Hampshire Colony Church, 604 S. Church St., Princeton, IL on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend. The service will be officiated by Pastor Michael Freeman.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Delbert was born on September 8, 1939 in New Bedford to Everett “Doc” and Rosie (Blair) Sims. He married Myrna Jontz on December 26, 1959 in St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton. He retired from ESK in Hennepin. He farmed his entire life and was happiest when he was running farm machinery.
He is survived by: his wife, Myrna Sims of Princeton; his children, Shelley (Ken) Colton of Princeton, Darryl (Lana) Sims of Princeton, Bryan Sims of Princeton, and Tammy (Roger) Williams of Tiskilwa; 6 grandchildren, Brandon (Michelle) Colton, Kristin (Chris) Podgorski, Nathan (Stephanie) Sims, Nicole Sims, Doug (Ashley) Smith, and Morgan Williams; 2 step-grandchildren, Dustin Williams, and Ashleigh Pressy; 7 great grandchildren, Madison, Jayden, Kayleigh, Ethan, Sadie, Autumn, and Zoey; and a sister, Sherril Jackson of Oswego.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; and a sister, Donna.
Susan Marie Flaherty, 71, of Princeton, passed away, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Allure of Peru.
Service will be held 12 noon Wednesday, January 22, in The Chapel of The Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. Her family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Miners Memorial Cemetery, Cherry. Private online condolences may be left for her family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Susan was born on June 9, 1953, in People’s Hospital in Peru, to Edmund and Kathryn (Kohr) Flaherty. She attended the Lighted Way for 17 years. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Cherry. She had been a resident of Gateway Services of Princeton since 1990.
She is survived by: her sister, Sara Mudge of LaSalle; her niece, Michelle Mudge; her nephew, Kenneth B. Mudge; great nieces and nephews; and cousins.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; and her brother in law, Kenneth E. Mudge.
Memorials may be directed to Gateway Services of Princeton.
Patrick Owen Mason, 52, of Princeton, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 13, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 24, in the St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton, with Msgr. James Kruse officiating. His family will receive friends from 3 until 7 p.m., Thursday, January 23, in the Chapel of The Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, at a later date. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com. Honorary Pallbears will be: Jackson Mason, Austin Steward, Trent Goodale, Brian Foster, Jason Allen, and Ian Cardosi.
Pat was born on March 21, 1972, in Princeton, to Donald and Sandra (Goodale) Mason. He was a class of 1990 graduate of Princeton High School and a graduate of IVCC. He worked at LCN in Princeton for 31 years.
He married Heather Sissel on August 21, 1993 in St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, Princeton, the Knights of Columbus Father Edward Farrell Council #5591, a past member of the Princeton Jaycees, and past board member and coach of the Princeton Youth Soccer League.
He is survived by: his wife, Heather Mason of Princeton; his step-mother, Andrea Mason of Princeton; his mother in law Colleen Sissel of Princeton; his children, Emma (Austin) Steward of Galva, Kenzie Mason of Chicago, and Jackson Mason of Princeton; his sisters, Beth (Calvin) Standley of Malden, and Julie (Steven) Bumgardner of Henry; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by: his parents
Roy Owen Swanberg, age 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 7, 2025. He was born on February 13, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John and Irmel Swanberg.
After graduating from high school, he served in the Navy Reserves before enlisting in the Air Force in 1959 and served until 1963. After the Air Force, he attended North Park College for a few semesters. He stayed in the Chicago area while working as a driver for CTA and then UPS.
In 1972, he met the love of his life, Janet Anderson, and they were married on September 9, 1972. They welcomed their daughter, Michelle, a year later, and their daughter, Kristin, five years after that. In 1976, Roy finished his Bachelor’s degree at Illinois State University in Industrial Arts. The family moved to Streator, Illinois, where he started working as a wood shop
teacher at Streator High School. He continued his education and completed his Master’s degree. A few years later, he transferred to the History Department where he taught history and consumer education classes. However, his favorite class to teach was the I Can class, a curriculum he personally introduced to the school based on the book by Zig Ziglar. He also
served as the yearbook advisor for 14 years.
In 1996, Roy and Jan moved to Princeton, Illinois. He continued to teach at Streator High School before retiring in 1998. In his semi-retirement, he took on a role as a bus driver for Peoria Charter. During those years, he drove many tours but his favorite was driving the Olivet Nazarene College choir and listening to their performances. Jan often joined him on those trips.
At age 65, he began writing and self-publishing articles and books, focusing on hymns. His work aimed to deepen readers’ understanding of their meaning and illustrate how they enriched his faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan, who passed away on April 15, 2024. He is survived by his daughters Michelle (Randy) Olson of Snoqualmie, Washington, and Kristin (Rick) McComber of Princeton, Illinois, and four beautiful grandchildren: Jessica, J.D., Regan, and Harper. He is also survived by his sisters Jeanne Personius of Wells, Minnesota, and Joanne
Weyrick of Eagan, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 N. Main St., Princeton, Illinois. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Evangelical Covenant Church at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com. If desired,
friends can make memorial contributions to the Evangelical Covenant Church Building Fund.
Carol Ann Angel, 81, of Princeton, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Goldwater Care of Princeton. Services will be held at a later date.
Terrance "Terry" Peter Ferrari, 70, passed away on December 25th, 2024 at St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, Illinois due to complications with long-term health issues.
Terry was born March 7, 1954 in Spring Valley, Illinois to James "Tubbs" and Tessa (Pulkis) Ferrari. Terry began playing drums at age 9 and by age 10 was playing with established local bands on weekends being paid with "all the free Cokes he could drink". After graduation from St. Bede Academy in 1973, Terry attended college in Los Angeles, California where he studied electronics. Terry was proud to tell people that during his time in LA, he was neighbors with Frank Zappa.
Terry married Kris Ferrari in 1981 and this union produced two daughters, Alison Ferrari and Lauren Ferrari. He later married LuAnn Lorenzen-Stocking on August 2, 2003 and gained two bonus children, Samantha Hobson and Cory Stocking.
There were never any broken appliances in Terry's home as he could fix anything. His tinkering skills were confirmed in the 35 years he was employed with the Bureau County Housing Authority. He retired from the county in 2019.
As was his dad before him, Terry was a musician and music was an important part of his life. He was well known both locally and beyond for his mastery of the drums. He also had a life-long passion for aeronautics stemming from his first visit as a child to the Kennedy Space Center and later evidenced by the broken hip he suffered from attempting to cram himself into a tiny Piper Cub cockpit.
Terry also loved the feeling of wind sailing through his hair as he rode his Harleys through the countryside and the warm sand between his toes from the Hawaiian beaches that he and LuAnn regularly visited. And he never missed a chance to cheer on his believed Chicago Bears and Cubs!
Terry will be missed by all who knew him but especially by the family he leaves behind: his loving wife LuAnn Ferrari of Princeton, Illinois; daughters Alison Ferrari of Lahaina, Hawaii; Lauren Ferrari of Tiskilwa, Illinois; and Samantha (Adam Klein) Hobson of Princeton, Illinois. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Garrett Baumgartner, Mariah and Ava Hobson, Tessa Grandadam, and Harlee Ferrari Torres. Terry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis Ferrari, and son Cory Stocking.
Terry's life will be celebrated in the style he would have wanted; a party with a cash bar and live music at the Cliff Event Center, 1105 E Peru St, Princeton from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday January 12, 2025. Unfortunately, AC/DC had a prior engagement, but please join the family anyway in giving Terry a great send off.
Fiocchi Funeral Home, Princeton Illinois is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kenneth "Kenny" Towne, 90, of Wyanet, IL passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru, IL.
He was born to Thomas E. and Ada F. (Applen) Towne in Trivoli, IL on March 8, 1934. He married Georgia Grotti on December 27, 1969 in Wyanet, IL.
He was a graduate of Wyanet High School; upon graduation, he joined the Navy where he served from 1952-1956 as a radioman on the USS Spangler during the Korean conflict. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #6634, where he enjoyed many Old Styles and worked the popular chicken frys over the years. Kenny and Georgia owned and operated The Towne Store, a hardware and general store in Wyanet, from 1978-1989. He retired from his lifelong career with the GTE phone company (later Verizon) in 1997.
Kenny often spoke fondly of his childhood years on the family’s farm north of Wyanet with their horses and other animals. He built his own house, was an avid gardener (he especially loved his home-grown garlic & green onions), and was a master steak griller. Kenny enjoyed watching sports on all levels and coached little league. He was well-loved by the LaSalle Veteran’s home caretakers, whom he greatly respected and appreciated.
Kenny's great sense of humor was well known and loved by his family and friends, during the good and bad of life (an essential quality for a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan). He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Georgia Towne; two daughters, Pamela Towne (Chris Mulligan) of Brookfield, IL and Marna Towne (Ed Cox) of Rockfalls, IL: one son Kirk (Carol) Towne of Princeton, IL; two grandchildren: Kenna Mulligan-Sissman (Josh Sissman) of Des Plaines, IL, Andy Mulligan of Brookfield, IL; one great-grandchild Piper Sissman of Des Plaines, IL.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas “Lloyd” Towne, Walter “Rusty” Towne and Bernard “Sonny” Towne and one sister, Bernadine Carroll.
Military rites will be accorded by the Wyanet V.F.W. Post #6634.
Memorial donations may be made in Kenny’s name to the Wyanet Fire and Rescue Departments and the LaSalle Veterans Home.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on December 7th at Forest Hill Cemetery in Wyanet for immediate family and friends, with a celebration of life to follow at the Wyanet VFW
Perry J. Bailey of Princeton, IL, and formerly of Bourbonnais, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Liberty Village in Princeton. He was 89.
Born March 7, 1935 he was the son of Jesse and Marie (Hill) Bailey of Tulsa, OK.
Perry was a lifelong ironworker. His hobbies included beekeeping, collecting and restoring antique musical instruments. He was a Hospice volunteer for years and worked with inmates at the Bureau County jail helping them before and after release.
He is survived by his former wife and mother of his 10 children, Dorothy (Reiter) Bailey. Also surviving are his sons Ray Bailey; Dennis Bailey of Bonfield; Glen Bailey of Bourbonnais; John Bailey of Kankakee; his daughters Karen Horn of Bourbonnais; Ann Zukowski of Poplar Bluff, MO; Rose Bailey of Kankakee; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Virginia Bailey of Tulsa OK.
Perry is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, Carl, Eugene and Philip, all of Tulsa; 3 children, Mary Angela Bailey, Ellen LaFrance and Luke Bailey; 1 grandson, James Horn.
There will be no services or memorials.
Jacques Duane Smith, 91, of Princeton, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Liberty Village Manor Court of Princeton, with his family by his side.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, November 19, at Elm Lawn Memorial Park, Princeton. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Jacques was born on June 25, 1933, in Princeton, to Sino E. and Charlotte E. (Cole) Smith. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a radio operator. He married Vera Joan Brooks on February 27, 1960 in The Hampshire Colony Congregational Church, Princeton. He had a passion for his grandchildren and riding motorcycles.
He is survived by: his wife, Vera Joan Smith of Princeton; his children, Glenn E. (Joyce) Smith of Princeton, Neal D. Smith of Davenport, Iowa, Todd B. (Audrey Finkel) Smith of Lisle, and Brooke A. (Tony) Cooksey of Germantown Hills; 8 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.
He was preceded by his parents and sister Darla.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Audubon Society.
Lois Jean Pinter, 93, of Princeton, formerly of Malden and La Moille, passed away on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital, Ottawa, with her family by her side.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, November 2, in St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, with Rev. Scott Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in The St. John Evangelical Lutheran “Church on the Hill” Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, November 1, at St. Matthews Church, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services Saturday in the church. Arrangements are through the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Private online condolences may be left for her family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Lois was born on June 9, 1931, in Spring Valley, to Lawrence and Iva (Jackson) Scriba. She was a graduate of Arlington Grade School and La Moille Community High School. She married Eugene “Gene” L. Pinter on January 13, 1952, in Mendota. She was primarily a farmer’s wife and homemaker. She had worked at Westclox in Peru, grocery stores in La Moille and Ladd, Walmart in Princeton and was a cake baker of many family and friends wedding cakes.
She was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, a former member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran “Church on the Hill”, the LaClaire Bureau County Extension, The Church on the Hill Altar Guild, was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Mendota Lutheran Home Auxiliary.
She is survived by: her children, LuAnn (Aaron) Romine of Springfield, IL., Kevin (Terri) Pinter of Malden, and Lisa (Jeffrey) Petersen of Peru; 5 grandchildren, Douglas Duff, Grant and Brock Pinter, and Emily and Kyle Petersen, 5 great grandchildren, Korah, Mackynzie, Eli, Wyatt, and Amelia; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and a sister, Shirley Hardy of Walnut.
She was preceded by: her parents; her husband, Eugene in 1994; a sister in infancy; and her brother, Jim Scriba.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Princeton, or In Home Care, Princeton
RANDAL "RANDY" PYSZKA
Randal "Randy" Pyszka, 74, of Spring Valley, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in his home with his family by his side.
Services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, in The Chapel of The Fiocchi Funeral Home, Cherry. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Miners Memorial Cemetery, Cherry, with military honors. His family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday and again from 10 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday in the funeral home. Private online condolences may be left for his family at www.FiocchiFuneralHomes.com.
Pallbearers will be: Scott, Tyler and Cody Orlandi and Nathan, Anthony and Dominic Fiocchi.
Randy was born on October 3, 1949 in LaSalle, to Leonard and Virginia (Liss) Pyszka. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He married Virginia Reinsch on May 18, 1974 in Holy Trinity Catholic Church Cherry. He had worked for Carus Chemical for 46 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Peru. He enjoyed the outdoors especially fishing and wildlife, and spending time with his grandkids.
He is survived by: his wife, Virginia Pyszka of Spring Valley; his two daughters, Melissa (Scott) Orlandi of Dalzell, and Amy (Nathan) Fiocchi of Spring Valley; 4 grandchildren, Tyler and Cody Orlandi, and Anthony and Dominic Fiocchi; and his brother, Greg (Gail) Pyszka of Peru.
He was preceded in death by: his parents.
EUGENE "BILLY" NORDSTROM
Eugene “Billy” Nordstrom, 63, passed away on July 31, 2024. Cremation rites were accorded with the assistance of Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Hampshire Colony Church, 604 S. Church St., Princeton, IL on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. All friends and family are invited to attend. The service will be officiated by Pastor Michael Freeman.
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