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Torman Funeral Home, 510 Flagg Street, Paw Paw, IL (2026)

09/04/2026

In loving memory of Eunice M. Williams

Eunice M. Williams, 86, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026, at OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota. She was born December 1, 1939, in Simpson, IL, the daughter of Thomas and Ova (Eades) Hazel. She married Robert Williams on August 8, 1959, in Grantsburg, IL.

Eunice is survived by two children, Steve (Marcie) Williams and Tonya (Gordon) Bradford; five grandchildren, Shawn, Brandon, Skyler (Mollie) Robinson, and Kevin and Christopher Williams; three great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Robinson and Melody and Violet Robinson; sister, Sandy Carter; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Eunice is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; daughter, Terri (Ron) Robinson; and siblings, Tommy Hazel, Jimmy Hazel, and Josephine Jennings.

A graveside service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Wyoming Township Cemetery in Paw Paw. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

08/28/2026

Our condolences to the family and friends of Charles "Chuck" Lovett

Charles “Chuck” Lovett, 81, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. He was born on February 8, 1945, in Pulaski, Tennessee, to Cornes and Josephine Lovett. In 1959, Chuck moved with his family to Illinois, where he would spend the rest of his life putting down roots and becoming part of the community he called home.

Chuck was a hardworking man who could do just about anything he put his mind to. Throughout his life, he worked as a welder, mechanic, and crane operator. He was the kind of person who was always willing to lend a hand, especially to the local farmers. If someone needed help fixing something, figuring something out, or simply getting a job done, Chuck was often the person they could count on.

He had a genuine curiosity about the world around him, particularly history. Chuck enjoyed listening to stories from the people who have lived through the events he wanted to understand. He valued those conversations and the firsthand memories that could not be found in a textbook. He also enjoyed the simple pleasure of spending time with friends, and he could occasionally be found at the local gas station, catching up, sharing stories, and enjoying good conversation.

In 1965, Chuck married Jill Marshall. They later separated in 1978 and together they had three children: Tina, Dana, and Scott.

While Chuck took pride in many things throughout his life, his greatest joy came with the arrival of his grandchildren. Becoming a grandfather brought a special kind of fulfillment to his life. He treasured his time with his grandkids and considered those moments among the most precious of all. The memories they made together will remain a lasting part of his family’s story.

Chuck is survived by his three children, Tina (Jeff) Brecunier of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Dana (Geoff) Payton of Creston, IL, and Scott (Julie) Lovett of Steward, IL; 5 grandchildren, Derrick Larson, Kyle (Destiny McGinnis) Payton, Christina Payton, Nathan Lovett, and Emily Lovett; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornes and Josephine Lovett, and his siblings, Shirley Smith, Larry Lovett, Billy Lovett, Glenda Griswold, Ronnie Lovett, and Donnie Lovett.

Cremation care has been provided by Torman Funeral Home, Paw Paw. A memorial visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Torman Funeral Home, 510 Flagg Street in Paw Paw. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

08/26/2026

Our condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Bill Happ

William “Bill” J. Happ, 71, of Compton, passed away at home on Monday, August 24, 2026. He was born November 25, 1954, in Mendota, the son of Peter and Doris (nee Owens) Happ.

Bill is survived by two children, Kyle (Shelby Hettel) Happ and Brittany Happ; four grandchildren, Landon and Camdyn Happ and Paytan Wolgast and Kinley Happ; a sister, Barbara Atwell; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Janice Ortiz.

Cremation care has been provided by Torman Funeral Home, Paw Paw. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

08/21/2026

In loving memory of John Scott Owen

John Scott Owen was born on November 13, 1961 to Darrell Owen and Sandra Owen (Schultz) in Sandwich, IL. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 after a brave battle with cancer. He was 64 years old.

John is survived by his parents, Darrell & Sandy Owen, his sister Julie (Fred) Miller, nephew Jay (Amber) Miller, niece Stephanie (Ian) Rawson, and his great-nieces and nephews; Hanna Miller, Justin Miller, Nikolai Miller, and Isabelle Rawson. He is also survived by his aunts, uncles, and cousins - Gary & Mary Owen & family and Lynda Schultz & family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emery Owen & Bernice (Haish) Owen and Raymond Schultz & Frieda (Wormland) Schultz. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Ronald Schultz.

He appreciated all the people who came to visit him and helped make him comfortable at the end of life, especially his care team, Jamie and Amanda.

John lived most of his life in Shabbona, IL and could routinely be found chatting with the locals at the restaurant uptown. John was a talker who loved socializing and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He was a one-of-a-kind, unique soul who left an impression on everyone he met.

John had a unique sense of humor that kept his family laughing, especially his nieces and nephews. He loved entertaining them with his funny Christmas carols and his unmistakable sense of humor. His laughter, stories, and conversations were a big part of what made him so special.

John enjoyed the simple things in life. He loved drinking coffee, whether he was sitting at the restaurant or enjoying a cup at home. He also loved smoking his pipe and collected pipes from all over the world.

John was a true tinkerer. He had a gift for seeing potential where other people might see junk. He loved bringing things home and turning them into treasures, always finding a way to fix, create, or repurpose something - especially TVs and radios.

John was an avid collector of toy tractors. He loved going to toy shows to add to his collection. Each time he would show his family his new find and tell them about the great deal he got. John had an amazing memory for tractors and anything farm related. He could tell you the history and details of over 700 tractors in his impressive collection.

He spent many years mowing lawns and helping his neighbors. He had a way of making an impression, and the people who knew him will remember his stories, his humor, his conversations, his quirks, and the many little things that made him one of a kind.

John will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, friends, neighbors, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. A private graveside service will be held with immediate family.

A private family graveside service will be held at North Clinton Cemetery in Waterman. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

08/07/2026

Our condolences to the family and friends of Bruce Harbin

Bruce Harbin passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on Thursday, August 6th. Born on October 26, 1953, Bruce lived a life defined by his love for family, his passion for the open road, and the relationships he cherished most.

A lifelong Harley-Davidson rider, Bruce found freedom and joy on his motorcycle. He shared his life with Cindy, his cherished companion, with whom he built a life filled with love, laughter, unwavering support, and countless memories. Whether they were out for a ride, spending time with family, or simply enjoying each other’s company, Bruce treasured the life they built together.

Bruce came from a close-knit family, and those bonds remained at the heart of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pleas and Sylvia; his brother, Joe; his sisters, Diane and Rose; his beloved son-in-law and best friend, Dan; and his stepdaughter, Tina, whom he loved as his own.

He is lovingly remembered by Cindy; his daughters, Danielle and Diane (Matt); his stepson, Rich; his beloved grandchildren, Alyssa (Jeremy), Adriana (Jon), and Jaydon; his siblings, Johnny (Patty), Gary (Gina), David (Wendy), Christine, Barbara (John) and Kathy; his sister-in-law, Donna; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bruce will be remembered for his unwavering love of family, his lifelong passion for riding motorcycles, and the loyalty and kindness he shared with those fortunate enough to know him. His stories, his laughter, and the memories he created will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Cremation care has been provided by the Torman Funeral Home in Paw Paw. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com.

07/21/2026

Mrs. Ritchie taught and impacted the lives of so many throughout the years. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Karen Sue Ritchie, 85, of Paw Paw, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, July 19th, 2026.

She was born on December 3, 1940, in Akron, Indiana, the daughter of Byron and Mildred (Hartzler) Thompson. She graduated from Akron High School in 1958 before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Huntington College and her Master’s Degree in History from Anderson College.

While working at the local Akron diner, she met and fell in love with a handsome Navy Seaman, Amond Ritchie. They married on June 14, 1962 and had two daughters whom they loved very much.

Teaching was Karen’s lifelong passion and calling. Throughout her career, she taught students from kindergarten through junior high, spending the final 14 years of her career as a dedicated fourth-grade teacher before retiring in 2004. She found great joy in helping children learn and grow, and the lives she touched through education will be a lasting part of her legacy.

Karen found happiness in the simple things of life. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, taking walks, playing the piano, teaching Sunday school, reading, shopping, and of course spending time with her beautiful family. What she valued most, however, was her relationship with Jesus, and Christ was exemplified in the way she lived her life. She was kind, thoughtful, and loved others well.

Karen is survived by two daughters, Robin (Michael) Griffin and April Kaiser; grandchildren, Valerie (Brian) Reed, Wesley (Rayanne) Kaiser, Jameson Griffin and Ellie Griffin; great grandchildren, Kenlee Kaiser and Coraline Reed; sibling Stuart Thompson; nephews Carl Thompson and Carter Thompson.

In addition to her parents, Karen is preceded in death by her husband, Amond, and son-in-law, Darrin Kaiser.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Torman Funeral Home, 510 Flagg Street, in Paw Paw.

The funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Torman Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Foster officiating. A graveside service will take place at 12 Noon on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Akron Cemetery in Akron, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen’s memory may be directed to Granny Rose Animal Shelter grannyroseanimalshelter.org or Samaritan's Purse samaritanspurse.org. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

06/16/2026

We join the Safranek family in honoring and celebrating the life or Erv Safranek. He was a pillar of the Paw Paw community, dedicating his life to his family, friends, and neighbors. His legacy will be remembered as a prime example of what it meant to truly serve. Rest in peace, Erv.

Erv Safranek, 101, of Paw Paw, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 21, 1924, in Kenosha, WI, the son of Joseph and Sophie (nee Vykruta) Safranek. He married Agnes Kettley on September 12, 1948.

Erv lived in many different places, including Chicago, Berwyn, Yorkville, and Somonauk before his family moved to Paw Paw in 1929. Erv graduated from Paw Paw High School in 1943. He was drafted into the US Navy and served from 1943-1946. After returning from the service, he went to work for his mom and dad in the family bakery. They started selling groceries in the bakery and eventually, in the late 1950’s, they expanded to build Safranek’s Supermarket. The market also featured a deli which included the famous Safranek potato salad. He met his future wife, Agnes, in summer of 1946. They dated for two years, got engaged in 1947 and were married in 1948, honeymooning in Niagara Falls. They had their first son in 1951 and their second son in 1954. Erv and Aggie loved vacationing. They traveled to Expo ‘67 in Toronto, Canada, enjoyed summer vacations in Delavan, WI, and winters in Florida.

Erv was a lifelong servant to his community. He was a charter member of the Paw Paw Lions club for 80 years. After a fire in 1972 did significant damage to downtown Paw Paw, he and other community members helped organize the Paw Paw Progress Corporation to rebuild the downtown. He belonged to the Paw Paw American Legion. He was a devout member of the Paw Paw United Methodist Church. He built a legacy of service for which his community will be forever grateful.

Erv is survived by his two sons, Gary (Lori) Safranek and Craig Safranek; seven grandchildren, Nic (Sara) Safranek, Chris Safranek, Brady (Jonna) Safranek, Doug (Christine Maxstadt) Safranek, Stacy (Ray) Binkowski, Lindsay Safranek, and Timothy Safranek; five great-grandchildren, Sophie, Vincent, Elijah, Hannah, and Joey; one brother, Otto (June) Safranek; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Erv is preceded in death by his wife, Aggie; brother, Joseph Robert (Mary) Safranek; and a sister, Violet (Ray) Reese.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Paw Paw United Methodist, 370 Wiley Avenue, in Paw Paw.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the church with Pastor David Hamer officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Wyoming Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Erv’s name may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com.

06/08/2026

June is Men's Mental Health Month.

In our profession, we are often reminded that some of life's deepest struggles are carried silently. We meet families who wish they had known what a loved one was going through, who wish they had one more conversation, one more opportunity to say, "I'm here for you."

Too many men feel they must bear their burdens alone. They may believe they need to be strong for everyone else while hiding their own pain. But strength is not found in silence—it is found in reaching out, accepting support, and allowing others to walk beside you through difficult times.

If you are struggling, please know that your life has value beyond measure. You are loved more than you may realize, and there are people who want to help. If you know a man who may be carrying a heavy burden, take a moment to check in. A phone call, a conversation, or a simple "How are you really doing?" can make a profound difference.

This month, and every month, let us choose compassion, understanding, and connection. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can be exactly what someone needs to keep moving forward.

You matter. Your story matters. And you do not have to face life's challenges alone.

06/02/2026

Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jon Simpson.

Jon Simpson, 61, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loved ones after a battle with cancer. He was born June 9, 1964, in Mendota, the son of Roger and Geneva (Gibson) Simpson.

Jon was an active member of the Paw Paw Lions Club. He played a major role in the Illini State Pullers. He earned countless pulling achievements throughout the years. He had a passion for tractor pulling and welding. There was nothing he couldn’t fix. Jon was a man of few words but big actions. He had a group of close friends who were very loyal to one another.

Jon is survived by his daughter, Jaclyn Simpson of Sterling and her children, Austin and Blake, son, Chris (Laura) Simpson of Paw Paw and their children, Ryder and Dylan, and daughter, Megan (Tim) Thompson of Paw Paw and their children, Timmy and Lola; longtime partner, Carol Mersman and her children, Steph Mersman and Cody (Amanda) Mersman and their children, Hayden and Camden; a sister, Trudy (Larry) McCarty; and a niece, Summer.

In addition to his parents, Jon is preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and a brother, Jeff Simpson.

Cremation care has been provided by Torman Funeral Home, Paw Paw. A celebration of life with Randy Ikeler officiating will be held at 12:00 Noon, on Sunday, June, 7, 2026, at the Paw Paw Pulling Track located on the north side of Chicago Road on the east side of Paw Paw. A luncheon and further celebration of life will be held immediately following at the track. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

04/29/2026

Our condolences to the friends and family of Richard "Dick" A. Luce

Richard “Dick” A. Luce, 86, of Paw Paw, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born January 6, 1940, in Mendota, the son of Claude and Ruth (Johnson) Luce. He married Rita Rosenkrans on January 4, 1964, at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church.

Dick is survived by his wife, Rita; three children, Randy (Patricia) Luce of Burlington, North Carolina, Ron (Daniela) Luce of Spicewood, TX, and Raquel (John) Dotson of Cary, Illinois; grandchildren, Tyler Luce, Sarah Luce, and Daniel (Anna) Luce, Brett (Courtney) Luce, Jackson Luce, and Gabriel Luce, and Matthew Dotson and Emily Dotson; two great-grandchildren, Neil and Mason Luce; sister, Betty Goble; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dick is preceded in death by five sisters, Mardelle Dobbins, Doris Nordtvedt, Jackie Beck, and Bev Tighe.

Cremation care has been provided by Torman Funeral Home, Paw Paw. A memorial celebration of life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church, 370 Wiley Avenue, in Paw Paw with Pastor David Hamer officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will follow in Wyoming Township Cemetery in Paw Paw. Contributions in Dick’s memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.

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