Ethel Branthaver, 85, of Stockton, formerly of Freeport, died Thursday, March 4, 2010 at Lena Living Center in Lena.
Born June 14, 1924 in Freeport she was the daughter of Oscar and Minnie (Moran) Schlegel. She married Karl C. Kerr Jr. March 4, 1944 in Hinsdale and he died February 9, 2001. She married Robert Branthaver December 10th, 2005 in Stockton.
Ethel was a member of Faith United Methodist Church since 1939. Her memberships included Women of the Moose, Stephenson County Genealogical Society, and in 2005 she joined the Catholic Church
Ethel retired in June of 1989 as Deputy Clerk for Stephenson County Circuit Clerk's Office.
One of her greatest joys was having family and friends in for gatherings in their home. She loved to cook and bake for them. She was a loving Wife, Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, a loyal friend and willing helper.
Surviving is her husband, Robert of Stockton; 2 sons, Richard (Shirley Monigold) Kerr of Lena and David Kerr Sr. of Freeport; six grandchildren, Roberta (Jesse) Capp of Lena, David (Mary Diddens) Kerr Jr. of Freeport, Anthony (Cathi Flynn) of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Christopher (Deborah Euler), Tamara (Ben Duncan), and Christina Kerr of Lena; 15 great grandchildren, Justin, Austin, Shawn, and Annika of Lena, Jamie, Kara, Cole, and Gracie of Freeport, Cienna, Ella, and Cheyanna of Lena, Dylan, Nicholas, Kaylee of Minnesota, and Max of Lena; her step-children, Sharon (Jerry) Richmond of Rockford, Tom Branthaver of Pleasantville, NY, Mary Lynn (Kevin) Trost of Stockton, Kathy (Larry) Broshous of Stockton, Nancy (Steve) Olson of Lena, and Lisa (Kevin) Hunziker of German Valley; 1 brother in-law, James (Helen) Branthaver of Poplar Grove; 10 step-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Harold Schlegel, 1 sister, Dorothy Kohn, and a great grandson, Tyler Capp
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorial service will be Monday 11 a.m., March 8, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 229 W. Washington Place, Freeport with Father Dean Smith of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton and Reverend Bruce Janes of Faith United Methodist Church officiating.
Interment of her cremated remains will be in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport.
Immediately following the service at the cemetery there will be a lunch served at Faith United Methodist Church, 1440 S. Walnut St. in Freeport.
A memorial has been established in her name.
Ethel's family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, or light a candle in her honor at www.walkermortuary.com.