Townsend Topics

Last year's Poinsettia. This is a first for us. We set this plant outside during the Summer, and the foliage was beautiful. In the Fall, Jerry brought it into the garage. It is blooming, but many of the leaves have fallen.

Claire and Jacob are so proud of their tree.

Kenna, Jerpa and Deven. We stayed with the Roselle chicks while their parents went to the Hard Rock Hotel.

AND the next morning there was snow!!

We made a short visit to the St Charles Townsends and went to John's basketball game.

Coach Dad prepares his team with last minute instruction.

The "Tip"

Preparing for the second half. John's team was up most of the first half.

All eyes on the ball.

Great game. John's team lost 20-17.

When I was growing up, we spent our Thanksgivings with the Keasts and Spicklers. We always had a great time. Roger Spickler passed away Dec. 10 after a short illness with pancreatic cancer.

Roger D. Spickler (May 12, 1936-Dec. 10, 2011)

Roger D. “Spick” Spickler 75 of Freeport died Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. He was born May 12, 1936, in Rockford, IL, the son of the late Joseph and Mabel (Stanley) Spickler. He was a 1955 graduate of West High School in Rockford. He had served in the United States Marine Corp. Roger and Karolyn Keast were married on April 30, 1960, in Rockford. Prior to retiring from the Pearl City Elevator, he owned the Shannon Lanes and Polo Bowl, and had been a part owner of the Shannon Stockyards. He had been an avid bowler, enjoyed fishing and loved crabbing in Florida. Roger loved his family, his daughters meant the world to him and considered his sons-in-law as his own sons. Roger and Karolyn have 9 wonderful grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Karolyn of Freeport, three daughters; Michele (Jim) Kellner of Frankfort, IL, Melisa (Bruce) Bicker of Polo, IL, Mimi (Kevin) Johanson of Hoffman Estates, IL, 9 grandchildren; Tyler, Garrett, Alyssa and Brianne Kellner, Meagan, Amber and Clayton Bicker and Zachary and Kiersten Johanson, sister Barbara Milligan of Lancaster, PA, 2-brothers Bruce (Carol) Spickler of Rockford and Kevin (Martha) Spickler of Rockford. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3-sisters; Peg, Phyllis and Pauline. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Thursday December 15, 2011 at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon concluded by a Memorial service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.