If you’ve lived around LaSalle County for more than a minute, you know that the local paper is basically the heartbeat of the community. But honestly, when it comes to tracking down Streator Times Press obituaries, things have gotten a little confusing lately.
People often get frustrated because they remember the old days of the physical Times-Press building, or they struggle with the modern digital paywalls. It isn't just about reading a name on a page; it’s about finding a neighbor, a former coworker, or that one teacher everyone loved at Streator Township High School.
The paper has gone through a lot of changes. It merged, it moved, and it joined a larger media family. If you're looking for a recent passing or digging into family history, you've got to know where the digital "bodies" are buried, so to speak.
The Evolution of the Streator Times Press
Most folks still call it the Times-Press, but the official name shifted a while back. It’s now technically part of The Times, which covers Ottawa and Streator, and it's owned by Shaw Local News Network.
Why does that matter? Because if you’re searching for "Streator Times Press obituaries" and only looking for a website with that exact name, you’re gonna have a bad time. You actually want to look at Shaw Local or the My Web Times portal.
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Where to Find the Records
Currently, the most reliable places to find these notices are:
- The Shaw Local "The Times" Obituary Section: This is the primary home for current notices.
- Legacy.com: They partner with Shaw Media to host the guestbooks and longer-form tributes.
- Local Funeral Homes: Places like Solon-Telford or Hagi-Schultz often post the full text on their own sites before it even hits the paper.
Why the Digital Shift Frustrates Everyone
It’s kinda annoying when you just want to check the service times for an old friend and you hit a "subscriber only" wall. We've all been there. But here's the reality: local journalism is struggling. Those fees for Streator Times Press obituaries help keep the reporters on the beat covering the City Council and the high school Bulldogs.
One thing most people get wrong is thinking that the obituary is a "public record" that should be free everywhere. Actually, an obituary is more like a classified ad. The family or the funeral home pays to put it in the paper.
Accessing the Archives
If you are looking for someone who passed away in, say, 1984, you aren't going to find that on a standard website.
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- Streator Public Library: They have microfilm. It’s old school, it’s dusty, and it’s remarkably effective.
- ObitsArchive.com: This is a paid service, but it’s great if you can’t make it to the library in person.
- LCCN Records: The Library of Congress actually has a massive directory of the Streator Daily Times-Press from 1927 to 1979.
How to Submit an Obituary Without the Headache
If you're the one tasked with writing a notice, don't just wing it. The Times has specific rules. You can email their obituary department directly at ottawaobits@shawlocal.com.
Don't forget the photo. A grainy cell phone pic looks terrible in newsprint. Use a high-resolution scan if you can. Also, double-check the spelling of "Streator"—you'd be surprised how many people accidentally type "Streater."
Pro Tip: Always include the maiden name for women. It’s the single biggest thing genealogists and old friends look for when they're scanning the list.
Looking Beyond the Name
An obituary in the Streator paper is more than just dates. It's a record of the town's industrial history. You'll see mentions of the old glass bottle factories, the coal mines, or the years spent working at Vactor.
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When you read Streator Times Press obituaries, you're reading the story of a town that built America. You see the VFW memberships, the Knights of Columbus mentions, and the "in lieu of flowers" requests for the local food pantry.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you’re looking for someone right now, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the Funeral Home First: It's almost always free and often contains more photos than the newspaper version.
- Use Specific Keywords: Instead of just searching the name, search "Name + Streator + Obituary + 2026."
- Sign up for Alerts: Legacy.com lets you set up "ObitMessenger" alerts for specific last names in the Streator area. It saves you from having to check the site every day.
- Visit the Library: For anything older than 20 years, the Streator Public Library on Park Street is your best bet for microfilm records.
Knowing where to look saves you a lot of clicking and a lot of heartache. The paper might have changed names and owners, but the community it records is still the same.
Next Steps:
If you need to find a specific record from before the 1970s, you should contact the Streator Public Library directly at (815) 672-2729 to see if they offer remote research services for a small fee. Otherwise, for recent notices, head to the Shaw Local website and filter by "The Times" to see the latest updates.