Death notices for the far Stateline: Apr. 7, 2026

With sadness, we announce the following deaths for Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit in recent weeks:

Feb. 2, 2026:
Richard J. Bennington, 50, South Beloit
He played football at Hononegah and graduated from South Beloit High School in 1993. In later years, he was the manager of the Red Ranch Inn in the Catskill Mountains in New York.

Mar. 14, 2026:
Diana Armato, 75, Rockton
She lived on Strawbridge Drive.

Mar. 23, 2026:
Gladys E. Gonzalez, 80, Roscoe
Born in Puerto Rico, when she spoke, she was confident, loud, and passionate. At the end of every night, her kitchen was spotless, coffee was in the pot, and bellies were always full.

Mar. 27, 2026:
Patrick Johannes, 50, Rockton
A graduate of Hononegah High School.  he worked for his father's architectural firm.  He loved riding his golf cart around the yard.

Mar. 28, 2026:
Richard Spencer, 96, Rockton
A landscape designer, he started Spencer Landscaping and eventually became a Master Gardener. He was a member of the South Beloit Legion and St. Andrew Lutheran Church and was a volunteer with Beloit Hospice for many years. Among his favorite sports teams was the Hononegah Indians.

Mar. 29, 2026:
Patricia G. Johnson, 80, Roscoe
A second-generation nurse, she had a love of country music and dancing. She was not afraid to take you by the hand and get you on the dance floor. She frequently danced around her kitchen.

Corey L. Kidd, 44, Rockton
He coached 7th- and 8th-grade basketball at Stephen Mack Middle School and also worked as an inventory control specialist for Quest Global. 

Steven A. Brunson, 62, Rockton
A proud union millwright and welder,“Brunny” never sat still for long, whether jumping out of airplanes, tubing down the river, or canoeing with friends each Labor Day.

John Petersons, 87, South Beloit
Born in Latvia, he was a member of the South Beloit American Legion Post #288 and the Beloit Corporation Quarter Century Club. He was an usher and soup lunch volunteer at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Mar. 30, 2026:
Shirley W. Moyer, 87, South Beloit
She was a librarian at Prairie Hill School and the Beloit Public Library. After retiring in 2002, she continued as a volunteer at Central Christian Church and the Beloit Public Library.

Shirley F. Miller, 92, Rockton
Born in Shirland, she was known by her CB handle, "Catfish." During her 20 year career at Freeman Shoe, she was a buffer. But what mattered most to her was her family and pets. She embraced every daily adventure, whether it was her Thursday afternoon dances with old-time music, fishing, riding snowmobiles and motorcycles, driving her golf cart, or even her beloved John Deere tractor.

Mar. 31, 2026:
Sharon L. Berg, 71, South Beloit
She retired from assembling Chryslers in Belvidere. She was inducted into the Greater Beloit USBC Hall of Fame for her meritorious service to the bowling organization, where she was a board member. She enjoyed vacations, cruises, casinos, and (reportedly) flamingos.

Apr. 1, 2026:
Curtis O. West, 69, South Beloit
A 1974 South Beloit High School graduate, he worked for General Motors and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, shooting pool, and hunting with his family.

Michael F. Gillette, Sr., 75, Roscoe
Born in Florida and an Eagle Scout, he joined the Marines and was promoted to sergeant during the Vietnam War. He later served as a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, fire rescue diver, and registered nurse. Some of “Coach G's" girls softball teams went on to state and national championships.

Apr. 3, 2026:
Niki L. Scace, 48, Shirland 
Despite facing significant health challenges over the years, she found joy in life's simple pleasures. A 1996 Hononegah graduate, she worked in home health. Her love for animals was boundless. A gifted seamstress, she created beautiful quilts and loved romance novels.

Patricia A. Sly, 81, Rockton
She enjoyed caring for patients as a certified nursing assistant. She had many hobbies, such as camping, word search, and bingo, but most of all she loved her family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, newly arrived great great grandchild, and Tinkerbell her cat.

Apr. 4, 2026:
John L. Shick Jr., 59, South Beloit
John started and ended his working career as a physical education and drivers education teacher. In between, he worked for Chrysler Corporation and owned South Park Auto. He also coached wrestling. He enjoyed snowmobiling and boating, but he especially loved teaching kids to drive.

In memoriam: deaths in 2025

We remember those who are no longer with us in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit.

Rockton-Roscoe NewsMichael McGinnis

Other recent obituaries

Death notices for the far Stateline: Mar. 31, 2026

Death notices for the far Stateline: Mar. 24, 2026

Death notices for the far Stateline: Mar. 17, 2026

Death notices for the far Stateline: Mar. 10, 2026

Families from Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit may send birth, wedding, or funeral announcements at no charge to [email protected]. Some images were enhanced using Hotpot.ai.