Death notices for the far Stateline: Jan. 27, 2026
We remember those who are no longer with us in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit.
With sadness, we announce the following deaths for Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit in recent weeks:
Nov. 2, 2025:
Marilyn P. Benson, 83, Roscoe
A 1959 graduate of Hononegah High School, she grew up on the family farm in Roscoe. She was a woman of many interests, opinions and talents: obsessed with the color purple and a member of the ACLU.
Jan. 6, 2026:
Donald James Stocker, 94, Rockton
After three years in France with the US Army, he had a distinguished 33-year career as a middle school principal. His favorite quote was, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
Jan. 15, 2026:
Keith Woods, 63, Rockton
He lived on Union Street.
Jan. 16, 2026:
Arron Ace Foster, 60, Rockton
A board member for elev815, he passed away while on a motorcycle tour of Ecuador. He grew up riding ponies on Thunder Butte Creek, South Dakota. In the Army, he served a tour in Korea guarding the wall. After moving to Rockton in 1998, he spent the rest of his life serving his community through his church and his business. He worked with the men's pancake breakfast at Roscoe UMC.
Jan. 17, 2026:
Scott G. Fier, 66, Rockton
A dedicated and hardworking man, he worked as a technician at Woodward until 2011. His greatest joys were his family, his three golden retrievers, and time spent with family and friends at Presque Isle, Wisconsin. He was a 1977 graduate of Hononegah High School and Woodward Academy.
Jan. 18, 2026:
Michael S. Geschel, 63, Roscoe
He was a devoted car enthusiast and enjoyed sports, music, and the outdoors. His two sons were the lights of his life. A talented craftsman, he could build anything he set his mind to. He had a pleasant singing voice.
Jan. 19, 2026:
Chris Lewis, 77, Rockton
A native of Abingdon, IL, she would send letters home from college addressed to “Mom & Dad” with the zip code. No stamp needed - her father was the local postman sorting the mail, and he would dutifully pay the nickel before opening her letter. She later lived in Roscoe, Rockton, and Rockford.
Jan. 20, 2026:
Sylvia J. Frank, 89, Rockton
A lifelong resident of Rockton and a 1954 Hononegah graduate, she enjoyed meticulously arranging pieces in a puzzle, crafting with her crochet needles, dealing a hand of cards, embarking on a shopping spree, camping at Pearl Lake, or making her seven-layered salad or Christmas cookies.
Jan. 22, 2026:
Bonnie L. Moore, 85, Roscoe
A local realtor for nearly half a century, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and not a day went by without her smile and laughter shining through. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, cooking and so much more.
Jan. 23, 2026:
Robert F. Lawhorn, 101, Rockton
From an orphanage in Normal, he was raised by Roscoe civic leaders Kay and Alice McCurry. He graduated from Hononegah in 1943 and served as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II. He continued his service through the Korean War. Ater that, he traveled the country consulting and maintaing heat treating systems. He enjoyed flying civilian aircraft and spent much time maintaining Rockton United Methodist Church.
Jan. 26, 2026:
Margaret A. Cox, Rockton
She was the proud owner and operator of Peggy’s Coiffeurs in South Beloit, IL and Center Stage Hair Design in Rockton, IL. She and her husband designed, built, and restored many historical, commercial and residential properties over the years. She was known for her contagious laugh and sense of humor.
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Other recent obituaries
Death notices for the far Stateline: Jan. 20, 2026
Death notices for the far Stateline: Jan. 12, 2026
Death notices for the far Stateline: Jan. 5, 2026
Death notices for the far Stateline: Dec. 29, 2025
Families from Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit may send birth, wedding, or funeral announcements at no charge to editor@roscoenews.com. Many images were enhanced using Hotpot.ai.
