Deaths

Death notices for the Stateline: June 30, 2025

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

Michael McGinnis

Jun 30, 2025 — 3 min read

Shirley Cotter, Judith Rygh, Lauren Rose, Duke Geng, Jack Bittrick, Haylee Lounsbury, Jeff Bergeron

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

June 11, 2025:
Duke Geng, 84, Rockton
He was an avid reader, you could always find him in his favorite chair or on his deck with a book in his hands. He had a great sense of humor which he kept until his last days providing his nurses with laughs.

June 20, 2025:
Robert D. Gummow, 97, Rockton
He grew up farming with his father and became a heavy machinery operator. Joining the Army after World War II, he was stationed in Germany and was active in the Roscoe VFW. He and his wife joined the Porsche Club in 1959.

June 22, 2025:
Lauren A. Rose, 31, Rockton
After graduating from Hononegah in 2012, she became a skilled machinist. She enjoyed hiking and spending time outdoors, as well as playing board games and card games with her boys, friends and family.

June 23, 2025:
Haylee R. Lounsbury, 21, South Beloit
A 2022 graduate of South Beloit High School, she was devoted to her son, taking him to parks and splash pads. She was a true and loving caregiver, employed by Guiding Hands and Willowick.

June 24, 2025:
Jeffrey D. Bergeron, 63, Roscoe
A 1980 graduate of Hononegah High School, he ran his own painting business for more than 30 years.

Shirley J. Cotter, 95, South Beloit
A 1947 graduate of South Beloit High School, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Martha Circle at church. After raising four children with her husband and managing a home nursing service, they traveled overseas together.

June 26, 2025:
John (Jack) Bittrick, 97, Roscoe
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and accepted Christ as his savior in 1976. In the car business, he was known for his honesty, warmth, and deep knowledge of cars.

June 28, 2025:
Judith A. Rygh, 84, Rockton
She was an active part of Rock House Kids and many other charities. She prayed for world peace. She spent 38 years in the banking field and enjoyed quilting, oil painting, vacations, and life itself.