Gerrie Harshbarger was elected Roscoe's first Village Clerk

Geraldine (Gerrie) Harshbarger was secretary to superintendents at Kinnikinnick Grade School in Roscoe and Hononegah High School in Rockton. Most of the time she was a stay at home mom. She was proud of being elected the first Village Clerk of Roscoe, which was incorporated in 1965.

She died on Nov. 20, 2022 at her home in Rockton, IL.

Gerrie was born May 11, 1934 to Celeste (Field) and Earl Eugene Mallicoat in Rockford Township. Gerrie attended Loves Park Grade School, then at 344 Grand Avenue, thru 7th grade. Her parents bought a farm in Owen Township, and she attended Owen Center Grade School. She was one of three that graduated from the one-room school. Later, she attended Hononegah High School, graduating in 1952.

After graduation she worked at Sundstrand Aviation on 11th Street in Rockford, first in the purchasing department, and then as a secretary. In June 12, 1954 she married the love of her life, Howard Harshbarger. They were married 68 years, with four beautiful children, Roger, Kim Johnson, Angie Fulton, and Jennifer Lanagan.

When you subscribe to our newsletter, the news comes to you.

During her married years Gerrie was a member of Beloit Christians, Rockton Women's Club and Rockton Garden Club. Gerrie was a member of the Old Stone Church in Rockton. She enjoyed scrapbooking, traveling, flowers, entertaining, and decorating. Her house was always adorned with bouquets and stands of flowers. Decorating at holiday time was her passion. She loved to entertain and would use beautiful settings for even the smallest of get-to-gathers. She and Howard had many timeshares which gave them the opportunity to travel often. She also loved clothes and always dressed with the best.

Gerrie is survived by her husband Howard; son Roger (Roxie); daughters Kim Johnson (Lloyd), Angie Fulton (Ken Klowsky) and Jen Lanagan (Chris); grandchildren Jeremiah Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Nate Fulton, Lindsay Fulton, Michael Harshbarger, Alyssa Lanagan and Mackenzie Lanagan; great-grandchildren Neva, Finn, Odin, Abram and Jordy; sisters Betty Larson, Kay Tichenor and Jean Truman; brother Tom and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law Doug Fulton, grandson Justin Harshbarger and step-sister Dorothy Malone.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on December 10, 2022 in Old Stone Church, 101 East Union St., Rockton, IL with Reverend Wang officiating, after cremation rites are accorded. A memorial visitation will be held at the Church from 9:30 a.m. until time of ceremony.

More News from Roscoe

• Municipal meetings for Rockton, South Beloit, and Roscoe On the agendas: Roscoe street improvements, labyrinth at Settlers Park, Chicory Ridge garage sales, demolishing the Garden Hotel
• Saturday's Old Settlers Days headliner Warren Zeiders wins a Country Music Award Zeiders, who won the CMA Breakthrough Male Video of the Year for Pretty Little Poison, will be in Rockton in June.