11-04-2024 12:02am

Death notices for the Stateline: Nov. 4, 2024

Michael McGinnis Editor

Glenn Blair, Terry Backens, Margery Spencer, Gerald Garbe, Rick Kelley, James Whitley, Ronald Franiak, Michael Jones

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

Oct. 13, 2024:
Steven Garber, 75, South Beloit
He and his wife of 50 years lived on South Bluff Street. His wife says, "I loved you with all my heart... I'll see when Jesus calls me home," and adds, "He was just sitting in his chair and leaned over and he was gone."

Oct. 15, 2024:
Rick Kelley, 67, Rockton
A salesman at Northern Lights, he was an avid Star Wars fan and loved the Bears, Bulls and White Sox. And classic cars.

Oct. 24, 2024:
Ronald Franiak, 82, Roscoe
Studying dentistry conflicted with his baseball schedule. But after several major league tryouts, he spent over 50 years as a biology teacher, guidance counselor, coach, and sports official.

Margery Spencer, 85, Roscoe
A member of the Sweet Adelines Choir for many years, she loved baking banana bread for everyone’s birthday and making her famous Merry Maker Cookies at Christmas time with her granddaughters.

Oct. 26, 2024:
A. Elnor McDonald, 91, Roscoe
She eloped with the love of her life in 1950. They were married for 73 years.

Oct. 27, 2024:
Glenn Blair, 79, South Beloit
He enjoyed playing slow pitch softball and observing his grandchildren playing fast pitch softball.

Oct. 28, 2024:
Michael Jones, 72, Roscoe
He flew to all 48 contiguous states as an avid pilot. At Barber Colman and Mentor Graphics, he was admired by co-workers and clients alike.

Oct. 29, 2024:
Gerald Garbe, 80, South Beloit
A former Sundstrand employee, he was inducted into the Greater Beloit Bowling Hall of Fame.

Oct. 29, 2024:
James Whitley, 86, Roscoe
He worked at Barber Colman (Gleason) from 1963 to 2000, but continued doing deburring for them after his retirement.

Oct. 30, 2024:
Terry Backens, 77, Rockton
With his daily lunch walk along the Rock River, he calculated he walked the equivalent to California and back - twice - during his 40 years at Sonoco in Rockton.

To receive these notices each week, you may sign up for our free email newsletter. 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.