In memoriam: deaths in 2025
We remember those who are no longer with us in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit.
With sadness and yet with affection, each week in 2025 we announced the deaths of many neighbors in Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit.
Jan. 5, 2026
Dec. 29, 2025
Terry A. Stieg, 61, Rockton
He worked at the Roscoe Walmart, where he enjoyed sharing stories with his co-workers and helping customers. He loved sports, all things cars, playing darts at local bars, and playing cars or dinosaurs with his grandson.
Dr. William T. Allaben, 86, Rockton
He built a distinguished career as a toxicologist in Arkansas with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Dec. 22, 2025
Dec. 15, 2025
Ronald G. Larrison, 85, Rockton
He enjoyed his membership in a club that shot targets in sequence using Old West-style single-action firearms.
Dec. 8, 2025
Dec. 1, 2025
John F. Sundstedt, 95, Roscoe
He taught school for 30 years and served as a trustee for the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department. In retirement, his woodworking skills attracted many fans at art shows.
Nov. 24, 2025
Nov. 17, 2025
Darlene M. Speich, 93, Roscoe
Affectionately known as "Sarge," she did not worry about “work-life balance.” She just worked. Raised on a dairy farm, she loved animals.
Nov. 10, 2025
Nov. 3, 2025
Carl J. Briscoe, 99, South Beloit
In 1943, he went from South Beloit High School into the Navy. He served on the South Beloit school board and became South Beloit mayor. He was a member of the South Beloit American Legion for 79 years and served as its commander.
Oct. 27, 2025
Oct. 20, 2025
James Benkovich, 80, Rockton
He was president of the Hononegah school board, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 620, and was elected twice as Roscoe Township Supervisor.
Oct. 13, 2025
Oct. 6, 2025
Raymond A. Nyen, 95, Roscoe
He played guitar in the Nyen Nordic Band alongside his brothers and son, recognized for their Norwegian song “Ole Nyen’s Waltz.”
Sept. 29, 2025
Sept. 22, 2025
William M. Walker, 65, Roscoe
He ran the lure for thousands of AKC dogs in a timed 100-yard dash.
Sept. 15, 2025
Sept. 8, 2025
Daniel L. McCullough, 86, Roscoe
He taught reading and spelling to 7th & 8th graders at Kinnikinnick School before the establishment of Roscoe Middle School.
Sept. 1, 2025
Aug. 25, 2025
Aug. 18, 2025
Barbara J. Hurn, 93, Shirland
Known as “Babs,” she was the creator and caretaker of Stumpy, Shirland's beloved landmark, which is taller than she was.
Aug. 11, 2025
Aug. 4, 2025
Benjamin Harder, 97, South Beloit
Born in Switzerland, he was a home delivery milkman for over 50 years.
July 21, 2025
July 14, 2025
Norman Johnson, 78, South Beloit
Called "Terry" or "Boomer T," he raced his 1939 Coup and 1957 Chevy at the Byron Raceway.
July 7, 2025
June 30, 2025
Loren Floto, 82, Rockton
He taught Spanish at Hononegah and served on the Talcott Library board. A dedicated volunteer, in his younger years, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Latin America.
June 23, 2025
June 16, 2025
Mike Cowan, 73, Roscoe
In his younger years he was a stock car racer and scuba diver. Quick witted and a joker, he owned Capital City Antique and had a passion for refinishing furniture.
June 9, 2025
June 2, 2025
Dick Meyers, 78, Shirland
A Navy veteran, he served as Winnebago County Sheriff for 17 years of his 47 year law enforcement career. He enjoyed farming and attending steam thresher shows.
May 26, 2025
May 19, 2025
Betty May Homer, 101, South Beloit
She attended a one room school through the 8th grade, worked as a secretary after World War II, and helped found a Boy Scout troop.
May 12, 2025
May 5, 2025
Kathie S. Gummow, 81, Rockton
She served as Rockton Township Supervisor from 2005 to 2009, and with the Rockton Women’s Club, Rockford Rotary Club, and League of Women Voters.
Apr. 28, 2025
Apr. 21, 2025
Donald J. Wilder, 76, Roscoe
He retired as Roscoe Police Chief after more than 30 years in law enforcement. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the Packers.
Apr. 14, 2025
Apr. 7, 2025
Gayle Keefer, 97, Rockton
She served over 41 years on the Talcott Library board, including as board president. She started a Girl Scout troop in the log cabin on Main Street in Rockton.
Mar. 24, 2025
Mar. 17, 2025
Anna L. Mathes, 91, South Beloit
Born in Pigeon Lake, Manitoba, Canada of Russian Mennonite immigrants, she served in Paraguay and Chicago with the Mennonite Central Committee as a young woman.
Mar. 10, 2025
Mar. 3, 2025
Thomas Lowery, 75, Roscoe
He joined the Marines during the Vietnam War and retired 28 years later as Master Sergeant. He worked 14 years at the Post Office, then 9 years as a bus driver.
Feb. 24, 2025
Feb. 17, 2025
John Rossato, Sr., 97, Roscoe
Enlisting at age 17 during World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy until 1946. He was a leader in the Roscoe VFW Post 2955 for many years, laying a wreath in the Rock River each Pearl Harbor Day.
Feb. 10, 2025
Feb. 3 2025
Pat McCleary, 88, South Beloit
For over three decades, he led the family-owned snack food business McCleary Inc./Axium Food.
Jan. 27, 2025
Jan. 20, 2025
Sarah Valdivieso, 91, Roscoe
Born in Ecuador, she learned English from TV and records. At St. Peter’s in South Beloit, she wanted to pray for people by name even if she did not know them.
Jan. 15, 2025
Jan. 6, 2025
Dee Ott, 81, Rockton
She coordinated the National Day of Prayer in Rockton for more than 25 years and led Bible studies and prayer groups in her home for decades.
