Cover photo for Chellis F. French's Obituary
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1914 Chellis 2014

Chellis F. French

October 23, 1914 — November 25, 2014

Chellis F. French, Jr., 100, Rockford, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014. He was born in Rockford, IL on October 23, 1914 to Chellis F. French and Elizabeth Parks Andrews. He lived in Yokahama Japan for several years as a boy, returning to Rockford in 1922. Graduated from Rockford High School in 1933 and Dartmouth College in 1937. Chellis returned to Chicago to work and met Marion Stenholm on a blind date. They were married in 1941. He joined the Air Force in 1942 and served during World War II as part of the Seventh Statistical Control Unit attached to the Western Flying Training Command. He came back to Rockford after the war and was the Insurance Manager for Greenlee Bros. until his retirement in 1979. Chellis was a life-long community volunteer. He served on the first Human Relations Committee, H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities Made Equal), was a Laubach Literacy Tutor and an active lay member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. After retirement he volunteered at Rockford Memorial Hospital, the Friends of the Rockford Public Library, Winnebago County Council on Aging, Rockford Interfaith Council and helped found the Memorial Society. He was on the Board of New American Theater and the Gun Buy-Back Coalition. He was a weaver and the only male member of the Rockford Weaver’s Guild. Chellis and Marion had a wonderful marriage of 53 years. When she passed away in 1995, he was devastated, but his good heart and love of life brought him to St. Chad’s Episcopal Church where he met Regina Brenmark. They were married in 1998, and traveled during their 16 years together. They visited Britain, India, and Malta. Chellis loved the theatre and was thrilled to be able to perform at Starlight Theatre in “Guys and Dolls”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and starred as Captain Andy in his very favorite musical, “Show Boat” at the age of 90. He was an avid reader, fan of used bookstores, libraries, and the opera. He never stopped learning, studying religions and spirituality, and found great peace in simply being quiet, observing the world around him. He was grateful that he lived long enough to be retired more years than he worked, enjoying every minute with family and friends. Chellis was a man as unique as his name. Full of compassion, kindness, curiosity, and delight in all the gifts of life. He had a sense of grace and a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved wife, Regina Brenmark-French; Andrew French (Leanne), New York; Katharine Ramsey, Rockford; Charlie Laskonis (Laura), Rockford, Paul Laskonis, Portland, OR; Katherine Woodhouse, Portland, OR; Michael Laskonis (Asiya), Rockford; Bill Laskonis (Rita), Rockford; grandchildren: William Chellis French, New York; Charlie Laskonis, Hillary Laskonis, Jake Laskonis, Jahangir Laskonis, Romaan Laskonis, Nolan Laskonis, Alexandra Laskonis, Emerson Laskonis, all of Rockford and Sydney Woodhouse, Lauren Woodhouse and Gabija Laskonis in Portland, OR. Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 412 North Church St., Rockford. Donations in memory of Chellis can be made to Severson Dells Nature Preserve, 8786 Montague Rd., Winnebago, IL 61102 or Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61114. Arrangements made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. To express condolences online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

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