Franklin L. Stomberg

Franklin Louis Stomberg, 83, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday January 9, 2019 at SwedishAmerican Hospital. He was born November 6, 1936 in Chana, IL; the son of Enno A Stomberg and Lela Mae (Feary) Stomberg, he was the 8th of 9 children. He married the love of his life, Eloise Mae Hoke on April 20, 1957 in Oregon, IL at the Methodist church. They have one son, Franklin Jr in Rockford.
After high school and during his working years he took some classes at Rock Valley College. He was also a member of the Rockford Men’s Toastmasters for a period of time before he moved to Elk Grove for a job in management.
They then moved back to Cherry Valley, IL to a 5 acre farmette which was the joy in his life and a labor of love. He truly enjoyed working on his old tractor and snowmobiling.
He retired from HMC Products as a manager in 2001. Frank was always quick to learn a new trade and very good at delegating and getting things done. He was sometimes referred to as the company man by many.
Among his other accomplishments in his earlier years, he was an expert tree climber, he had his CDL and could back up in any dock. As a young boy he worked for many farmers at harvest time in the Light House area on the Franklin Grove Oregon Black top where his folks lived for many years. He was a honey do man for everything that Eloise asked for and they enjoyed estate sales, they went to many flower garden shows and loved their own flower garden which was a butterfly garden most recently and enjoyed watching the butterflies on their deck and out the kitchen window. He loved his German Shepherds; Lady, Jake and Lady.
Franklin Jr.’s best friend was his father and he was always there to help his son with anything and advice. They like watching NASCAR races and going to the air show with brother-in-law and uncle, George Hoke who was also their best friend and would do anything for anyone. Frank was a great fan of country singers, such as Johnny Cash and Elvis to name a few.
Survived by his wife, Eloise; son, Franklin Jr; sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Hoke) Radue and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, siblings, Clara Mae Classen, Dorothy Elizabeth Morris, Gladys Irene Wallin, Charles Emmett, Donald Stomberg, Floris J. Dempsey, and Audrey Love.
Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Visitation from 11:30 until time of service. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com