Jim Stroup

Jim Stroup, 70, Rockford, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014, at SwedishAmerican Hospital. He was born February 17, 1944, in San Diego, California, the son of Earl and Bernice (Stewman) Stroup. Jim served in the Air Force for 4 years. He married Patricia Reynolds at St. Patrick Catholic Church on November 15, 1986. He worked at J.L. Clark in the lithography department for 30 years and after retiring, he worked as a seasonal worker for the Rockford Park District at Levings Lake. He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and a member of the SBSA at St. Bernadette and was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim enjoyed helping customers at Granma’s Vegetable Stand and was a volunteer fireman and trustee for The West Suburban Fire Protection District for 28 years, retiring this past year due to poor health. Jim’s favorite thing to do was TINKER!
Survived by his wife, Pat; his sons, Brian and James Stroup; his brothers, Jack (Diane) Stroup of Rockford and Ed (Terri) Stroup of Colorado; his sister, Joan(Greg) Miller of Georgia; his brother-in-law, John (Betty) Reynolds of Machesney Park; his uncle, Richard Reinschmidt of Loves Park; his aunt, Hazel Aude of So. Beloit; his step mother, Charlotte Stroup; many special cousins, nieces, and nephews; special friends, Cliff and Clara McLain, the Ken Gilgan family and the Seymour family; special adopted families, the David Toney family, the Mark Haddad family, the Jim Burger family, and the Anthony Tranter family; special friends, Carl Stewart, Ralph Anderson, Kurt Johnson, Tom Hughes, Tony Choppi, and Joe Musso; many other friends, neighbors and fellow firefighters; and his St. Bernadette community family. Predeceased by his parents, his step-mother, Trudy Stroup; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, November 13, 2014, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Av. Rockford, with Reverend Karl P. Ganss and Monsignor Thomas Dzielak concelebrating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 12, 2014, with the Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Av. and from 9:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M. on Thursday at the church. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.