John L. Reppen

John (Jack) L. Reppen, 91, of Rockford, peacefully passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born February 13, 1926, in Madison, WI, the son of Joseph & Auriella (Morrissey) Reppen. He served in Guam as Army Staff-Sargent near the end of WWII. Jack married the love of his life, Erma DalCollo, in Rockford on November 28, 1953, sharing 63 extraordinary years together. He was a devout Catholic and member of St. Bridget Catholic Church. Jack was a charter member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, lifetime member of Knights of Columbus and Harmony Club. He was a carpenter by trade and recently received his 60-year pin with Carpenter’s Local 792. Jack was proud of the duplex he built at the beginning of his marriage. As his family grew, he designed and constructed a family home with a beauty shop so his wife could work at home while raising their 6 daughters and where he happily lived the remaining years of his life. Jack’s exceptional carpentry skills are etched in numerous commercial buildings and schools, including Boylan High School. Jack retired at 62 and continued to enjoy working at his rental properties. He was truly a “Jack-of-all-Trades” who volunteered his time as a handyman to anyone who could benefit from his wealth of knowledge and skills. Jack celebrated his Norwegian and Irish heritage by traveling to Europe. He cherished spending time with his wife, daughters, and extended family and friends. His gentle, fun-loving, and kind-hearted personality will forever remain in our hearts as we remember his smile, stories, laughter, and “Jack Jokes”.
Survivors include wife Erma; daughters, Angie Reppen, Judy Reppen-Sonneson, Debbie Reppen-Lucas (Randy), Sue Reppen, Barbara Reppen and Jacolyn (Jacob) Fitzgerald; grandchildren Sean (Beth), Brach and Krista Sonneson, Branden and Jared Lucas, and Reese Fitzgerald; great-granddaughter, Hadley Sonneson; sister, Sr. Dorothy Ann Reppen, sisters-in-law, Doris, Mary, and Anne Reppen and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, David, Sr. Margaretta, Fr. Robert, Clifford, Mary Cae Kelly, William, Richard and Daniel.
The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of Jack’s health-care providers for their love, compassionate care, and support.
Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2330 Bell Ave., Rockford, with nephew, Fr. Don Ahles, officiating. Burial at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation Friday, May 5, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorials to St. Bridget's Food Pantry. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.