Laverne Lynch

LaVerne Lynch , 92, Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Verne went to join his wife Barb in heaven on April 2, 2018 at Wesley Willows with family by his side. Born December 23, 1925 in Rochelle IL, the son of LaVerne and Sara Lynch. Verne married the love of his life, Barbara Puricelli on April 23, 1949 at St. Anthony of Padua church in Rockford. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and served in the US Navy in WW II. Verne worked for Smith Oil Corporation for 30 years. His last position there was Personnel Manager. He then worked for First National Bank in personnel for 10 years and served as loan executive for
United Way. Verne and his wife Barb were charter members of Saint Bernadette Catholic Church where Verne served as Usher, Eucharistic Minister and served St. Vincent DePaul dinners. Verne had a great sense of humor
and enjoyed his monthly “choir practice” (poker club) with his friends Jack, Carl and Bob. He was a very kind man and loved spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed stamp collecting, ceramic painting, and collected Smith Oil memorabilia. He also had a unique postmark collection. Verne is survived by: daughter, Susan (LeRoy) Comins of Oregon; son, Thomas (Monica) Lynch of Loves Park; grandchildren, Roger (Riley) Comins of Oregon, David (Amy) Lynch of Rockton, Tara (Jim) Miller of Prophetstown, Matthew Lynch of Machesney Park; Lori Comins of South Beloit; great-grandchildren, Joseph Harriett, Owen and Ella Miller of Prophetstown, Ava and Damon Lynch of Rockton, and Bishop Comins of Oregon; many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by wife, Barbara, parents, sister
Pearl (William) Reiter, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rudy and Betty Puricelli.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Wesley Willows who cared for Verne so lovingly. Thank you to Heartland Hospice for their assistance and care the last several months.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the church. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Verne’s name to the Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund 4141 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, Illinois 61103, St. Bernadette Catholic Church 2400 Bell Ave. Rockford, Illinois 61103 or Heartland Hospice 363 Financial Ct #300, Rockford, IL 61107. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.