Lee C. Hoover

Lee C. Hoover Jr., 88 of Rockford, died on Monday, February 19, 2007 at Swedish American Hospital. Born September 7, 1918 in Beaumont, TX, the son of Lee C. and Ella (Bessell) Hoover Sr. A 1936 graduate of Rockford High School. Married his loving wife Valerie S. Wieczorek on October 25, 1941. Entered into the United States Army in 1941 serving in the European Theater during WWII with the 58th Armored Field Artillery. At time of discharge in 1945 he was ranked as a Tech 4 Sergeant. Was employed by Rockford Illustrating for 18 years before becoming his own boss. He owned and operated L & R Rubber Stamp Service for 48 years, retiring in 2005. Church memberships included Cathedral of St. Peter, St. Bernadette and St. Bridget Catholic Church. Lee enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, he was very active at St. Bernadette, Boylan High School and the Moose Lodge. He loved Big Band music and his favorite entertainer was Tony Bennett. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rockford Supportive Living, Swedish American Hospital Staff, Sisters Cafa© and Cliffbreakers. Survivors include his children, Thomas ""Tom"" (Luci) Hoover of Rockford, Marsha (Bill) Koenings-Hursh of Belvidere, Steven ""Steve"" (Karen) Hoover of Cherry Valley and Karen (Jim) Villebro of Freeport; grandchildren, Alicia (Mike) Howse, Chrissy (Nick) Harris, Amy (Jerrod) Hawkins, Daniel (Jenny) Koenings, Jeff Hursh (Megan Gustafson), Christine (Randy) Opheim, David (Shelley) Koenings, Angie Koenings, Jonathan (Inese) Hoover, Adam (Kari) Hoover, Eric (Brooke) Hoover, Nicholas Farrey, Christopher Farrey, Natalie (Nick) Marienthal, Jennifer Villebro (Peter Rameriz), Jessica (Thomas) Kral; great grandchildren, Evan, Jack, Jair, Cole, Jayden, Dylan, Zandis and 3 on the way; sisters, Delores (Bill) Koopman and Alice (Don) Anderson both of Machesney Park; brother, Marvin (Bobbie) Hoover of Arkansas; sister-in-law, Donna Wieczorek of North Carolina and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife on March 1, 1998; brother, Earl Hoover and 2 son-in-laws; David Koenings and Randy Farrey. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 11:00 at­­­­­­­­­­ Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd., with Rev. David E. Beauvais officiating. Interment in St. Mary/St. James Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9-11 on Sat. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to the Boylan Scholarship Fund.