Leo M. Ruefer

Leo M. Ruefer, Jr., 82, of Rockton died Friday morning, July 24, 2015 at home. Born August 9, 1932 to Leo M. Ruefer, Sr. and Catherine (Bowler) Ruefer in Rockford, Illinois. Attended Rockford Catholic grade schools and graduated from West Rockford high school in 1950. Leo played football and was named to the Rockford’s All City Team as a first team tight end. Received honorable mention on the All State Team. He received a football scholarship to Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, but his football career was cut short by a knee injury. During this time was the Korean War so he enrolled in a U.S. Marine College officer training program. When he was supposed to leave for camp the knee injury prevented him from serving. Leo went on to graduate from the American College Bryn Mawr PA with a C.L.U degree. Married Darlene O’Clare on February 15, 1958 and they had three sons. In 1962 he joined the Prudential Insurance Company as an agent in the Rockford District. He was promoted to sales manager in 1965. In 1970 Leo was promoted as a training consultant in the Chicago home office. In 1971 he was promoted to Regional Supervisor of the Illinois Region. In 1973 he was promoted to District Manager. He managed offices in Palatine, Schaumburg and the Rockford district. He retired in 1990. During his career he belonged to many professional organizations, including the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters, The National Association of Life Underwriters, when he completed their entire training program and was awarded the LUTCF designation. He was also a member of the General Agents and Managers Association. In addition to all of his insurance licenses he was also licensed by the National Association of Security dealers.During retirement he and Darlene traveled the country in their motor home. While in Florida, they found their winter home on Chokoloskee Island and boated and fished the 10,000 islands of the Everglades National Park. Leo was very proud of his family and their many talents. Especially proud of Darlene’s artisitic ability in oil painting and her way with horses. They raised appolosa horses when they lived in Lake County, Il. Leo was a proud father of his sons success in their homes and commercial building businesses. One of his fondest memories in this area was spending two months helping one of his sons build a log home in Northern Wisconsin for one of his clients. He always reveled in the accomplishments of his children and grandhcildren in their chosen endeavors which included-acting, baseball, cheerleading, golf, hockey, swimming, tennis and music including, singing and playing the piano and violin. He attended as many of the events as possible. Leo enjoyed all forms of outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing. His greatest times were the canoe trips with his family to the Boundry Waters Canoe Country in Northern Minnesota and Canada. Member of St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Survived by his wife, Darlene; Sons; Cory (Meg) Ruefer and Guy (Lynn) Ruefer; Grandchildren; Ellie, Ben, Christian, Sophie and Ava, Tyler, Jorden, Joey and Cole. Sister, Gloria (Vince) Verace and sister-in-law Linda Ruefer; Brother and Sister-in-laws; Roberta Celebron and Michael (Carolyn) Housewent. Many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, infant brother Donovan, in-laws Robert and Sybil Housewent and Loving Son Leo III in 1977 brother Ron and brother-in-law Tony.
Funeral Mass 11 am, Monday, July 27, 2015 at St. Peter Catholic Church in South Beloit, 620 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, Il 61080 with Fr. Stephen Sabo officiating. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.