Wesley L. Zink

Wesley Lee Zink passed away peacefully on November 4, 2018 in the presence of his spouse and adult children after a battle with cancer. He was born August 31, 1943 in Pleasant Valley, Illinois to parents Frank and Marcella (Messmer) Zink. Wes was an amazing son, husband, father, and grandfather. Wes grew up and lived in several places throughout Northern Illinois including Lena, Illinois, where he met his spouse of 32 years, Mary (Heuer) Zink.

Wes graduated from Shannon High School in Shannon, Illinois in 1961 and went on to attend Highland Community College in Freeport, Illinois. It was here that Wes discovered his passion for the banking industry, as he went on to study and receive multiple certifications in the field of agricultural lending and finance. Wes’s professional career culminated in the position of President, Citizens State Bank, in Lena Illinois.

Wes was extremely proud to serve his community, family, and friends and demonstrated the embodiment of volunteerism through his selfless dedication and involvement with various community organizations. Wes held several key volunteer positions including Volunteer Fireman, Volunteer Ambulatory Rescue Technician, March of Dimes Treasurer, Lions Club Treasurer, as well as active stewardship with St. John’s Lutheran Church and parish membership of St. Rita Catholic Church following his conversion to Catholicism.

Wes was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and enjoyed spending his free time woodworking, fishing, tinkering on his hot rod, and playing with his dogs, Max and Lucy. Wes’s greatest joy in life though, was traveling and spending time with his family. Wes and Mary loved traveling the world together, visiting with their children and grandchildren, as well as time spent away sailing on cruises and vacationing on their favorite beaches in the Caribbean.

Wes is survived by his wife Mary Zink, children April Zink, Theresa Lovings and her husband Walter, Karen Niffenegger and her husband Ryan, Kristen Rife and her husband Jerod, grandchildren Trinity, Trenton, Treynor, Isaac, Samuel, and Elizabeth, and sister Ruth Perrin and her husband Bob. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Marcella Zink, and brother Allan Zink.

The family will receive friends at a Visitation at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, Illinois, 61109, on November 9, 2018 from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm, followed by the celebration of a Mass of the Resurrection at 2:00 pm. Wes will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport, Illinois at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Memorial donations may be made in Wesley's name to Northern Illinois Hospice or Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation.