William John Eilders

William John Eilders, 78, of Rockford, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015, at OSF Saint Anthony Hospital. Bill was born on November 16, 1937, in Freeport, IL; to parents, John and Berniece Eilders. He graduated from Lena High School in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ann Gartner on June 24, 1956. At this time, Bill was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was expecting deployment to Japan less than a month after their marriage. While living in Sikeston, MO, Bill graduated from Southeast Missouri State University, class of 1980, in Cape Girardeau, MO. During his professional career, Bill was the General Manager at National Lock and Rock Valley Packaging. Bill was a member of Court Street United Methodist Church, but recently called Christ United Methodist Church his church home. He earned awards through the Christ United Methodist Church for his extensive study of the Bible.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Eilders; two sons, Jeffrey (Sandra) Eilders and Douglas Eilders; four grandchildren, Hope (Jesse) VanEtten, Kathryn Eilders, Hannah (Corey) Nenninger, and Steven Eilders; four great-grandchildren, Camdyn Nenninger, Anna Eilders, Connor Nenninger, and Baylee VanEtten; two sister-in-laws, Norma Eilders and Judy Eilders.
He is predeceased by his parents; his son, Timothy S. Eilders; two brothers, Roger Eilders and James Eilders; mother and father-in-law, Elmer “Dutch” and Helen Gartner.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL, 61107; with Pastor Scott Himel officiating. Visitation will be at Church from 10:00 AM until time of service on Tuesday. Burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Freeport, IL. Memorial donations in Bill’s name may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, Don Carter Lanes in care of the Veteran Association, or to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. Funeral arrangements cared for by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com