Arnold "Arnie" V. Bailey

Arnold “Arnie” V. Bailey, Jr, 71, Belvidere, passed away Friday, November 16, 2018, at Morning Star Village. He was born February 20, 1947, in Ottawa, the son of Arnold V. and Wilda (Poutre) Bailey, Sr. Arnie was a US Army veteran. He married Nancy Bonnet in Lena on November 18, 1967. “Bear” was employed at Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere for 34 years and served as a Union Steward for UAW Local 1268 for many years. Arnie was a Corvette enthusiast. He enjoyed working on and racing his Corvettes. He and Nancy are members of the Northern Illinois Corvette Club, where he served as Governor for over 35 years.
Survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Nancy; his sons, Mike (Stacie) Bailey and Stephen (Carolina) Bailey, both of Erie, CO; his grandchildren, Aidan and Ellarie Bailey; his brother, Tom Bailey of Ottawa; his sisters, Darlene (Ed) Hettel of Grand Ridge and Marlene (John) Norris of DeKalb; his father-in-law, Robert Bonnet of Lena and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Wolfram Bonnet.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather “grampy”, brother, uncle and friend. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support, including doctors, nurses and staff who cared for Arnie at OSF Hospital and OSF Cancer Care Center, especially Dr. Mete Korkmaz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the name of Arnie Bailey to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1999, Memphis TN 38101.
There will be a Celebration of Life gathering on Friday, November 23, 2018, at from 3 to 7PM at Forest Hills Country Club, 5135 Forest Hills Rd, Rockford, IL 61114.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.