Ben T. Schleicher

BEN T. SCHLEICHER, 90 MAYOR BEN Ben T. Schleicher, 90, lifelong Rockford resident, died at 11:40 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2007 in River Bluff Nursing Home. Born October 4, 1916, son of Charles and Alice Hammer Schleicher. Graduated from Rockford Central High School in 1934. Married Evelyn G. Waltz in Rockford on May 1, 1936; she predeceased him in 1991. On June 4, 1993 he married Sharon Richmond DeVilbiss. Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he was involved in the Stephens Ministry and had served as Chairman of the Church. He was employed as a tool maker/machinist at Woodward Governor Company for 32 years. He was a member of the Woodward Governor Company ""25 Year Club"" . Ben was a Rockford Alderman for 8 years, and in 1957 was elected for 4 consecutive terms as the Mayor of Rockford. He was the longest serving mayor in the history of the city. During his time in office he truly believed in an ""open door"" policy and helped many people better their lives with jobs and housing. He truly loved the city and citizens of Rockford with all of his heart and soul. He retired as an investigator from the Illinois Attorney Generals Office Consumer Fraud Division where he worked for 8 years. Ben was also known for his wonderful sense of humor and an occasional prank. He loved all of Rockford School Districts High School sports and was one of their biggest fans. Survivors include his wife, Sharon; son, Ben K. (Judi) Schleicher; daughter, Sally J. (Tom) Ross; grandchildren, Kimberly (Mike) Jaeger, Daniel (Stacy) Ross and great-grandchildren, Paige and Haley Jaeger and Emily and Samuel Ross. Also predeceased by his brothers, Carl, Robert, Larue (Rudy), Richard, and his twin brother, Franklin; sisters, Mabel and Betty and his grandsons, Ben K. Schleicher, Jr. and Charles L. Schleicher. A funeral service to honor the life of Ben T. Schleicher will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 600 N. Horsman with Rev. David J.Thies and Rev. Larry R. Yaw officiating. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. A time of visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date or to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.