Billie J. Maring

Billie J. Maring, 76, of Rockford, went to be with her beloved husband, Bert, at 12:26 p.m. Monday, September 9, 2013 after a battle with cancer. Billie was born September 6, 1937, in Success, Arkansas, daughter of Carl "Buck" and Occie Rich. She attended East High School and later married John Chabucos, who predeceased her November 4, 1963. She then married Bert A. Maring on December 5, 1964, in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rockford. Billie served as Secretary and Treasurer of Total Plumbing, Ltd., her husband's thriving plumbing company in the Rockford construction community, until Bert retired and the business was sold in 2001. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed. She was Bert's loving caregiver for several years until he passed of cancer on May 12, 2004. She was very involved with her children in their schools and Girl Scouts. She was an avid bowler in her younger years and in her later years, golf became her passion. She loved travelling and being a "snow-bird" in Naples, FL, where she was a member of Naples Heritage Golf and Country Club. She was the "second mother" to many of her children's friends, hosting pool parties, teaching them how to play poker and the many "guidelines" or "Billie-ism's" of life to live by. She was affectionately known as "TBill" by her family, and consistently spoke her mind, even if it called for an occasional "humph". Survivors include daughters, Julie (John) Dreixler and Debra Beyer; son, Daniel (Jorie) Maring; grandchildren, Jarrett Beyer, Jillian and Jenna Dreixler, and Sarah and Emma Maring; great-granddaughter, Addi Beyer; special brother/sister-in-law, Joe (Maniena) Maring and niece, Alexandra; special cousins, Vonna Ketcham and Len (Maxine) Hart; sisters, Carlene (Herb) Meyer, Jr., Linda Cellitti and Judy Oliver; close friends, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents, Carl and Occie; mother/father in-law, Rosel and Bill Stonewall, Sr. Special thanks for the care provided by Teresa, Lily and the team from Hospice Care of America, Verna from In Home Personal Services, and the physicians at the CancerCareCenter of OSF.

Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am, Thursday, September 12, 2013, in Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas Bales, celebrant. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery, 1700 Rural St., Rockford. Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, between the hours of 6 and 8pm and one hour before the service time Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Care of America, 3815 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61114 or Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, 2820 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL 61107.