Edward Walter Koteski

EDWARD WALTER KOTESKI, 83 ROCKFORD - Edward Walter Koteski, 83, of Rockford went home to our Lord on Jan. 19, 2008, in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family. Ed was born Dec. 20, 1924, in Bigfoot, Wis., the son of Mary and Jacob Koteski. Ed attended St. Stanislaus School and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving during the invasion at Normandy. Ed married Betty J. Edwards on May 29, 1948. He was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Church. He was semi-retired from Mid-States Screw. He was a huge Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Bears fan, providing him with a lifetime of celebrations and frustrations. He was also an avid fisherman and woodcrafter. Ed is survived by his wife, Betty; brother, Harry of Siletz, Ore.; children, Linda (Rodney) Swanson of Greensboro, N.C., Susan (John) Wilkening of Garden Prairie, Scott (Sherry) Koteski of Ashton and Jeffrey (Nancy) Koteski of Rockford; grandchildren, Craig, Cristy and Kaylee Swanson, Ben Otwell, Adam (Jennifer) Otwell, Nicholas and Aaron Koteski, Carissa Hoffman, Jacalyn and Garret Bradt, and Edward ""little Eddie"" Koteski; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Noah Otwell, Ben Otwell Jr. and Bryce Swanson; mother-in-law, Dora Edwards of Rockford; and many nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Mike, Emil, Robert, Leonard, Charles and Chester; and sisters, Pearl, Nell and Rose. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. prior to the Mass on Wednesday at the church. Private interment. Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice and Home Care.