Emmet Bud Poyer

Emmet ""Bud"" Poyer, 85, of Rockford, died on October 29, 2007 in River Bluff Nursing Home after a courageous battle with cancer. Emmet was born on February 10, 1922 in Marengo, IL the son of Claude and Mary (Sheahan) Poyer. Emmet was raised in Marengo and Belvidere and moved to Rockford where he met and married Alice Carlson on November 26, 1942. Emmet was a U.S.Navy Veteran of WW II. He had worked as a tool and die maker for George Roper Corporation. He became a representative for the International United Auto Workers Union in 1949 and later became the National Coordinator of Organizing. He was a famous, well-known labor leader who constantly fought for the working man. He had fought for womens rights and was a card carrying member of the NAACP. Emmet was an avid pigeon flyer. Emmet and Zeke Giorgi started the Pigeon Bill in Illinois with the help of Gov. Jim Thompson. Emmet was very active in the Democratic Party, especially in the 60s. Emmets love of his life was his wife Alice and he loved spending time with is grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Emmet is survived by his wife, Alice; his daughters, Suzanne C. McDonald, Mary Jo (Robert) Short and Vicki J. Fulton; his grandchildren, Brad Abrahamson, Michael (Mary) McDonald, Elizabeth (John) Tassoni, Steven (Gretchen) Johnson, Molly (Craig) Wilcox, Gary (Sarah) Cook, Hannah Fulton and Emily Fulton; his great-grandchildren, Dominic Tassoni, Matthew McDonald, Lucas Tassoni, Olivia Wilcox, Natalie Johnson, Julia Tassoni, Mason Wilcox and Grant Johnson and many nieces and nephews. Emmet was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Helen Ainsworth and Dorothy Feltz. Funeral services for Emmet will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. Interment will be private. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 from 4 p.m. 7 p.m. Family and friends may