Howard William Crosby

Howard William "Howie" Crosby LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, GREAT-GRANDFATHER Howard William "Howie" Crosby, 85, Rockford, died Monday, December 15, 2008, in Rockford Memorial Hospital. He was born April 9, 1923, in Rockford. The son of Bertie Leon and Tressa Memering Crosby, with whom he is now having a joyous reunion, together with his brothers Art, Kenneth, and Ben and his sisters, Lisle and Evie. Howie married Barbara Sweet in Rockton on December 28, 1968. He is a WWII Army Veteran and was fiercely patriotic and proud of his service in Guam and Saipan. He was in the first graduating class of West High School in 1941. Howie and Barbara owned Crosby Tax Service on 7th Street in Rockford, where he was a trusted tax practitioner for over 60 years. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness and willingness to trust people and always see the best in them. His strong sense of compassion for those in need was legendary. Howie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara; daughter, Pam (Bill) Yeager of Roscoe; son, Michael Crosby of Rockford, daughter, Sue (Jim) Jacobs of Durango, CO, Shawn Crosby of Toquerville, Utah; ten grandchildren, Didi (John) Finch, Brad and Jenni Yeager, Brent (Heather) Yeager, Jim (Heather) Yeager, Rob (Di) Berhrmann, Stephanie (Ralph) Castillo, Jae (Amanda) Behrmann, David (Karen) Behrmann and Michael (Christina) Berhrmann; twenty four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Glendoris Crosby; numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dogs, Callie, Katie, Megan, and OReilly. Predeceased by his parents, brothers, and sisters. Funeral Mass will be 10 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2008, in the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St. Rockford, IL 61103, with Fr. Kenneth Wasilewski, Celebrant and Monsignor William Clausen, and Fr. Paul White Concelebrants. Burial will be Saturday at Fairmount Cemetery in Polo. Visitation from 5pm until 7pm, with a Rosary recited at 6:45pm on Friday, December 19, 2008, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Rockton Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Av. Rockford, IL 61103 and from 9am until service time on Saturday at the church. A memorial will be established at a later date. To