James E Rose

James E. Rose, 68, of Rockford, died peacefully on Saturday, October 21, 2017; with his family at this side. Jim was born in Rockford on May 4, 1949; son of John E. and Ellen F. “Sis” (Crawford) Rose. He worked for Ameritech for 33 years where he made many close friends. Jim graduated from Boylan High School in 1967. He married his high school sweetheart and first love, Mary Kathleen Phelps on October 3, 1970, and they spent 31 years together before her passing in 2002. Jim and his family loved spending time at the cabin in Lac du Flambeau, and for the last 30 years would spend time there “fishing”. Jim honorably served in the Illinois National Guard, was a proud Boylan Booster, spent time as basketball coach in St. Peters School, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as usher at St. Peter Cathedral.

Jim is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, Shannon (Luke) Symonds, Jim, Jr. (Nell) Rose, John (Katie) Rose, Michael (Maggie) Rose, Daniel (Amanda) Rose, Bill Rose, and Matthew (Meaghan) Rose; grandchildren, Reilly, Sam, Alex, Mackenzie, Luke, Dottie, Isabel, Tommy, Maggie, Annie, Mary Margaret, Gracie, Gavin, Jace, Molly, Makayla, Danny, Conley, Hadley, and Finley; step-grandchildren, Dominic and Lorenzo Ferrell; stepchildren, David (Jessie) Ferrell, Brandi Ferrell; siblings, Carole Rose, Patrick Rose; numerous nieces, nephews, brother and sister in-laws. He is predeceased by wife Mary, his parents; stepmother, Bea Rose; sister and brother in-law, Jackie and Dick Petersen; niece, Renee Ring; brother in-law, Lenny Welter.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 27, 2017; at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford, IL, 61103, with a visitation from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. Burial will follow to Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will also be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Phelps-Rose Memorial Fund at Boylan High School. Share condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com