Jearl "Jeary" Devon Cook

Jearl “Jeary” DeVon Cook, 87, of Rockford, passed away on June 28, 2017 at Mercy Health Hospital. Born April 1, 1930, in Fairmont, MN, the son of Arnold E. & Bertha A. (Wolford) Cook. Graduated Sherburn High School, class of 1948. Jeary moved to the Rockford area in 1950, coming here from Sherburn, MN. Married Maxine Koch on August 20, 1950. She predeceased him on October 16, 2000. Later married Lois E. (Herlyn) Ihne in Rockford on April 20, 2002. He began working at Ford Tool for 4 years at the young age of 12 years old, during WWII. Later Amerock Corp for 25 years and then owned and operated DeVon Machine for 14 years. He retired in March 2001. Member of Riverside Assembly of God. Jeary was known for his gentle spirit and enjoyed playing his saxophone in church as well as with the Rockford Christian Fellowship Band. He was loved by all who knew him.
Survivors include wife Lois; children Kathleen (Rev. Scott) Emerson, Germaine (Lester) Battist, Dawn Cook and Maribeth (Michael) Wagner; grandchildren Jason (Kelly) Emerson, Marisha (Kevin) Staub, Mark (Melissa), Phillip (Natalie), Daniel (Alissa) Battist, and Mikayla Wagner; sister Marlene Schaefer. Wife’s children Paula (Richard) Hawkins and Douglas Ihne; grandchildren Brenda (Richard) Amburgey, Bradley (Latisha) Hawkins, Brian Hawkins, Trenton (Janet), Quenton (Brandy) Ihne. Predeceased by parents, first wife Maxine, 4 brothers Robert, Wallace, Armand, and Willis.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the Riverside Assembly of God. Visitation from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. Memorials may be made to Riverside Assembly of God, 4242 West Riverside, Rockford, IL.
Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL, 61103 –send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com