John W. Wilhelm

John W. Wilhelm, 83, Rockford, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at home. Born on September 25, 1937, in Beloit, WI, the son of Walter and Isabel (Pond) Wilhelm. He graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1955 and later attended Rock Valley College to get his Associates degree. John worked many years as a Safety Director for Sundstrand and Gunite. He was a Safety Inspector for OSHA before retiring. John was a member of New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church. He married the love of his life, Kathryn on June 6, 1959. Lovingly, they raised their two children and were the best grandparents to five grandchildren.
John loved to travel. Among numerous family cross country driving vacations, he and Kathryn visited Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, Disney World, Europe and Israel. John loved to read and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packer fan. He loved listening to jazz music especially from the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra. He was devoted to his wife and family and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his son, Gary (Diane) Wilhelm; daughter, Karyn (Mike) Theisen; grandchildren, Nate and Becca Theisen, Taylor and Keely Martin, and Sunee Madden; great granddaughters, Shye, Kally, and Isabelle; great great grandchildren, Carter, Addie, and Maliah. Predeceased by parents and wife, Kathryn in 2016.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, there will be a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108.

Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in his memory. Arrangements made by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com