Loyal E. Slaughter

Loyal E. Slaughter, 81, passed away on June 11, 2023. Born May 6, 1942, to Edgar B. Slaughter and Nellie L. Slaughter at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. He graduated from Rockford East High School in 1960 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army Security Agency for three years, 1960 to 1963. He married Melodee R. Bergstrom, of Rockford, on October 2, 1965, at Bethesda Covenant Church, Rockford, Illinois. Loyal lived his entire life in Rockford and was dedicated to serving his community. He was employed for 24 years as a Rockford Police Officer, retiring in 1993 as a Youth Detective. He worked as a Private Investigator and Security Consultant for 15 years, served as a Grand Jury Bailiff for Winnebago County for three years, worked part-time as an officer with the Rockford Park District Police for two years as security for the Discovery Center, worked in security as a Loss Prevention Officer for AMCore Bank for five years before retiring. He was a volunteer Hunter Safety Instructor for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for over 35 years in Winnebago County. Benefactor Patriot Life Member of the National Rifle Association. Member of the Illinois Rife Association. Member of the National Crime Prevention Institute Alumni. Member of the American Legion Post 1207. Loyal was also a member of Maywood Evangelical Free Church beginning in 2012. He spent many years serving as an Usher, Deacon, and on the Church Safety/Security Team, he was also on the Tutor Club Kitchen Staff from 2010 to 2020. He was a former member of Shiloh Evangelical Free Church for 43 years serving in many capacities. He attended Silver Hill Evangelical Free Church from 1952 thru 1965, now Maywood Evangelical Free Church. He worked with the church AWANA youth group for over twenty years as a volunteer. He also served as a board member from 1984 through 1997 with Timber-Lee Christian Center in East Troy, WI.

He will be missed by those who loved him most, his wife of 57 years, Melodee; his daughter Michele L. (Rev. Robert) Geaschel; his grandson Jesse (Fiancée Anna Duly) Geaschel; his sister Phyllis Ketcham; niece Sharon (Carl) Cacciatore; nephew John (Susan) Ketcham, and many great nieces, nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Edgar and Nellie Sanders Slaughter; his stepfather Carl Swanson; stepsister MaryAnn Swanson Manning.

A visitation to take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service, 11:00 a.m., at Maywood Evangelical Free Church, 3621 Samuelson Road, Rockford, Illinois, 61109. A very special thank you to Sr. Helpers, Alden Debes and their staff, Promedica Hospice, special care giver Joy, and Stephens Ministry Lay Person Dan Cain for all the care and compassion shown to Loyal and the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maywood EFC Men’s Bible Study, Maywood EFC Tutor Club or to Noah’s Ark of Rockford, IL. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com