Michael Carl Silberhorn

Michael Carl Silberhorn passed away on the afternoon of August 30th, at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Mike was born to Carl and Ella (Musser) Silberhorn on October 11th, 1944 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles CA. He was raised in South Pasadena, and Arcadia CA, graduating from Arcadia high school in 1962. He attended Citrus Jr. College from 1962-65, and served as the student body president, earning an associates degree in Business Administration. He continued his education at Cal. State – L.A., where he founded the campus chapter of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. After graduating, with a degree in Accounting in 1966, Mike continued to act as a financial trustee for the organization. Mike worked for 42 years in the packaging industry, beginning with Southwest Forest Industries (1967-1975) and the Menasha Corporation (1975-1983). From 1983-2006 he worked as a Vice President for Harry Rhode Management Systems, before concluding his career as a consultant for Amtech Corporation in 2009.

Mike married Judith Blaine on February 16th, 1974 at St. Phillips the Apostle Church in Pasadena CA. They adopted their daughter, Lisa, in 1983. In 1987, Mike and his family moved to the Chicago area as the result of a job promotion, and settled in Wheaton IL, for the next thirteen years, where Mike was an active member of St. James the Apostle parish in Glen Ellyn IL. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Candlewick Lake in Poplar Grove IL, where Mike was a Knight of Columbus at St. James parish in Belvidere IL. Eventually he and Judy built a house in Rockford, where Mike was the treasurer for the neighborhood association of Newburg Green. He and his wife have been members of Holy Family Parish for three years. Their hobbies have included boating,model trains, as well as taking many cross country vacations together.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ella Silberhorn. He is survived by his wife, Judy Silberhorn of Rockford IL, his daughter and Son in law, Lisa and Jacob Maxfield of Dekalb IL, and his sister, Trina Dalton of Riverside CA. He is also survived by his godson, Taylor Blaine of Thousand Oaks CA, and nephews, Brendan Blaine or Portland Oregon, and Alex Blaine of Davis CA. His nieces, Eileen Marrama of Oakland CA, Anne Marie Montgomery of Riverside CA, and Tricia Blaine of Thousand Oaks CA will miss him dearly, as will his great nephews and nieces, Enzo and Ava Marrama of Oakland CA, and Doree and Jack Montgomery of Riverside CA.

During his lifetime, Mike experienced multiple health problems associated with Ankylosing Spondalitis. Therefore, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ankylosing Spondalitis Association of America in Mike's name. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. To extend condolences visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com