Patrick Joseph Meissen

Patrick Joseph Meissen          Graduate of Boylan Central Catholic High School and Rock Valley College   Patrick Joseph Meissen, 31, of Rockford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 10, 2009, in his home, surrounded by his family.  Patrick was born June 8, 1977, in Rockford, the son of George and Clara (Hart) Meissen.   Patrick was a Poster Child for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1988.  He was a member of the National Honor Society at Boylan Central Catholic High School, received the Boylan Edge Award in 1993, was named Fan of the Year in 1995 and graduated in 1996. Patrick received his Associate Degree in Arts from Rock Valley College and was the recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Award in 1998.  He loved Boylan basketball, reading, computers, and video games.   Patrick is survived by his parents, George and Clara Meissen; his sister, Crystal (Ulises) Gomez; his maternal grandmother, Theresa (Huschka) Hart; his nephew, Ulises Patrick Gomez; his niece, Eva Gomez; his close, dear friends, Peter Gogola and Paul Javurek, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  Patrick was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Vincent and Ruth Meissen; his maternal grandfather, Gerald D. Hart and his two aunts, Margaret Krueger and Rosemary Dewey.   Funeral services for Patrick will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 10 A.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with Deacon Rich Gerdeman officiating, followed by burial in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Durand.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 14 from 4 8 P.M. and on Thursday from 9 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boylan Central Catholic High School, 4000 St. Francis Dr., Rockford, IL 61103 or RAMP, 202 Market St., Rockford, IL 61107.  Family and friends may