Richard J. Stern

Richard J. Stern, 60, formerly of Rockford, died of an unexpected illness on Friday, February 19, 2016; with his family by his side. Dick was born in St. Charles, IL on July 31, 1955; to parents Richard H. and June C. (Olson) Stern. He married his loving wife Patricia in St. Charles at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on December 11, 1982; before they moved to Belvidere, IL in 1986, to raise their family. Patricia predeceased Dick in 2009. Dick moved to Knoxville to continue his work as a Tool & Die maker, for Vinylex. It was there that Dick found a renewed love for riding his Harley-Davidson through the hills of Tennessee. He loved his Chicago Bears, University of Tennessee football, and he could be best described as a gentle giant. A man of few words, but when they were spoken, they were meaningful. Recently, Dick was engaged to be married to his friend, loving fiancé, and hiking companion, Maggie Hickman. His time on earth was a blessing to us all, and we will miss him dearly.

Dick is survived by his two sons, Thomas (Allison) Stern and Timothy (Jenna) Stern; fiancé, Maggie Hickman; mother, June (Robert) Stern; siblings, Laura (Mark) Graf, John Stern, Kristin Sparks; grandchildren, Tricia and Liam Richard Stern; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dick is predeceased by his dad, Richard H. Stern; wife, Patricia Stern; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 27, 2016; at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. Burial to follow at Belvidere Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Friday, February 26, 2016, at the Funeral Home, and will continue on Saturday, from 10:00 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. 5th Ave., St. Charles, IL, 60174.