Roy F. Stone, Sr.

“Devoted Family Man & Christian”

Roy F. Stone, Sr. “Papaw”, 79, of Rockford, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Sunday, May 17, 2015; just 30 minutes before his brother Edward passed. He fought a long and courageous battle with bone cancer, and was finally called home. Roy was born in Dante, Virginia; on August 14, 1935; to parents, Carl Edward and Cosby Lorraine (Glovier) Stone. Roy married his beloved wife, Rosa “Peggy” (Whicker) Stone, on October 29, 1954; in Dante, Virginia. Roy was employed for 38 years in the local #32 Labor Union, retiring in 1997. Roy’s hobby was his family. He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids, his Rockford cousins, and visiting family “back home”. Roy also enjoyed bluegrass gospel music, each and every Rockford parade, Fireworks, and loved to play April fools jokes. He was a devoted family man, a devout Christian, and had an unfailing work ethic. With his Southern charm, Roy made an impression on everyone he met.

Roy is survived by his loving children, Wanda (Lonnie) Presson, Theresa (John) Dotzel, Roy (Sue) Stone, Jr., and Crystal (Rich Cardot) Minihan; siblings, Douglas Gene Stone, Mike (Debbie) Stone; grandchildren, Mark, Luke, Rachel, Olivia, Paige, Courtney, Austin, Alyssa, and Cameron; great grandchildren, Amiah, Drew, Bentley, and Elena; special friend, Allie; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents; wife, Rosa “Peggy” in 2013; brothers, Clarence “Chuck” Stone, Rudolph Stone, and Edward Stone; and sisters, Willie “Billie” Byrd and Della Higbee.

Roy’s funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2015, at Northeast Christian Church, 5651 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL, 61114 with Pastor and special friend, Sylvia Staley officiating. Burial will be immediately following service at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 21, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108, and from 10 a.m. until time of service on Friday at the Church. Memorial donations may be made in Roy’s memory to Heartland Hospice, 363 Financial Ct., Unit 300, Rockford, IL, 61107. Roy’s family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Deb & Tammy at Heartland Hospice, and also to the Nurses in the Oncology Unit at Rockford Memorial Hospital.