Russell C. "Russ" Whitgrove

Russell “Russ” Whitgrove, 87, Rockford, passed away peacefully in his home on November 9, 2015. He was born July 7, 1928, in Joliet, the son of Charles and Amanda (Holz) Whitgrove. Russ graduated from Joliet Township High School and Bradley University. He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953. Russ married Suzanne Champion on March 20, 1993. He was employed by Barber Colman and then by Welles Products and retired in 1993 from Norman Equipment Company. Russ was a man of many interests including farming, reading, and anything outdoors, but more than anything, Russ loved people. It was his mission to get a smile or chuckle out of everyone that he would meet.
Survived by his wife, Sue; his daughter, Karen (Dale) Coppin; his son, Jeffrey (Lisa) Whitgrove; his step-sons, Gregory (Kristi) and Jeffrey (Kathy) Champion; his grandchildren, Christopher, Karla, and Jennifer Coppin and Kyle Whitgrove, and Seth, Zachary and Alan Champion; his sister, Velma Burke and several nieces and a nephew.
Memorial service will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, November 21, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford with Paul Stewart officiating. Visitation from 9:30 until time of service at the funeral home on Saturday. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Barbara Olson Center of Hope, 3206 North Central Av., Rockford, IL 61101 or to the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice, c/o Rockford Memorial Development Foundation, 2400 N. Rockton Av, Rockford, IL 61103. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.