Russell Proctor Rourke Sr.

Russell “Russ” P. Rourke Sr. 90, of Rockford, passed away on October 5, 2024. Russ was a lifelong Rockford resident born on December 30, 1933, to Glenn P. and Reta B. Rourke. He graduated from East High School, served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, and retired from Sundstrand Aviation after 35 years. He married the former Betty Rixman on October 5, 1957, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Shivley, Kentucky. They were lifelong members of St. James Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mary “Betty”; Russ Jr. (Shari) Rourke, Megan (David) Harriman, Brendan (Nina) Rourke, and Caitlin (Brent) Pierson; Michael “Mike” Rourke, Benjamin (Abbey) Rourke, and Calla Rourke; Gary (Jackie) Rourke, Nick Rourke, and Francesca (Robby) Cleere; Teri (Jeff) Aronson, Justin (Rebecca Delcomyn) Aronson, Katie (Ryan) Stone, and Danielle (Josh) Dailey; 10 great grandchildren, siblings, Margaret Adams, Jan (Ron) Johnson, Katy (Bill) Abbott, Karen (John Welin) Berneck; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents; brother, George Rourke; and sisters, Arlene Weatherer and Donna Rush.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Wesley Willows.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, The Father Beauvais Hall, 428 N. 2nd Street Rockford, Illinois 61107, with a visitation prior to mass starting at 9:00 am. Burial will be in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.