Therr "Terry" E. Hartje

Therr “Terry” E. Hartje, 76, of Cherry Valley, passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2018. He was born June 3, 1941, in Leaf River, Illinois, the son of Rudolph “Rudy” and Bonnie (Kretsinger) Hartje. Terry married the love of his life Glenda Bryden on September 20, 1969. He was a proud member of IBEW Local Union 196 for 54 years. Terry enjoyed anything to do with planes, trains and automobiles. He was a member of the Lionel Collectors Club of America and the EAA. Terry was a quiet, gentle man, often referred to as Captain Hair by those he loved. Above all Terry cherished time spent with family. He attended many concerts, enjoyed his grandson’s hockey games, laughing with his granddaughter and loved the Rolling Stones.
He enjoyed life fully until he suffered a stroke 5.5 years ago that left him unable to use his right leg and arm, but he never quit trying. He had to give up driving and that meant no more stopping in at garage sales to ask if they had electric trains or race sets. He was quite talented as he built a beautiful layout for his Lionel trains, designed his home and eventually built a 3rd car garage addition for his ’69 orange Corvette.
He attended many LCCA conventions throughout the country and even one after his stroke. No matter how much of a struggle it was for him, he did not quit. No matter what game, activity, performance or function his two grandchildren had, he was in attendance and cherished all of those moments. They always knew he would be there for them. Whenever he saw his grandchildren you could tell they helped calm his pain. He will be forever remembered as a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend.
Survived by his loving wife Glenda; sons, Shane (Amy Helms) Hartje and Kyler (Cassie) Hartje; grandchildren, Logan and Zoey Hartje; sisters, Loretta Rose and Sally (Gary) Engbert; brother, Kenny (Sally Jo) Hartje; brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Bryden; sister-in-law Beverly Bryden; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his infant son Brytten Kyler Hartje; parents, Rudy and Bonnie; infant brother, Lonnie; brother-in-law Michael D. Bryden; brother-in-law Joe D. Bryden; brother-in-law Charles (Jim) Bryden and in-laws Charles D. and Wilda Bryden. Special mention to his best friend since they were 6 years old Robert (Carol) Wilson, Maxwell and Madison Helms, his in-home physical therapist Kent Kjellstrom, the Physical Therapy Staff at Van Matre and everybody at Rosewood Care Center.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 30, 2018 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel and again Monday, April 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a memorial to be established in his name at a later date. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.