Willis I. Lockett

Willis I. ""Tate"" Lockett, 82, Rockford, died at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2009 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born February 23, 1926 in Connesville, Mo, son of Nathaniel and Carrie Benge Lockett. Married Betty Anderson on May 21, 1950 in LaPlata, MO. Veteran of the US Navy, serving on the USS Merrick. Member of Broadway Covenant Church where he had been a Trustee and Secretary of the Sunday School. Employed by Elco Industries for 47 years, retiring in 1996. Tate was a talented athlete and had played semi-pro baseball in Nebraska. He was an avid golfer, having achieved a ""hole-in-one"" ,was a strong swimmer and bowler, and he and Betty were long time members of the ""Merry Mixers"" Square Dance Club. He was a loyal, die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Tates devotion to his family, including his extended family, was total and complete. Survivors include his wife, Betty; daughters, P.J. (Rick) Franseen, Poplar Grove and Debbie (Mark) Koester, Beloit, WI; grandchildren Jeremy (Kristen) Franseen, Josh Franseen, Jenny (Steven) Van Winkle, Vinnie Caiozzo (fiance Sara Christiansen), Jessie and Jacob Koester; great-grandchildren, Zach, Nathan ""Tater"" DuCharme and Audrey Christiansen. Also survived by his brothers, Bobby, Matoon and Johnny (Dorothy) Rockford; nieces and nephews, his godson, Major Kevin Lockett, goddaughter, Carri-Ann Johnson, Wayne Lockett, Michael Lockett, Peggy Jo Anderson, Terri Stoecklin, Janet Daggett, Bobby Lockett, David Lockett, Karen ""Petie"" Jacobson; ""adopted kids"" , Dennis and Sandi Smith and numerous grand nieces and grand nephews. Predeceased by his parents; brother, Eugene Lockett; niece, Carrie Frances Lockett and sisters-in-law Christine and Peggy Lockett. Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2009 in Broadway Covenant Church with Rev. Eric Filkin and Rev. Richard Rasanen officiating. Visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Broadway Covenant Church Elevator Fund. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com