Willis L. Rowald

Willis L. Rowald was born January 7, 1927 in Monroe, WI to William Rowald and Doris (Emminger) Rowald. He died Thursday, January 23, 2014. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1945. He is a World War II veteran, having joined the U.S. Navy just before the H.S. graduation ceremony. He married Doris Fehl on August 18, 1951 in Wausau, WI. After leaving the Navy he came to Rockford to work as a truck driver, first for his father, and then for the various companies that took over the business. He was a truck driver for 38 years. He is a member of the Teamsters Local 325 Retirees; the Girl Scouts of the USA, and is a 58 year member of First Presbyterian Church which is now Federated as Second Congregational/First Presbyterian Church. He served in many capacities in the Church and was always willing to help. He had a great work ethic, could fix almost anything, and enjoyed several activities including bowling, gardening, golfing and fishing. He truly enjoyed helping people and was well-known in his neighborhood as a friend and willing helper.
He is survived by Doris, his wife of 62 and a half years; three children, Martha (Tim) Pearse of Rockford, Paul Rowald (Cathie Stuart) of Willowbrook, IL and Joyce (Randy) Hagerman of Loves Park; 7 grandchildren; Alan (Tiffany) Rowald of New Jersey, Amanda (Chris) Gawlik of Nevada, Lindsi Pearse (Chris Sartino), Zachary Pearse, Andrew Pearse, Katie Hagerman, Will Hagerman; great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Alex Rowald and baby Gawlik who will be born in July; a brother, Robert (Debra) Rowald; 2 sisters, Arlene Flannery of Colorado and Suzanne (Mark) Will of California; former brother-in-law, Cal (Anne) Flannery; nephews, Richard (Vonda) Flannery, Douglas Flannery, David (Lisa) Flannery, Robert (Shantell) Rowald, Mychal Will, William (Kathy) Rowald, David Rowald, Michael Rowald; step-sister, Lisa Boddeker of Kentucky; step-brothers, Helmut (Barbara) Fritz of Colorado and Harry (Melodie) Fritz of Kentucky. Predeceased by parents, William Rowald and Doris (Oswald) Webster; 2 step-mothers, Helen VanTreeck Rowald and Helen Fritz Rowald; brother, Jack Rowald; a niece and 3 nephews; grandparents and in-laws, Gladys and Norman Fehl. The family wishes to express a grateful and loving thank you to the staff at OSF Hospice for their devoted care and to our neighbors, especially, Susie and Cesar.
Memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in the name of Willis Rowald to OSF Hospice, to Girl Scouts of the USA Northern Illinois Council, 2820 McFarland Rd. Rockford, Il 61107 or to the Rowald Family. To extend online condolences visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com