Alice Heslop

Alice A. Heslop, 88 Loving Mom, Grandma, Great-grandma and Great-great-grandma ROCKFORD - Alice A. Heslop, 88, of the rural Rockford-Winnebago area died Friday night, May 6, 2011, in her home, surrounded by her loving family after a short illness. Born March 1, 1923, in Platte, S.D., the daughter of Nicholas and Sophia (Jansen) DeWall. Graduated from Leeds (Iowa) High School in 1941. Alice was married to her high school sweetheart, Merlin W. Heslop, for 68 years. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. Alice worked for J.C. Penney for more than 20 years and was an active member of Evergreen Covenant Church. She loved crocheting and gardening and truly enjoyed all the family gatherings. Alice is lovingly survived by sons, Dewey (Lois) Heslop of Pecatonica, Don Heslop of Lake Summerset, David (Shirley) Heslop of Winnebago and Gary (Diane) Heslop of Rockford; daughters, Cindy (Bob) Hunter of Pecatonica and Karen (Larry) Anderson of Rockford; 20 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson; sister, Mae (Kenneth) Freitag; sister-in-law, Alice Uphouse; and several nieces and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; husband on Dec. 21, 2007; grandson, Douglas Heslop; guardian great-grandson, David Riffe Jr.; daughter-in-law, Pat Peterson; brothers, Duane, Milton and Vernon DeWall; sisters, Leona and Beatrice DeWall; and nephews, Michael and William Freitag. Alice's family wishes to thank Dr. Susan DeGuide; nurse, Julie; and the staff of VNA for their care and support. A very special thank-you is given to Alice's granddaughters for the gentle and affectionate care provided by them during her final days; Grandma would have been proud. Service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, in Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago, with Pastor James Schwalm of Evergreen Covenant Church officiating. Burial in Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery, Pecatonica. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 9, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established. To sign the guestbook, give your condolences or light a candle, visit genandtfuneral home.com.