Edward F. Scherer, III

Edward F. Scherer, III (Ed), 69, of Belvidere, Illinois died on July 25, 2024.

He was born in Evergreen Park in February of 1955 to Ed and JoAnn Scherer, the eldest of their four children. He spent his youth jumping off roofs and roughhousing with his little brother and to this day, they both have scars to prove it. He attended St. Simeon’s in Bellwood, St. Joseph’s in Westchester, and Triton College and Rock Valley College.

As a young man, Ed volunteered for the Civil Defense in Bellwood and was trained to be one of the first EMTs in the Chicago area. He later joined the Boone County Sheriff’s Department where he would serve for 30 years, retiring as a Lieutenant in 2007.

Ed was passionate about his work with the Sheriff’s Department which centered on management, administration, and improvement of the 911 system. He served as an officer on the county 911 board and as a representative for the state board, serving as a consultant to members of Congress and the speaker of the House on 911 issues.

Ed met the love of his life, Marguerite (Margie) in 1973 while working at the popcorn counter in the Sears building. Despite Margie’s manager (jokingly) warning her to stay away from the popcorn boys on her first day at the candy counter, the two quickly became friends, started dating, and were married in 1979 in Westchester. They’ve had a beautiful life together raising their two daughters, Colleen and Danielle. Ed would maintain a lifelong friendship with his fellow popcorn boy, Tim Caldwell, who married Margie’s best friend Patricia (Bulin).

Ed will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of music, his participation in the Rock Valley RC Flyers, and his perfectly manicured yard. He will be missed every day and his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. Ed loved being a dad from day one. So it is with great sadness he won’t have the opportunity to be a loving grandpa to Colleen and Francisco’s expected nugget.

Ed is survived by his wife Margie, daughter Colleen (Francisco Cano), daughter Danielle, brother (Bernard), and nieces Stephanie (Joseph Cullotta - Joey, Mikey, and Charlie) and Michelle.

A visitation will be held Sunday, July 28, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until time of a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 South Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to the Boone County Community Foundation and enjoy some chocolate ice cream or, of course, a single malt scotch in Ed’s memory.