Sante De Marco

Sante F. De Marco, 84, of Pecatonica, IL died on June 19, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. Sante was born on September 17, 1940, in Fanna, Italy, of Giacomo and Lucia De Marco. Sante's family emigrated to the United States in the early 1950's and joined other families from Fanna in Rockford. Sante met his future wife, Kay, at West High School in Rockford and after college they decided to make a home in Pecatonica, Illinois where they raised their family and built strong connections throughout the community.
Sante spent his entire career working as a mechanical engineer for Woodward Governor Company. After his retirement, Sante enjoyed spending his days gardening, honing his skills as an amateur grappa distiller, spending time with his grandchildren and visiting family and friends in Italy. Later in his retirement, Sante and his close friends took up a weekly golf habit in the summer and bowling in the winter. Over the years, he was able to travel frequently back to Italy in the summer to spend time with his relatives and childhood friends.
Sante is survived by his sons, Steve (Kristen) and Jeff DeMarco, his seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Giacomo and Lucia De Marco and his wife Kay De Marco. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 2:00 - 5:00 PM CDT at McCorkle Funeral Home, located at 203 West 5th Street, Pecatonica, Illinois. Prayers will be said on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 10:30 AM CDT at the same venue. The Funeral Mass will be held on the same day at 11:00 AM CDT at St Mary's Catholic Church, Pecatonica, with a live stream available at the provided link. The Committal Ceremony will follow at 12:00 PM CDT at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois, also available via live stream.
We invite you to leave your memories of Sante and upload photos to his memorial page, as a tribute to a life well-lived and a beautiful, kind man.
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to: Michael J. Fox Foundation P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout