Mary Aleshire

MARY ELLEN ALESHIRE, 82 ROCKFORD - Mary Ellen Aleshire, 82, of Rockford joined her husband, Richard (Dick) Norman Aleshire, Sr. in eternity on February 25, 2015. Mary was born April 6, 1932, in the small town of Nova, Ohio; daughter of Louisa and Rufus Fishpaw. She had fond memories of growing up on a farm outside of Nova. She attended Ashland College, before falling in love with Dick, marrying him, and moving to West Lafayette, Indiana. While Dick attended Purdue University, they started a family. She raised four wonderful boys that she adored. Helping them with schoolwork, she was a room mother at school and a Den Mother for Cubs Scouts. She was always very supportive of her sons' passions and endeavors, including their musical, and cultural interests. They lived in Denver, CO for a number of years before moving to Rockford, in 1964. After the boys left home, she joined the work force and worked at Rockford Memorial Hospital for a number of years before retiring to enjoy traveling the country, and Europe. She was married to Dick for 58 years. She is survived by the four boys and their families. Richard N. Jr. (Roberta L.) Aleshire of Kokomo, Indiana, Arthur A. Aleshire of Portland, Maine, Kevin C. (Julie A.) Aleshire of St. Louis, Missouri, and Robert J. Aleshire of Rockford; her grandchildren, Sarah L. (Jake P.) Morgan, Lauretta E. (Joseph D. Matel) Aleshire, Jennifer A. Aleshire of St. Louis, Adam M. Aleshire of Tulsa, OK, and Abigail A. Aleshire of Portland, ME; great-grandchildren, Jonas D. and Maximus R. Morgan and Emersen F. Matel; and sister-in-law, Fran Fishpaw. Predeceased by her husband, Richard; and brother, John P. Fishpaw. Funeral Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford, IL 61103, with Pastor Jeff Fricke officiating. Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, www.alzfdn.org. Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.