Ralph Reum

RALPH W. REUM, 83 ROCKFORD - Ralph W. Reum, 83, of Rockford died peacefully, surr-ounded by his loving family Fri-day, Feb. 1, 2008, after battling a lengthy illness. He was born in Rockford on Nov. 17, 1924, to Walter and Edith (Stromquist) Reum. Ralph graduated from Rockford East High School in 1942 and served his country on the USS King during World War II. He married Virginia Mareth on June 16, 1951. He was employed at Woodward Governor as a project engineer for 45 years, retiring in 1987. Ralph was a loving and caring family man. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, often playing games with them, including a family tradition, "Blitz." Many family vacations were spent at his favorite park, Devils Lake, and in later years with his entire family for Father's Day reunions. Ralph's favorite past time was fishing and he enjoyed teaching his family how to fish. He was a member of the Baltic Hunting and Fishing Lodge and the LLL Club, and on the many fishing trips he took he was proud to be known as the "Cabin Cook." Survivors include wife, Virginia; sons, David (Cheryl) and James (Pamela); daughters, Sally (Dennis) Amdur, Susan (Bradley) Patterson and Sandra (Martin) Gallwas; grandchildren, Mathew, Loriann, Amanda (Luis), David, Sara, Corey (Donna), Tricia (Darold), Ashley, Mareth, Benjamin (Cara), Erika, Kimberly, Brianna, Alaina, Andrew and Ava; great-grandchildren, Logan, Nolan and Natalia. Predeceased by father; mother; sister, Virginia Chaney; and her husband, Paul. The family would like to express a special thank-you to Provena Cor Mariae Center and Northern Illinois Hospice for the compassionate and loving care given to Ralph during his stay there. And to his very special brother-in-law, William Mareth, who was Dad's guardian angel and spent countless hours with him during his entire illness. Also to his special nieces, Carole (Robert), Cindy, Cecelia (Rich) and Jenny for the outpouring amount of love and concern they had for their uncle Ralph. Ralph converted to Catholicism during his illness, and his life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass by Father Michael Black at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in St. Edward's Catholic Church in Rockford, with visitation from 10 a.m. to time of Mass. Visitation also from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, with rosary at 7:30 p.m. in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Rockford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Provena Cor Mariae Center or St. Edward's Church. For online condolences, visit honquestfh. com.