Jeffrey B. Rockenbach

Jeffrey "Rocky" Booth Rockenbach, 77, was born on March 9, 1948, in Ferndale, Michigan. He passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2025, surrounded by loving family members. Jeff attended Bay Village High School in Ohio (Class of 1966). He graduated from Northwestern University (Class of 1970), where he played football on scholarship and wrestled. He worked in sales for Glasteel and Nudo Products, where he eventually retired. Jeff raised three children with his beautiful wife, Chrystene Rockenbach in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Years after Chrystene's death, Rocky married Jaclynn "Jackie" Rockenbach. Rocky and Jackie moved to North Port, Florida, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends until Jackie passed away in 2022. Following her death, Rocky moved to Roscoe, Illinois, to live with Jennifer and Cale, his daughter and son-in-law. He spent his final years surrounded by love, support, and laughter. Jeff joins many loved ones into heaven, including Chrystene Rockenbach, Jaclynn Rockenbach; his father, Lyle Rockenbach; his mother, Barbara Booth Rockenbach; his brother, James Rockenbach; and his granddaughter, Kaitlyn Steines. Left to honor his memory includes his sister, Jill (Rockenbach) Jack; his children, Jennifer (Cale) Steines, Stacey Messineo, and Jeff (Rebecca) Rockenbach; his step-children, Jamie Holahan and Brad (Candy) Holahan; his grandchildren, Brennen (Cassandra) Steines, Allison (Brett) Macy-Steines, Mike Messineo, Madilyn (Nick) Chromy, Amanda (Zachary) Snow, Cal Rockenbach, Haley (Collin) Walker; his step-grandchildren, Darian Holahan, Jayden Holahan, Kai Holahan, and Kam Holahan; his great-grandchildren, Mae Macy-Steines and Haley Macy-Steines; and countless friends and loved ones. Rocky loved watching and cheering for Chicago sports, reading James Patterson books, cracking open a beer by the pool, enjoying a medium rare ribeye steak or lamb chop, playing a game of golf, cribbage, or cards, Face Timing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and having a heart-to-heart on a bar stool. His quintessential dance move was Fonzie shoulder shrugs, with a smirk, and two thumbs up. "Yinga-yinga" was among his all-time famous catch phrases. To know him, was to know someone truly unforgettable. Rocky was memorable, warm, spirited, and kind to all who knew him. He was full of grit, gusto, and good humor. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through all that love him. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Rocky's American Grill, 698 N. Milwaukee Ave., Prospect Heights, IL, 60070, from 1:30 to 5:00 pm. Please wear your favorite sports attire to celebrate. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Epilepsy Foundation, in honor of Rocky's granddaughter, Kaitlyn Steines; https://epilepsychicago.org/donate/ To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey B. Rockenbach, please visit our floral store.