Chris Roesner

CHRIS F. ROESNERAge 57 of Elburn, formerly of Batavia, passed away peacefully at his home, Friday morning, February 29, 2008 after a valiant battle with leukemia AML and many other complications. A man who lived life fully, shared much and gave with unwavering commitment to his fellowman, Chris will be missed but he will live in the hearts of friends and will be immortal through their stories. In that spirit, his family invites everyone to the Chris Roesner "Memorial Roast" to celebrate a wonderful life. A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 3-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 West Pierce Street, Elburn, with a service to conclude the evening, beginning at 8:15pm. Multiple venues are provided for friends to participate in the on-going "roast" throughout the visitation. Record an "arm-chair video-clip", leave a digital note on a memorial photo, use a Conley Memory Catcher to write an old-fashioned paper-tribute or go on-line any time and send an e-mail tribute to the family through Chris’ obituary at www.conleycare.com. A memorial fund has been established in Chris’ name to benefit the Twelve Step Club in Batavia. Tributes and/or memorial checks may be mailed to the Chris Roesner Memorial in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Chris was born to this life April 14, 1950 and grew up on the southwest side of Aurora. Following graduation from West Aurora High School with the class of 1968, Chris went on to study at Waubonsee Community College as well as Parkland College, Champaign, IL. Chris was an entrepreneur at heart and the story of his working career winds through an amazing list of enterprises which range from carpet installation, a carpet cleaning service and antique sales to his brightest and best career originally with Tom Prindable and later president of Beckland Corporate Realty, Batavia. Chris brought over a hundred businesses to Batavia and many more to the greater Fox Valley area during his tenure. He had the opportunity and honor to serve separate terms as president and treasurer of the Fox Valley Corvette Club; organized and instituted the club’s collection of funds for the statue placed in front of the Batavia City Hall to honor the commitment of the Batavia Police Department; for thirteen years he served as treasurer of the Batavia Fireworks Committee and, along with other committee members, enthusiastically raised money, to put on the greatest 4th of July fireworks display in the Valley. Of all his achievements in life, Chris was most proud of his victory over alcoholism and his twenty-seven years of sobriety. For twenty of those years he sat on the Board of Trustees for the Twelve Step Fellowship Club in Batavia and quietly reached out to countless others, offering a helping hand along the rugged road he once knew so well. Chris was also proud of his appointment by Dennis Hastert, to the Congressional Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee Citizens Advisory Board. Through the late eighties, he also volunteered with the Kane County Sheriff’s Auxiliary, often serving several consecutive night shifts. A natural night-owl anyway, Chris enjoyed countless hours in computer gaming. Almost from the dawn of computer games, Chris was an avid player and a formidable competitor. As the art, science and competition of computer games increased in recent years, he began building his own amazing, water-cooled computers with matching cases that were the envy of his gaming clans and many friends. In his private time, Chris also enjoyed guiding fishing expeditions to the Canadian wilderness for many years. It was there, Chris confessed, that he felt the closest to God as he came to know Him. MARRIAGE & FAMILYThe love of his life and devoted soul mate forever, Deborah Boggs married Chris on October 5, 1979. They made their home in Batavia until 1997 when they moved to their present home near Elburn. In Deborah, Chris found the unconditional love that saw him through his worst years, and made with him, the greatest years of their lives. Theirs was a heart-to-heart connection that not even death will sever. SURVIVORS In addition to his wife, Deborah, He is survived by one son, Todd (Lisa) Roesner of Batavia; One brother, Hayden (Marla Harkins) Roesner of Yorkville, Two grandchildren: Cassandra and Austin of Batavia, ILOne sister-in-law, Juanita Mullins of Pound, VA;Three Nieces and three nephews: Sharie (Tyler) Austin of Everett, WA; Vickie Roesner of Batavia,IL; Kathy (Ron) Helton of Wise, VA; Tim Mullins of Pound, VA; Kelly (Krista) Mullins of North Carolina and James "Jimmy" Roesner of Aurora,IL;Several great-nieces and great-nephews: Kylie and Ryan Austin of Everett WA. Rachael and Sarah Helton of Wise, VA. Regan and Sutton Mullins of NCIn addition he leaves a special family of close friends and an unnumbered, unnamed family of those he promised to look after from beyond the sunset. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Frances Roesner, his "in-laws", W.C. and Lyell Boggs and one brother-in-law, Daniel V. Mullins.

Chris Roesner "Memorial Roast" A memorial visitation will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 3-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 West Pierce Street, Elburn, with a service to conclude the evening, beginning at 8:15pm.

A memorial fund has been established in Chris’ name to benefit the Twelve Step Club in Batavia. Tributes and/or memorial checks may be mailed to the Chris Roesner Memorial in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.