William Rooney

WILLIAM M. ROONEYof Geneva, IL, formerly of Elburn, passed away early Wednesday morning at the Provena Geneva care Center whre he had been a resident for the past 26 months.BORN: Born in Spring Valley, IL on September 20, 1925, he was the third child of Francis and Loretta (McDonald) Rooney of Arlington, IL, where Bill grew up and attended local schools. At the age of fifteen, he came to Elburn, looking for a summer job at the local packing house. That "summer job" lasted 45 years and took Bill from apprentice to Plant Superintendant, a position he held for some thirty years. Along the way, Bill became proficient at all the trades: mechanics, plumbing, and electrical. Then at the age of sixty, he took up carpentry and created beautiful cabinetry. It could truly be said that Bill was not only a "jack of all trades", but master as well. After many years of learning from others and studying manuals, it could be said that Bill graduated from the school of "Hard-Knocks" Always generous with his abilities, his family and friends have many things by which to remember him. MILITARY: Bill served his country as a Marine, stationed in the Pacific during WWII. Returning home, he worked for a short time at Barber Green Mfg.MARRIAGE He was united in marriage to Grace Wilkison and blessed with five children. After twenty-five years, they went their separate ways and in 1969, Bill was united in marriage to Florence Kneip. They made their home in Geneva, and they enjoyed many travels which included NASCAR Races and "RV’ing" around the country. Bill attended races at every NASCAR track except the new Texas Speedway. The height of his travels, however, was a three month journey across Alaska, including the Arctic Circle and the Alaska Pipe Line, in which he was greatly interested. Even the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease did not erase Bill’s fond memories of this trip. SURVIVORS He is survived by his wife, Florence, Seven children: Michael D. Rooney of Dayton, OH, Mary Ann (Bill) Emberson of Silver Springs, MD,William F. Rooney of DeBary, FL,Thomas (Valerie) Rooney of Gilbert, AZJames J. (Margaret) Rooney of Champagne, ILJudy (Edward) Kline of Montgomery, IL,Patti (Rich) Crocker of Cumming, GAFifteen grandchildrenJoe (Trish) Emberson,Ann Emberson Michel (Rob) Johnson, Michael (Marissa) Rooney,Dan (Cameo) Rooney,Dawn Henry,Gwen RooneyMandy (Jeff) DoyJohn RooneyAmy RooneyJeff (Taira) Kline,Mark (Michelle) Kline and Dan (Jacki) Kline, Kristin CrockerShannon CrockerSeventeen Great Grand ChildrenOne brother:Paul Frances (Mary) Rooney of Cherry, ILOne sister: Florence M. (Burton) Carruthers of Ladd, ILSix additional sisters-in-lawTwo additional brothers-in-lawMany nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews As well as a family of friends. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by both parents and two brothers, James and Edward;One sister, Bettie Fundell;Six brothers-in-law and three-sisters-in-lawMEMORIAL A memorial has been established in his name. Memorial gifts may be made out to the William Rooney Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Monsignor Robert B. Hoffman of St. John Neuman Church, St. Charles, IL will officiate. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at this same address or through www.conleycare.com.

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be held Sunday, September 4, 2005 from 1-5pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St. Elburn, IL with a wake service to be held at 4:30pm. A brief visitation will also be held Tuesday morning at St. Gall Church before mass from 10am to 10:45 am. Mass will follow at 11am.

Interment will conclude at St. Gall Cemetery, Elburn