Date of Birth
Dec 04,1914
Date of Death
Mar 12,2004
WAYNE J. FLORENCE, age 89, of Big Rock, IL, passed away peacefully, Friday evening, March 12, 2004 at his home, after months of battling congestive heart failure. BORN / CHILDHOODHe was born December 4, 1914 on Lorang Rd. near Kaneville, IL, the son of Clarence John and Lura (Murphy) Florence. Wayne attended Kaneville Schools and as a young man began farming with his father.MARRIED / EMPLOYMENTOn October 8, 1936 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Norine Marie Nickels in the parsonage of the Batavia Methodist Church. They made their home on the Florence family farm near Troxel until 1939, when they moved to the present family farm near Big Rock.MEMBERSHIPWayne served his community in a variety of capacities as trustee of the Big Rock Fire Department, and the West Big Rock Cemetery as well as the Kane County Farm Bureau and Northern F.S. He also was a plowing judge at the annual Big Rock Plowing Match for many years and was a member of the Aurora Moose.LIFE NOTESWayne, had a gentle nature and seemed to go quietly about his life and work. Those who knew him, however, knew that inside this mild mannered man, there was a Joke whose dry sense of humor kept everyone on their toes. A loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, he was always supportive of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and was usually "game-side" at the soccer and baseball field or basketball court. He taught his grandchildren to both work and play. Summers in Door County left living color memories of grandpa teaching his grandchildren about skiing, boating and many other things. SURVIVORSIn addition to his wife of sixty-seven years, Norine, he is survived by:five children and their families:Janice (Edward) O’Connell of Sugar Grove,Robert Florence of Sturgeon Bay, WIRonald (and the late Marion) Florence of Las Vegas, NV,Susan Florence and Linda (Gary) Bellak, both of Big Rock;eight grandchildrenEdward (Debbie) O’ConnellDebbie (Tim) TorresColleen (Steve) PaulsenSherry GuzickMichelle (Clint) PhillipsBradley (Candi) Florence,Grant Bellak andKaitlin Bellaktwelve great grandchildren:Erin and Emily O’ConnellScott and Eric PaulsenSteven and Mark TorresJamie and Laura Guzick Riley, Kyle and Blake PhillipsArianna Florencetwo step-great grandchildren:Brent & Brittany TeKulvePRECEDEDHe is preceded in death by his parents,one brother Weldon and his wife Edith Florence;one sister Neva Schobert and her husband, John;and one daughter-in-law, Marion Florence.MEMORIALSMemorials in his name may be made to either the Big Rock Fire Department or Vitas Hospice, and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.
VISITATIONFriends may call at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, Monday, March 15, 2004 from 4-8pm, SERVICESFuneral services will be held Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 10:30am.
Interment to follow at Kaneville Cemetery.