Arthur J. Stites, Jr. Obituary (1925 - 2016)

Arthur Joseph Stites, Jr., 91, of Pecatonica, IL died at 10:20 p.m., Sunday, September 18, 2016 in Alden Debes Health Care Center. He was born July 12, 1925 in Rockford, IL, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. and Caroline (Kappen) Stites, Sr. Art attended Rockford Schools. He married Anne Louise Goodwill in Pecatonica, IL on December 19, 1959. Veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Marines, having served for 763 days in the Pacific Theatre. He was employed by Dean Foods for 20 years. Member of Pecatonica United Methodist Church; American Legion Eugene J. Barloga Post #197; VFW Post # 998; A.W. Rawson Masonic Lodge #0145; Scottish Rite Bodies Valley of Freeport; Tebala Temple Shriners-Guard Unit; Pecatonica Village Board Trustee for 20 years; Pecatonica Cemetery Board and sexton for several years and St. Mary Catholic Cemetery sexton. Survivors include wife, Anne Stites of Pecatonica, IL; son, Kevin Stites of New York, NY; grandchildren, Ryan (Kelly) Stites of Mundelein, IL and Erin (Joseph) Vance of Barrington, IL; great grandchildren, Sarah and Emily Vance and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marilyn Gamboni and Carolyn King and brother Albert Stites. A memorial ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, October 1, 2016 in Pecatonica United Methodist Church, 528 Washington St, Pecatonica, IL with Reverend Katie Voigt and Reverend Nord Swanstrom co-officating. Cremation Rites to be Accorded, with final resting place to be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home – Countryman Chapel, 529 Washington St, Pecatonica, IL from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 30. A Masonic Service will be held at 7:20 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be given to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Tebala Shriners Club of Rockford, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108