Obituary for Benjamin "Ben" DeGutis
Benjamin “Ben” DeGutis, 99, of Winnebago, went to be with the Lord, Friday, February 4, 2022, at P A Peterson At The Citadel in Rockford. He was born September 27, 1922, in Eden Township, LaSalle County, the son of Lithuanian immigrants, Joseph Frank and Barbara Veronica (Zigmund) DeGutis Sr. He graduated from Hetrick School in LaSalle County to then begin working on the family farm. He moved to Rockford in 1941 and began working at Wyman Furniture. Ben was an Aviation Machinist Mate First Class in the United States Navy serving from December 3, 1942 to March 19, 1946 during World War II and worked on Navy Corsair planes.
Ben married Jean Kappenman on July 19, 1947, in the manse of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago. They lived in Pecatonica when Ben worked at Rockford Blacktop. Then they moved to Rockford building one of the original homes on Pinecrest Road and in 1954 purchased the Highland Texaco, located at the corner of Rural and Prospect streets in Rockford. Later it was named Ben’s Gulf and Ben’s Sunoco. In 1979 they purchased the Kappenman farm north of Winnebago on Dickenson Road.
Ben was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago where he served as trustee, deacon and was past president of the church supper club. He attended Bible Study at Faith Community Church in Davis and with the help of his neighbor, Karen Montgomery he developed a close relationship with God. He was an active member of the Winnebago Garden Club and known for growing watermelons, pumpkins, tomatoes and asparagus. Ben enjoyed his family, friends, meeting new people, playing “500”, country and western music, keeping up with current events and reading market reports.
Ben is lovingly survived by his daughter, Linda (Norman) King of Winnebago; daughter-in-law, Judith DeGutis of Rockford; grandsons, Craig (Michelle) DeGutis, Mark (Erika Sutherland) DeGutis, Christopher (Jenn Dailey) DeGutis, Ryan DeGutis, Joel (Megan) DeGutis; granddaughter, Carrie DeGutis; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, sisters, Ann Wroblewski, Berniece Glupczynski; sister-in-law, Kay Mauk; dear friend, Karen Montgomery; several nephews and nieces.
Ben is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jean DeGutis; son, Stephen DeGutis; brothers, Donald, Nick, and Joseph DeGutis and John Foltynewiciz.
Funeral service 12:00 p.m., with a visitation starting at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago officiating.
In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established for the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago. Interment at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
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Ben married Jean Kappenman on July 19, 1947, in the manse of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago. They lived in Pecatonica when Ben worked at Rockford Blacktop. Then they moved to Rockford building one of the original homes on Pinecrest Road and in 1954 purchased the Highland Texaco, located at the corner of Rural and Prospect streets in Rockford. Later it was named Ben’s Gulf and Ben’s Sunoco. In 1979 they purchased the Kappenman farm north of Winnebago on Dickenson Road.
Ben was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago where he served as trustee, deacon and was past president of the church supper club. He attended Bible Study at Faith Community Church in Davis and with the help of his neighbor, Karen Montgomery he developed a close relationship with God. He was an active member of the Winnebago Garden Club and known for growing watermelons, pumpkins, tomatoes and asparagus. Ben enjoyed his family, friends, meeting new people, playing “500”, country and western music, keeping up with current events and reading market reports.
Ben is lovingly survived by his daughter, Linda (Norman) King of Winnebago; daughter-in-law, Judith DeGutis of Rockford; grandsons, Craig (Michelle) DeGutis, Mark (Erika Sutherland) DeGutis, Christopher (Jenn Dailey) DeGutis, Ryan DeGutis, Joel (Megan) DeGutis; granddaughter, Carrie DeGutis; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, sisters, Ann Wroblewski, Berniece Glupczynski; sister-in-law, Kay Mauk; dear friend, Karen Montgomery; several nephews and nieces.
Ben is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jean DeGutis; son, Stephen DeGutis; brothers, Donald, Nick, and Joseph DeGutis and John Foltynewiciz.
Funeral service 12:00 p.m., with a visitation starting at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago officiating.
In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established for the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago. Interment at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
12
Feb
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Funeral Service
Saturday
12
Feb
12:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Cemetery Details
Location
Willwood Burial Park
7000 W. State St.
Rockford, IL 61102
Memorial Contribution
First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago
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