Obituary for Merle Anita Fender
Merle Anita Fender, 98, of Winnebago, gained her wings with her family by her side on Sunday, September 19, 2021, at Prairie View Assisted Living Community in Winnebago. She was born January 23, 1923 in Shirland, IL, the daughter of Harry Dawson and Ruth Viola (Teague) Moate. She graduated from Hononegah High School in 1940. Merle married Arlen Dale Fender on December 6, 1947 at Centennial Methodist Church in Rockford.
She worked as a bookkeeper at Barnes Drill Company in Rockford retiring in 1988 and served on their credit union board of directors. She volunteered as a pink lady at Rockford Memorial Hospital and at the Rockford Rescue Mission where she served countless meals and enjoyed sharing fellowship with the residents. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago where she served as a Deacon and on other committees.
Merle loved to play the piano, paint outdoor scenes, gardening, canning, doing crossword puzzles and enjoyed potlucks and card games with her friends at Westfield. She was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled to see them win the World Series during her lifetime. She loved treating her family and friends to her famous caramel pecan rolls and her butter toffee. But most of all, she will be remembered for being a loving and devoted Mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was deeply loved and was a true gift to all her who knew her.
Merle’s family wishes to thank the staff at Prairie View Assisted Living Community for taking such loving care of her during her stay there and also to Nick and the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care during the last month of her life.
Merle is loving survived by her children, Debbie (Sal Caiozzo) Cassioppi, Larry (Donna) Fender; six grandchildren, Allison (Tom) Hawkins, Paul Cassioppi, Kathy (Aaron Fulrath) Fender, Eric (Sarah) Fender, Tyler Kelly, Erin Kelly; 10 great-grandchildren, McKenna, Caden and Cameron Hawkins, Kara Reinagle, Korbin Williams, Brennan, Carsen and Avery Fender, Paul Cassioppi, Athena Kelly; brother, George (Ruth) Moate; several nephews and nieces.
Merle is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Dale Fender; daughter, Becky Kelly; sisters, Dorothy Eudey, Ardath Adams.
Funeral service 12:00 p.m., with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 24, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago, 208 W. Winnebago St., Winnebago, with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer officiating. Private interment at Winnebago Cemetery near Winnebago. In lieu of flowers memorials will be established for Rockford Rescue Mission or St. Croix Hospice in Rockford.
Arrangements by Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
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She worked as a bookkeeper at Barnes Drill Company in Rockford retiring in 1988 and served on their credit union board of directors. She volunteered as a pink lady at Rockford Memorial Hospital and at the Rockford Rescue Mission where she served countless meals and enjoyed sharing fellowship with the residents. She was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago where she served as a Deacon and on other committees.
Merle loved to play the piano, paint outdoor scenes, gardening, canning, doing crossword puzzles and enjoyed potlucks and card games with her friends at Westfield. She was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and was thrilled to see them win the World Series during her lifetime. She loved treating her family and friends to her famous caramel pecan rolls and her butter toffee. But most of all, she will be remembered for being a loving and devoted Mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was deeply loved and was a true gift to all her who knew her.
Merle’s family wishes to thank the staff at Prairie View Assisted Living Community for taking such loving care of her during her stay there and also to Nick and the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care during the last month of her life.
Merle is loving survived by her children, Debbie (Sal Caiozzo) Cassioppi, Larry (Donna) Fender; six grandchildren, Allison (Tom) Hawkins, Paul Cassioppi, Kathy (Aaron Fulrath) Fender, Eric (Sarah) Fender, Tyler Kelly, Erin Kelly; 10 great-grandchildren, McKenna, Caden and Cameron Hawkins, Kara Reinagle, Korbin Williams, Brennan, Carsen and Avery Fender, Paul Cassioppi, Athena Kelly; brother, George (Ruth) Moate; several nephews and nieces.
Merle is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Dale Fender; daughter, Becky Kelly; sisters, Dorothy Eudey, Ardath Adams.
Funeral service 12:00 p.m., with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 24, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago, 208 W. Winnebago St., Winnebago, with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer officiating. Private interment at Winnebago Cemetery near Winnebago. In lieu of flowers memorials will be established for Rockford Rescue Mission or St. Croix Hospice in Rockford.
Arrangements by Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
24
Sep
10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago
208 W. Winnebago St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Funeral Service
Friday
24
Sep
12:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago
208 W. Winnebago St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Cemetery Details
Location
Winnebago Cemetery
Westfield Rd.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Memorial Contribution
Rockford Rescue Mission
St. Croix Hospice in Rockford.
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