Jackie "Jack" Colquett, Sr.

Jackie “Jack” L. Colquett, Sr., 79, of Rockford went home to heaven Tuesday, April 25, 2017. He was born January 18, 1938, in Knoxville, TN.  Jack was one of 6 children born to William and Mary Viola (Weeks) Colquett.  He married Helen Farley on August 16, 1966, in Virginia.  Jack loved fishing, watching wrestling and boxing, and he would never turn down a strawberry shake. He was a big “cut-up” as he called it, and always had a song to sing or a joke to tell.  He loved the lord and never wavered in his faith, even in his sickest moments.  Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Helen; daughters, Cathy (Gary) Wesemann, Sandy (Albert) Gutierrez, Jacqueline Clay, Lisa (Nod) Sotakoun, Pam (Doug) Minnick and Faith (Steve) Bennett; 15 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter, whom he just met a few days ago; sisters, Juanita Faye and Katie; very special brother-in-law, Ron Farley; special family friends, Carol Dietz and Jessie Hilton; many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. Predeceased by sons, Jack Jr. and Wendell; parents; brothers, Billy Joe, Harry and Robert “Bobby”; and daughter-in-law, Melissa.  The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Cor Mariae, especially his favorite nurse, Gina; the staff at Alden Debes hospice, and Heartland Hospice. They all treated Jack with such kindness, dignity and respect.  Also, thank you to Jack’s church family at The Dwelling Place, whom he so dearly loved.  They called him the “Candy Man” as he always had his favorite candies in his pocket ready to hand out.  One thing Jack always wanted everyone to remember, and he said it often, is: If you ever see me on a plane, don't say “hi Jack”.  Even though he never flew a day in his life, he thought this was hilarious.

Service at noon Saturday, April 29, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery.