Robert "Bob" Smeltzer

Robert “Bob” Lee Smeltzer, 80, of Loves Park, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021, in Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, Illinois.  Born September 5, 1940, in Rockford, the son of Robert Earl and Mary Alice (Zimmerman) Smeltzer.  Married Sonia Irene Michelsen on October 19, 1963, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, Loves Park, Illinois.  Employed by Rockford Silk Screen before opening his own business, Artline Screen Printing, in October of 1973, with two partners, Rita Mrowiec and Dick Kulpa.  Formerly employed by Inner City Box & Plastic where he met his wife, Sonia.  Sonia later joined Artline Screen Printing to work alongside her husband.  Bob and Sonia’s children later joined the family business taking over in 2002.  Bob remained active in the business until 2005.  Member of St. Bridget Catholic Church.  Bob loved all kinds of movies.  He had a huge media collection of VHS, 8mm, and DVDs, and a collection of 45 and 33 records.  Bob had joke books and a sense of humor always telling jokes, even while in the hospital.  He loved his 1965 Thunderbird with his license place Bobs 65.  Survivors include his wife, Sonia; daughter, Janet (Tom) Hooker; son, Jason (Sherri McCrary) Smeltzer; grandson, Broderick “Brody” Hooker; sister, Nancy Hungerford; sister-in-law, Debbie Smeltzer; niece, Anne Smeltzer; nephew, Dillon (Tawny) Smeltzer; and may loving friends.  Predeceased by his parents; brother, Tom Smeltzer; bother-in-law, Bernie Hungerford; and best friend, Phil Halbrader.  Special thanks to friends and caregivers Patty Tallent, Caty Jones, Annie Smeltzer and Carissa Phlen.

Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2021, in St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time.  Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.