Ted Lahn

Ted M. Lahn, 88, of Rockford, died Monday, April 18, 2016, in Independence Village. Born June 20, 1927, in Philadelphia, PA. Loves Park and Rockford area resident since February 1960, coming here from Chicago. Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. Attended Northwestern University. Married Margery L. “Margie” Paulson on February 8, 1958, in Sterling. Employed as a DJ and announcer at KXGI in Fort Madison, Iowa. News and sports editor at WSDR in Sterling, where he met Margie. In 1960, he was hired as a newsman at WRRR Radio in Rockford and was later promoted to news director, then to station operations manager. Ted was among the early pioneers of talk show radio, hosting the highly rated “Party Line” for 10 years from 1963 to 1973 on WRRR. He introduced the concept of the two-man morning show to Rockford with co-host, Doug McDuff in 1970. Ted joined WTVO – Chanel 17 in 1974 as news assignment editor and was a substitute news and sports anchor. He concluded his broadcast career as an account executive with radio stations WRRR, WYBR and WRWC, retiring in 1989. Member of Grace Lutheran Church where he served three years on the church council, was usher captain, reader, greeter and DJ host of Grace’s “Big Band Lunch Dance.” Survivors include his sisters, Connie Proctor of Des Plaines and Dorothy Blazic of Elmhurst; several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; wife; and sister, Charlotte Udoni.

Service at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in Grace Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Ave., Loves Park, with visitation from 11:30 a.m. to service time. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials to the church. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park.