Vance Barrie

Vance J. Barrie, 72, of Rockton passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019. Born February 14, 1947, in Tracy, MN, the son of Meddie and Jean (VanDromme) Barrie. Graduated from Northern Illinois University. Veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1968 to 1971. Married Patricia Harms on May 31, 1969, in Richmond. Formerly employed by DeKalb Daily Chronicle as a sports columnist from 1971 to 1974, Kishwaukee College as PR Coordinator from 1974 to 1980, Public Relations as marketing coordinator and retired from the Rockford Park District after 30 years. Active member of North Park Church of Christ since moving to the area in 1980 where he served as a deacon and worked for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Vance enjoyed playing, watching and reading about baseball and softball. He grew up a huge fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Braves. Vance helped bring Senior Softball to Rockford at Sportscore through the Rockford Park District. He helped start and promote the Rockford Snow Sculpting Competition. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; his children, Mike (Jenny) Barrie and Wendy (John) Hensley; grandchildren, Emma, Hannah, Mason and Gage; brother, Lee (Francine) Barrie; sister, Lynn (Dave) Peterson; sisters-in-law, Diana Benthein and Lynne (John) Geuzendam; brother-in-law, David (Kathleen) Harms; nieces and nephews, Amanda Manzke, Jerome Downey, Krista Jardeen, Brad Barrie, Renee Downey, Dan Harms, Mary Walsh, Thomas Harms and Kalynn Geuzendam. Predeceased by his parents; brother, Bruce Barrie; and brother-in-law, Ralph Benthein. Special thanks to Joan Wadsworth for her compassionate care.

Service at 3 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2019, in North Park Church of Christ, 7620 Elm Ave., Machesney Park, with visitation from 1 p.m. to service time. Burial in Orvis-Sanborn Cemetery, Spring Grove. Memorials to American Alzheimer’s Association or North Park Church of Christ. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., of Loves Park.