Wilbur Reid

Wilbur Hugh Reid, 95, of Rockford passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020, in his home with his wife by his side.  He was born on September 22, 1925, in Rockford, the son of John M. and Edith (Greenlee) Reid.  Wilbur graduated from Harlem High School, Class of 1943.  He then served in World War II with the U.S. Marine Corps.  He served with the 2nd Marine Division and Occupation troops in Nagasaki, Japan.  After returning home, he returned to grain and livestock farming and many years later enjoyed working the farm with his son, John.  On June 17, 1950, he married his wife of 70 years, JoAnne (Lyford) Reid.  He lived his life in the 1882 family farmhouse on Argyle Road.  In 2008, Wilbur and JoAnne moved to Fairhaven Retirement Center, when their granddaughter, Maren, and her family moved into the family farmhouse.  To his four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he was simply the “World’s Best Dad and Grandpa.”  He was the epitome of the greatest generation, living out the values of faith, responsibility, kindness, humility, and hard work throughout his life.  Dad was our “rock” steady, gentle, and wise…and taught all of us to love the land and everyone around us.  He was a member of Boone County Farm Bureau his entire life and was past president of the Boone County Service Company.  He was a member of the Argyle School Board and served as its President for two years.  Wilbur was a life-long member of the Willow Creek Presbyterian Church where he was an Elder for six years, was Clerk of Session and served on various committees.  Wilbur was a member of the Argyle Gun Club for 25 years and Guilford Hope Grange for most of his life.  His hobbies included big game-hunting in Montana and Alaska and reading farm journals.  He and JoAnne enjoyed spending winters in their condo at St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, for over 40 years.  Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife, JoAnne of Rockford; son, John (Kim) Reid of Argyle; daughters, Kathy Owens of Loves Park, Mary (Greg) Gloeckner Bouljon of Moline, and Barbara (Ken) Amos of Shorewood; 13 grandchildren, Sarah, Maren, Rebekah, Rachael, Jennifer, Anne, Alex, Kristin, Megan, Justin, Jeanette, Misty, and Brock; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Walk through visitation with social distancing and face coverings required from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2020, in Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.  Private family services will be held at 1:30 p.m. with live stream on Delehanty Facebook page.  Burial in Argyle Scottish Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Willow Creek Presbyterian Church, Caledonia, Fairhaven Retirement Center, Rockford, or Northern Illinois Hospice.