Obituary

JOHN E. CARLSON, 80 ROCKFORD - John E. Carlson, 80, of Rockford, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, in Park Strathmoor Nursing Home. Born September 28, 1933, in Rockford, the son of Edwin P. and Edna E. (Larson) Carlson. He had to drop out of high school to help out on the family farm when his father had health issues, but was proud to be able to receive his GED in 1992. John served in the Army and was stationed in Verdun, France for 17 months in 1954-1956. John married Dorothy Palmer January 26, 1957, in Rockford. He played a key role in beginning Maywood Free Church and was involved in many aspects of organizing the church's committees. He was a proud farmer for the rest of his years until his retirement. One of his enjoyments was time spent at the cabin in the Northwoods where he greatly enjoyed fishing. Survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Alan (Jean Kohler) Carlson, Brian (Carol) Carlson, Curt (LaVonne) Carlson, and Sandra (John) Taylor; grandchildren, Chad Carlson, Kyle (Ashley) Carlson, Kali (Bobbie) Wyble, Owen (Jenna Lipscomb) Carlson, Jennifer (Pete) Kiser, Rachel (Eric) Neumann, Christopher Carlson, Daniel Carlson, Rebecca Carlson, Nathanael Taylor and Samuel Taylor; great-grandchildren, Hadley, Weston, Brianna, Mylie, and Jameson; sister, Katherine (Bill) Lewis; and sister-in-law, Miriam Palmer. Predeceased by granddaughter, Monica; brother, Phillip Carlson; and brothers-in-law, Dick Anderson and Roger Palmer. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2013, at The Salvation Army Rockford Temple Corps, 500 S. Rockford Ave., with Major Karlene Lenz and Pastor Scott Nesse officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1111 S. Alpine Road or to Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.

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