Pastor Roy Henry Joseph Bleick, 92, of Rockford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Illinois Veteran’s Home in Lasalle, Illinois.
Born on October 15, 1925 in Fairfax, Minnesota. Son of Herbert and Maude (Julius) Bleick. Veteran of the United States Army having served during the Battle of the Bulge during WWII as a Paratrooper. United in marriage to Dora M. Mattern on May 15, 1948 in Berlin, Germany. She preceded him in death on September 4, 2013.
Pastor Bleick attended Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois receiving his Bachelors and then attended Concordia Seminary in St Louis, Missosuri receiving his Masters in Divinity. During his lifetime he served congregations in Wauneta and Holdrege, Nebraska, Chicago, Beloit, Wisconsin and the St Louis, Missouri area. Later worked for the Nebraska district office for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Synodical office in St Louis, and Concordia Publishing House. He was known for his love of God, Family and his Country.
He is survived by his daughters, Angelica Zinke, Emily (Phil), Karen Yocum and Susan (Kevin) Furman; grandchildren, Sandra Buchwald, Jennifer (Matthew), Sarah (Dave), Brian (Melissa) Yocum, Stacey Powell and Karie Furman; great-grandchildren, Trevor, Natalie, Nicholas, Carly, Jase, Victoria, Julia and Hunter. Predeceased by his parents; sister, Joy Strehlow.
Celebration of life Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday October 20 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Alpine Rd, Rockford with Pastor Ken Krause officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 19 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park and one hour before services on Saturday at the church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow Services at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.