Dorothy "Darlene" Exline

Dorothy “Darlene” Exline, 89, Rockford, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2015, at Heritage Woods Nursing Home in Belvidere. She was born March 16, 1926, in Centerville, Iowa, the daughter of Ira and Margaret Elizabeth (McCurdy) Foster. She graduated from Exline High School where she played basketball. Darlene married Bobby Eugene Exline in 1945, and ended the marriage in 1957, raising her two daughters on her own. She retired from Rockford Products after 31 years and then worked part time for the Greater Rockford Auto Auction because she loved to drive. Darlene was a member of Cherry Valley United Methodist Church where she belonged to the Willing Workers and sang in the choir. She was an avid Cubs fan and a Green Bay Packer fan until Brett Farve left. Darlene never met a stranger and loved to tell corny jokes. She lived at Christian Life Retirement Center for 18 years and enjoyed spending time with her friends there, but most of all she loved spending time with her family. Survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brad) Ware of Rockford; her son-in-law, Donald Oldham of Stillman Valley; her son, Steve (Charlotte) Gerdes of Washington; her grandsons, Chad (Rebecca Lemus) Totten, Ronald (Kasey) Oldham, Michael (Jill) Oldham, Terry (Sara Marks) Oldham, Brad (Megan) Ware and Ryan (Tamara) Ware; her great-grandchildren, Paige, Zachery, Seth, Dane, Olivia, Rhone, and Nicholas Oldham, and Brayden, Madeline, Bennett, and Caleb Ware; her sister-in-law, Margaret Foster; many nieces, nephews, and special friends. Predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Rose Marie Oldham; her great grandson, Samuel Eugene Oldham; her sister, Marie (Chuck) Williams; her brothers, Delbert (Deoloris) Foster, Clell Foster, Forrest (Hester) Foster, Clifford (Doroles) Foster, and Glen (Betty) Foster. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at Cherry Valley United Methodist Church, 112 So. Cherry St., Cherry Valley, with Reverend Vickie Hadaway officiating. There will be a luncheon at church prior to burial in Highland Garden of Memories. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until time of service on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford. Memorials may be made to the church in Darlene’s name. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.