Hazen Hugh Himes

Hazen Hugh Himes, 96, passed away February 28th, 2022, at Fairhaven Retirement Center. Hazen was born on December 21, 1925, to Henry Clay and Mary Lowry Himes. He graduated from Byron High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the US, Navy, attending radio school at the University of Wisconsin. Serving as a Radioman 2/C in World War Il from 1944-1946, he was stationed in Oceanside, California and Honolulu, Hawaii, and was assigned to the USS Eldorado and then the USS LCS 108. Married Geraldine Greene on November 28, 1946, in Rockford. During the summer of 1950 they spent 10 weeks traveling through 14 countries of Europe on motor bikes.

Graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota in 1952.

 He was a middle school teacher from 1960 to 1980 at Lincoln Park, Wilson and Eisenhower schools. During the summers of his teaching years, he drove coast to coast for North American and Global Van Lines, and became a part-time driver for Peoria Rockford Bus Co. He left teaching in 1980 to take a management position with Peoria Rockford and retired in 1995 as their General Manager/Vice President. He served in various positions over the years while an active member of Temple Baptist Church. Hazen was a quiet man of impeccable character, with dignity, integrity, and uncompromising convictions. He loved and enjoyed his family and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, always supportive and encouraging. His beloved wife, Geri, passed away in 2016, three months before their 70th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by daughter, Pam Abt of Pueblo West, CO; sons, Randy of Nashville TN, and Jared (Maura) of Rockford; grandchildren, Arienne Abt-Roper, Garrick Abt, Candy Wathen, Chase, Clay and Cameron Himes, Kaylin Carlson, and Kelsey Himes; great-grandchildren, Wesley & Lucas Roper, Camille & Carter Wathen, Isaac & Barrett Carlson; brother, Elwood; brother-in-law, Rick Greene; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded by brothers Duane, Rolland, and Ronald, and son-in-law, Robert Abt.

Funeral Service will be Saturday March 5th, 2022, time 11:00 a.m. and a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at Sundberg Funeral Home, 215 North Sixth Street, Rockford, IL. 61107. Condolences can be sent to sundbergfh.com In lieu of flowers, memorials to Rockford Rescue Mission.

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