John Edwards

John D Edwards, 66, of Rockton went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 14, 2011. Born January 29, 1945 in Springfield, son of John and Betty Edwards. Graduate of Winnebago High School and the University of Illinois. Married to Patricia McCoy on January 22, 1966 in Seward. John retired in January 2010 from Hamilton Sundstrand, after 44 years of service. He was a Principal Chemist and Laboratory Section Lead for the Materials, Science and Engineering Department. John was honored with numerous service awards, including several from NASA.

He was a member of First Evangelical Covenant Church, where he served as Elder, Deacon of Worship and Music and the Adult Ministries Commissions. John's greatest love was his ministry in music. For more than 30 years, he had the joy of singing in the church choir, ensembles, solos, playing in the Christian fellowship band and is now singing with our Lord. John also enjoyed coaching soccer, fishing, boating, playing sports and cheering for his favorite teams; the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers!

John is survived by his wife, Pat, his children Andrew (Tracy) Edwards of South Beloit and Stephanie (Jameson) Pajerski of Janesville, 5 grandchildren; Jordan and Ashley Edwards, and Baleigh, Sydney and Jaxon Pajerski, sisters Carol Brewer of Rockford and Sharon (Jack) Maris of Bolingbrook, brothers Rick (Kathy) Edwards of Byron and Chris (Susie) Edwards of Big Bear, CA, special aunt and uncle Darrell and Nancy Edwards of Virden and many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his father, John and his mother, Elizabeth of Winnebago.

A private, family cremation service will be held on Friday, August 19.
Please join the family in A Celebration of John's Life at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 316 Wood Rd., Rockford, IL 61107 on Saturday, August 27. Visitation 4:30-6:30p.m., Memorial Service at 6:30p.m.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.carepages.com/visit.


The family wishes to thank everyone in the Neuroscience Department at UW Madison Hospital for their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to John Edwards for the UW Medical Foundation brain tumor research project.