Glenn William Means
MACHESNEY PARK - Glenn William Means, 86, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Grand Victorian in Rockford, IL, with some family at his side. He was born on October 2, 1937, in Connellsville, PA, the son of the late Harry William and Pearl Olive (Nicholson) Means. Glenn joined the Navy in 1955 and served as an electrician aboard the USS Forrestal. He served during the Korean Conflict; during which his ship was based mostly in the Mediterranean Sea. Some memorable stops in port were Istanbul, Italy, and Jamaica. Post Naval service, he went to machinists’ school on the GI Bill. In 1959, he married Joyce Elaine Hixson of Scottdale, PA, and they moved to Rockford in 1961. Glenn and Joyce have three children. In 1989, Glenn married the late Shirley Jean Stavn of Rockford. He was a devoted husband to Shirley until her death in 2022. Glenn worked at Barber Coleman in Rockford for several years, and he retired from the Rockford Newspaper where he worked for over 30 years. Glenn was an avid sports fan. His favorite teams were from Pittsburgh, but he would root for Chicago teams because in the early years those were the only games he could see on Rockford channels. He also enjoyed cooking shows and most frequently had them on his TV. He collected hats, pocketknives, and free socks. He enjoyed road trips to historical and nature sites and visited every bridge in Madison Co., IA. Glenn spent a great deal of time watching birds. During retirement he had his coffee hang outs where he developed numerous long-lasting friendships. Survivors include his youngest brother, Richard (Angela) Means; brother-in-law, Roy Faidley, both of Connellsville, PA; daughters, Janice (Mike Walsh) Means of Chicago and Jacalyn (Joe) Evers of Elgin; son, Geoff (Amy Stevens) Means of Rockford; grandchildren, Logan Panjkovich of Algonquin, Bailey Panjkovich of Des Moines, IA, Lizzie (JJ) Lambert of Huntsville, TX, Andy (Luana Faria) Evers of South Elgin, Matt (Megan Craig) Evers of Parkville, MO, Chelsea (Ian Reid) Means of Kansas City, MO; godson, Jacob Harker of Rockford; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and remaining friends. Predeceased by his parents; wife; sisters, Geraldine Faidley and Donna Jean Means; and brothers, Dale, James Rainey, Paul, and Robert Means.
Service at noon Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, IL, with visitation from 11 a.m. to service time. Burial in Cedar Bluff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Dot’s Friends, a 501c3 dog rescue organization run by his granddaughter at 3134 Winding Way, Huntsville, TX 77340 or visit https://linktr.ee/dotsfriendsrescue or, Veteran’s Drop Center, a 501c3 organization at 1539 South 4th Street, Rockford, IL 61104 or visit at https://www.veteransdropincenter.com/.