ROCKFORD – Delbert “Del” Lloyd Tedrick age 93, formerly of Winnebago, died Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Trustwell Living at Cherryvale Place in Rockford. He was born August 2, 1930, in Sterling, Illinois the son of Chester and Maude (Caswell) Tedrick. He graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1948. Del served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1950 – 1954 in the South Korean Theater. He married Phyllis Fraley on Nov. 7, 1954, at Lowden State Park near Oregon, IL. Del’s occupation consisted of many things: he owned and operated Del’s Gulf in Freeport, IL, owned and operated a fuel-delivery truck for DX, operated harvest equipment for Del Monte in Rochelle, was a farmer, and worked 32 years for the Illinois Farm Bureau including serving his last 26 years as manager of the Winnebago County Farm Bureau. He was a 55-year member of Middle Creek Presbyterian Church where he was an ordained Elder and served as Trustee. Del was a former Lions’s Club member, and a 50-year member of the Durand American Legion. Del introduced President Ford to 600 Farm Bureau members and years later was thanked with a handshake from President Ronald Reagan for his coordination of the “Operation Haylift” program. He also represented the U.S. by leading a trade mission to the Soviet Union. Del participated in Civil War reenactments for over 20 years with the Battery G 2nd Illinois and Chicago Mercantile Artillery Batteries; Del’s fellow reenactors became a second family for him. In 2019, Del’s military service was the subject of a mini documentary by the Harlem Veteran Project; the film can be viewed by searching Del’s name on YouTube. He liked to garden and take great care of his grounds at home. He was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers Albert, Wallace, and Richard Tedrick; and granddaughter Casey Tedrick. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Phyllis Tedrick of Rockford; three children: Tim (Mary Lynn) Tedrick of Sterling; Robin (Becki) Tedrick of Winnebago; and Kimberly Tedrick (Paul Mapes) of Davis Junction; five grandchildren: Sean (Courtney) Tedrick of Naperville; Alison (Barrick) Tormohlen of Sterling; Kristin Tedrick of Rockford; Trenton Tedrick of Rockford; and Rachel (Ryan) Rebsom of Oswego; four great-grandchildren: Charlie, Connor, Rhylen, and Renley. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 20th, 2024, at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 136 W. Roosevelt Road in Stillman Valley, IL with the Pastor Willie Little, Chaplin of the Serenity Hospice and Home officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service at the funeral home from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. Military honors for Del will follow the funeral service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the White Rock Cemetery near Kings, Illinois. Please, no flowers. Instead, a memorial fund has been established in Del’s name and may be directed to Middle Creek Presbyterian Church, Rock River Valley Blood Center or Serenity Hospice and Home. Visit www.farrellhollandgale.com to leave a condolence or memory of Del.
