MaryEllen Winters

MaryEllen Winters, age 86, died Friday, January 17, 2025 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford, IL. She was born November 8, 1938 in Rockford the daughter of Roland and Laura (Hobart) Nelson. MaryEllen graduated from Byron High School in 1957 and then from Mt. Vernon Bible College in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She married Gary H. Winters on October 24, 1972 in Las Vegas, Navada. She was a longtime member of the First Free Evangelical Church in Rockford where she was active in the Sunday School Department. Her hobbies included painting, drawing, and photography. MaryEllen was predeceased by her parents Roland and Laura Nelson. She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years Gary H. Winters of Rockford; her sister Marvel Blomberg of Rochelle, IL; nieces and nephews: Jill Talbot of Streator, IL; Jim Blomberg of Rochelle, IL; and Julie Steele of Wheaton, IL; cousin Karen Mitchell of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and many great nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 506 W. Merchant St. in Byron, IL with Dr. Jim Perish officiating. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial will follow the service at the Byron Cemetery. A memorial fund is established in MaryEllen’s name for the Rockford Rescue Mission.