Edward "Ed" Eugene Hobbs Sr.

Edward was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 27, 1939, to George and Julia (Sexton) Hobbs. He met Joyce Smith in high school, and married her in 1957. Together they shared three children, and in 1964, they moved to Illinois. Ed was a member of the Barber Shop Association for over 55 years. He also was very active in slow-pitch men’s softball as a pitcher for many years, even winning a state championship in the early 70’s. Ed and Joyce divorced in 1977. He married Nancy Northrup in October of 1978. He and Nancy were both Real Estate Agents for decades in the Rockford area, and they traveled the country for barbershop shows and competitions. They also had a condominium in Florida, where they would go every winter for many years. They enjoyed entertaining at their lake house until Nancy’s death in 2018 (almost made 40 years!).

Ed is preceded in death by parents, brother, George, Wife Nancy, first wife, Joyce, and three infant children with Joyce.

Ed is survived by his sons, Eddie (Rita) Hobbs, Greg (Jan) Hobbs; daughter, Mary (Tim) Sather; grandchildren, Jeremy (Michele) Sather, Miranda (Nick) Sather, Alexis (Rob) Skaggs, Maxwell (Sherr) Hobbs, Tony (Carrie) Hobbs, and Andrea (Matt) Kemp; great-grandchildren, Madey, Mason, Juliana, Hudson, Ben, Kane, Liam, Onyx, and Lennox; step-daughters, RaLynn (Frank) Hauser, and Amy (Dan) Mayo and their children, JR., Daniel, Shaun, and Jess; brother, Charles (Diane) Hobbs, sister-in-law, Janneene Hobbs, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Grand Regency, especially the staff on the memory unit (floor 2), and also Unity Hospice of Rochelle.

Per Ed’s request, there will be no services.