Rosie L. Fobar Newell

She was born Nov. 16, 1934 in New Madrid County, MO to Harrison and Ora (Anderson) Fobar. She married Percy O. Newell in East Peoria on Dec. 22, 1950. He preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 1975. She was also preceded by her parents; two sisters, Maudie Putman, Brenda Hale; and two brothers, Estal Fobar, and Donald Fobar.

Surviving are two daughters, Jan (Dave) Blumenstock of East Peoria, Cheryl (Robert) Kern of East Peoria; six grandchildren, Brad (Heather) Blumenstock, Erik (fiancé Natasha) Blumenstock, R. Scott Kern, Gregory (Michelle) Kern, Trent (Maripat) Kern, Tamara (Gary) Turner; seven great grandchildren, Haley Blumenstock, Shayna Rebatske, Kody Turner, Jaycee Turner, Josslyn Kern, Zack Zang, Little Trent; several nieces and nephews; and Scruffy her loving cat who gave her many years of companionship.

Rosie opened her first restaurant in East Peoria in 1961; it was called Newell’s Hotel and Coffee Shop. It was destroyed in a fire in 1980. In 1982 she opened and operated Newell’s Family Restaurant in East Peoria with her family until she retired in 2000. She was a member of the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce, helped with donations for the East Peoria Festival of Lights Nativity Scene, and sponsored many East Peoria youth sports teams. She also initiated and raised funds for the Cairns Iris Helmets for the East Peoria Fire Department, and bulletproof vests for the East Peoria Police Department dogs.

Rosie was a generous, loving, and compassionate person to all people and animals and will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank family and friends, including the wonderful team from Harbor Light Hospice for all of their love and support on this journey they had with their mom.

Cremation has been accorded. Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Funeral Home. Burial of ashes will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria at a later date. Memorials may be made to T.A.P.S. no kill shelter in Pekin or to Harbor Light Hospice.