Velma Kathryn Bessert

Velma Kathryn Bessert, age 89, Roscoe, IL passed away February 23, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was born July 5, 1927 in Rockford, Illinois to Wilford Washington Walton and Theresa Catherine (Hoff) Walton. She graduated from West High School in 1945. Velma was married to William A. Conkling Jr. in 1947 and then to Richard Bessert in 1970. She attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockford. Velma lived in the same home on Rockford’s west side for 60 years and worked for many years at Jewel Food and Bergner’s Distribution Center. She enjoyed working in her yard, visiting Lake Geneva and Wisconsin Dells, boating, the Chicago Cubs and most importantly her family. Special thanks to Northern Illinois Hospice for final care and her daughter Corynne as her caregiver for the past two years.

Velma is survived by sons William (Mary) Conkling III and Ricky Conkling, daughters Paula (Marty) McNally, Corynne (Kirk) Gille and Ann (Jason) Holub; 16 grandchildren Stephanie (Mike) Shimp, William (Kyla) Conkling IV, Dennis (Kim) Moore, Lisa (Gary) Brankin, Mark Conkling, Brian Conkling, Andrew (Abby) McNally, Shannon McNally, Steven McNally, Theresa Heitz, Devin Heitz, Amber (Ryan) Lindberg, Kristine (Matthew) Protz, Eric (Katie) Legue, Madison Holub, Mason Holub; 17 great grandchildren Anthony Syracuse, Victoria Syracuse, Tyler (Lauren) Shimp, Morgan (Kaleb) Ledford, William Conkling V, Charles Conkling, Alyssa Moore, Brandon Moore, Michael Guzzardo, Cameron Guzzardo, Aiden Johnson, Margot McNally, Leah, Koal & Arienne Conkling, Stella & Tristan Lindberg; 2 great great grandchildren Eva Syracuse and Riley Shimp. Brothers Kenneth (Helen) Walton, Jerry Walton, sister in law Mary Walton and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by: father, mother, brothers Merle and Wilford, sister Lavon Erickson, sisters in law Florence and Donna Walton and brother in law Harold Erickson.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 27 at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral Service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park. Entombment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. To share a condolence visit www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com