Ernest Wayne Foster

Ernest Wayne Foster, 87, of Deer Park Township, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois with his family by his side. According to his wishes there will be no public services.

Ernest was born September 7, 1937, in Ottawa, Illinois, to Benjamin and Lelah (Lockman) Foster. He married Janice Marie Rahn on February 16, 1957, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

He contracted and survived polio at 14 years of age and was hospitalized for 16 weeks. He graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1957. He was a long time resident of Deer Park Township. He started his career as an engineering draftsman at Meckum Engineering and finished his career at US Silica.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lewis Foster, sister Wilma Rush, and his son Wayne Foster. He is survived by his wife Janice Foster, and sister Betty Johnson; his daughter-in-law Becky (Ohlendorf Foster) Jobe; his daughter Tami (Louis) Kanellis,  son Brad Foster, daughter Amy (Ron) Trucks and honorary daughters Jean Moran and Mary Louise Sackett; six grandchildren Maria (Mike) Bennett, Bill (Kelly) Kanellis, Joseph (Emily) Foster, Jesica Trucks, Janny (Nick) Chmielewski, and Cole Foster, and 13 Great Grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.