Gerhart Rommel

Gerhart "Buzz" Rommel, 70, of Gurnee passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at home with his wife by his side. He was born on September 24, 1939 in Waukegan to the late Joseph Gerhart Rommel and Eleanor (Rutkowski) O'Brien. On August 4, 1962 in Waukegan, Gerhart married Margaret A. Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret "Peggy" Rommel; sons, Carl (Denise) Rommel of Wadsworth, OH and Todd Rommel of Dunn, N.C.; grandchildren, Andrew Michael Crawford, Erich Gerhart Rommel and Cheyenne Elizabeth Rommel; cousins, Gregory (Freda) Schaefer of Jacksonville, FL and Craig (Jane) Schaefer of Northfield, IL; mother-in-law, Clara Petruska of Joliet, IL; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Don) Fisher of Joliet, IL and Beth Petruska of San Jose, CA; brother-in-law, John Arthur (Darlene) Jackson of Oklahoma City, OK; several nieces and nephews and extended family, Terri and Jim Crawford of Grayslake. Buzz was a member of the Zion Moose Lodge 667, the Teamsters Local 301 and a former member of the "Tiny Social Club." He started his career as a truck driver for Pepsi Cola as a route salesman, then he worked for Dan Lodesky Trucking before retiring from Fleet Transportation in 1997. He was an avid Bears fan and loved riding his Harley. Buzz was from the Class of 1957 from Waukegan High School. For many years he served on the Reunion Committee and always enjoyed seeing his classmates. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Service will be private. Inurnment will take place at Warren Cemetery, Chapel of Peace Mausoleum, Gurnee. Memorial donations may be made to Star Hospice or the American Heart Association. The family would like to say thank you to Buzz's friends who made the special effort to call, visit and send cards to cheer him. A special thank you to Star Hospice, especially Rachel, Erica, Susan and Barbara. Arrangements entrusted to WARREN FUNERAL HOME, 1475 N. Cemetery Rd., Gurnee.