Wesley Hyland
Wesley M. Hyland 1937—2016
Wesley M. Hyland, 79, of Belvidere, passed away peacefully, Thursday, November 3, 2016, after a long illness. Born March 22, 1937, in Belvidere, son of Herman S. and Floretta I. (Langdon) Hyland. Wes was a lifelong resident of Belvidere, and a graduate of Belvidere High School, Class of 1955. He went on to graduate with honors from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where he served as the president of his class. He married the love of his life, Nancy Butz on July 31, 1955, in Belvidere. Wes was a licensed funeral director, and was the owner of Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, since 1955. Wes was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and was active on numerous boards and committees, including "Coming Together", which built the new church facility that was dedicated in 1996. He was a member and past president of the Northern Illinois Funeral Directors Association, a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Wes was elected to five terms as the Boone County Coroner from 1968-1988, and was a former member, past president, and chairman of the "Disaster Preparedness Committee" for the Illinois Coroner's Association. He was a charter member and long-time treasurer of the Boone County Republican Club, and organized the annual Republican "Steak fry" for many years. Wes was a former member and "Ambassador" of the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce, as well as being the past president of the Belvidere Jaycees and the Belvidere Noon Rotary Club. As a descendant of an early Boone County settler, he was an avid genealogist. Wes was a life member of the Boone County Historical Society, and was extremely proud to be a former member, past president, and longtime office holder, of the Sons of the American Revolution. He enjoyed traveling and the outdoors, which included fishing and camping. Wes along with his wife, served as a catalyst and organizer of numerous group trips, both domestic and foreign. He and Nancy were "Snowbirds" who traveled to the southwest for the winter, and took other vacation trips and weekend excursions with his 5th wheel trailer, where they traveled to all 50 of the United States. Wes is loved and missed by his wife of 61 years, Nancy; daughter, Delores (Wayne) Hyland-Mrozinski of Boulder City, NV; son-in-law, Garry Roden of Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren, Samuel and Sarah Roden; sister, Mary (David) McEleney of Normal, IL; brother, Paul (Shelley) Hyland of Crystal Lake, IL; nieces, Jennifer Parry and Kathy Vize; nephews, Andrew and Bradley Hyland; brother-in-law, Wayne Butz of Belvidere. He is preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Marilyn Roden.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1045 Belvidere Road, Belvidere, IL 61008, with Rev. Allan Buss officiating. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2016, at the church, with a visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m., before the service. Burial in Carmen Cemetery, Rockford. Memorials may made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
1937 - 2016 (79 years)
