Elmer Richard Rowley, 88, of Rochelle, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at the Rochelle Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. He was born March 15, 1927 in Rochelle, the son of Richard Girdon and Edna (Cross) Rowley. Elmer was born and raised a farmer and farmed all of his life. He worked for Rochelle Vault for 10 years and then as a salesman for Swenson Products before retiring. He was very active as a volunteer fireman and was instrumental in forming the Flagg Center Volunteer Fire Department. Elmer was very involved in area Republican politics. He was a 48 year member of the Horicon Lodge 244. He was a member of the Kiwanis and Golden K. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Lou Rowley and wife Marilyn Rowley, son Randy Rowley and sister, Ruth Patterson.

Elmer is survived by three children, Connie (Rich) Rosas of Rochelle, Bonnie (Joe) Boon of Jonesboro, AR, and Rebecca (Tim) Danner of Rochelle;one daughter-in-law, Lois Rowley of Rochelle; 30 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Cultra of Rochelle; and six step-children, Virginia (Al) Terviel of Dixon, John (Andrea) Fletcher of Rochelle, Fred (Pat) Fletcher of DeKalb, Alan (Sherry) Ankney of Chana, Dusty (Anne) Ankney of Rochelle, and Galen Ankney of Rochelle.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., in Rochelle, where a Masonic service will be at 7:30 PM following the visitation. There will be an additional visitation Thursday, one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 -2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1415 10th Ave., in Rochelle with Rev. Gregory Hoffman officiating. Burial will follow in Flagg Center Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Flagg Center Fire Department. Sign the online guest book at www.UngerHorner.com.