Robert “Bob” Charles Caron, 96, passed away peacefully at his home in Rochelle, Illinois on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Bob was born on May 1, 1930 in Rochelle to Robert A. and Marguerite (Boissmault) Caron. He graduated from Rochelle Township High School in 1948. He was on all the class reunion committees ending with their 70th reunion in 2018. He attended Rockford School of Business for 1½ years.

Bob served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1954 in England and Georgia. While overseas, he was blessed by Pope Pius XIl in Rome. He was a life member of Rochelle VFW.

On June 28, 1958, he married Shirley A. Stabenow at St. James Pro Cathedral in Rockford, IL.

Bob was a Dye Tank Scheduler for 38 years at Morgan Dyeing & Bleaching/Caron International.

He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's Church in Rochelle, IL. He was an altar server at St.

Patrick's Grade School and an adult server for daily masses and funerals at the church. He also was a sacristan and was on several church committees. He was especially dedicated to praying his daily rosary.

Bob enjoyed his many hobbies such as gardening, bird watching, electric train sets, watching the trains at Rochelle Train Park, cooking and baking, and his morning coffee friends.

Bob loved his family with all his heart, along with the holidays, birthdays, attending school and sport activities, and the many card games that were played.

Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley; his daughters: Margaret (Stanley Livingston) White of Oquawka, IL, Marcia (Mike) McKean of Arlington, TX, Michele (David) Sheets of Rochelle, IL, and Marianne McIntyre of Dallas, TX; his son, Mike Caron of Rochelle, IL; his ten grandchildren: Melissa (Bruce) Wafful, Margaret Rose (Scott) Kerber, Josh McIntyre, Spencer (Noel) White, Alexandra Cesarone, Olivia (Dagin) Buck, Dominic Caron, Casey McKean, Josiah Caron, and Riley McKean; and six great grandchildren: Madden and Maycie Cesarone, Zachary and Caden Kerber, Liliana White and Coleson Buck.

Bob is predeceased by his parents; two sisters: Madeleine Peters and Lucette Woodworth, and two brothers-in-law: Elmer Peters and Stan Woodworth.

The visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M., Friday, September 4, 2026 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 5 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle with Father Jesus Dominguez officiating. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Bob’s memory to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.