Roger Schlichting, age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2025, at the Lena Living Center in Lena, IL.  The son of Roy and Leta (Sincox) Schlichting, he was born on March 1, 1935 in Shullsburg, WI.  In his younger years he was a boy scout and a member of the local 4-H where he showed beef cattle in the Warren and Freeport fairs.  At the age of 13 he contracted the polio virus. He spent the next two years learning how to walk again.  He attended high school in Stockton, IL where he was a member of the FFA and played center for the football team.

He married the love of his life, Marilyn Westaby, on December 4, 1955 in Stockton, Illinois. He joined the Army Reserves on January 26, 1956 and was a part of the reserves until he came back to the Apple River area to farm with his dad and uncle on their family farm. Roger was very active in his community serving on various boards throughout the years including:  the Stockton School Board, served 14 years for the Jo Daviess County Soil and Water Conservation District,  served 14 years with the Blackhawk Hills RC&D Council, Democratic Committeeman/ Election Judge for Thompson Township, Sexton for Shepherd of the Hills Cemetery, President of the Joint Board and Secretary of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, and board member for Jo Carroll Electric. He helped Jo Carroll Electric with meter reading for several years. He also represented Jo Carroll at annual IL state meetings and traveled to Washington D.C, Las Vegas and San Fransico for meetings and conventions.  He also proudly served as the secretary for the Apple River Fire Department for several years.

In his free time, Roger enjoyed deer hunting with family and friends as well as going out to Montana to hunt mule deer and antelope, riding motorcycles and snowmobiling. Roger and Marilyn enjoyed playing cards, taking ballroom dance classes and traveling to visit family and friends. They took many trips to Maryland to visit their daughter, Lisa, trips to southern IL to visit their son, Andy, and to the Gulf Shores to see their friends.

Roger is survived by his 3 children: Renee (Richard) Carmody of Freeport, IL, Andrew (Cindy) Schlichting of Freeburg, IL, and Lisa Loeffler of Brunswick, Maryland.  His legacy includes his grandchildren Aidan and Evan Schlichting, and Mason, Harrison, Maggie, and Mary Loeffler.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Marilyn in 2021 and daughter, Roxanne Rae, at birth.

A Celebration of Life will be held for both Roger and Marilyn from 1:00-4:00 pm on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the Apple River Event Center in Apple River, IL.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

A memorial has been established in his memory.