Deacon Robert J. Real

ELGIN—Deacon Robert Joseph Real, 93, died Nov. 19, 2020.

He was born on March 24, 1927 to Emma (Connolly) Real and Theron J. Real.

At the age of 22 he married Lois J. Beckman, and together they welcomed eight children into their family.

Deacon Real served in the U.S. Navy and spent time in the Philippine Islands as WWII was ending. Returning home to Elgin he joined the ranks of the Elgin Police Dept. for three years. He then took a job with Bunge’s Tire and Service Station and worked there until retiring in 1989.

His career as a salesman and passion to serve others led him deeper into his faith.

He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rockford in 1982 and served at St. Laurence Parish in Elgin.

In 1990 he began work at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin as a chaplain, serving others until his retirement, near his 90th birthday.

Deacon Real is survived by his children Ted (Pam), Janet Real-Miller, John, Karen (Max) Bassler, Jim (Vicky), Andy (Doreen), Liz, Patty (Craig) Lamp; grandchildren Erin, Adam, Jenna, Rachel, Elizabeth, Stefanie, MaxRobert, Shawna, Marie, Louis, Kevin, Hanna, Austin, and Emily;  great-grandchildren Chester, Theron Sonny, Elena, Elliot, and Charles.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois (1930-1968);  his parents, and a sister, Helen M. Koch.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Laurence Parish or Highland Oaks Nursing Home of Elgin.

A private funeral service was held Nov. 28 for family. Burial was at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Deacon Carlos Navarro

AURORA—Deacon Carlos Navarro, 72, of Aurora, died  November 20, 2020.

He was born on March 12, 1948, in Mexico City, Mexico, the son of Antonio and Maria (Azcarate) Navarro.

He retired from Caterpillar after 31 years of service.

He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rockford in 1990 and served both St. Peter and Our Lady of Good Counsel parishes in Aurora for the majority of those years.

He was a hospice chaplain with the VNA and Mercy Hospital, and a Cursillista.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Carmen (Cruz); daughters Guadalupe Navarro and Beatriz (Mike) Assell; granddaughter Maddy Assell; mother, Maria Navarro; siblings, Virginia Lopez, Antonio (Bertha) Navarro, Maria Martinez, Francisco (Consuelo) Navarro, Mario (Claudia) Navarro, Graciela (Enrique) Moreno, Armando (Ruth) Navarro, Eduardo (Rosie) Navarro and Gloria (Martin) Gonzalez; and by many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Antonio Navarro and sister Maria Luisa (and brother-in-law Jose Luis) Iniguez and one brother in infancy, Francisco Javier.

A private funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish on Nov. 24, 2020.