CHATHAM – Darlene Rockford, 95, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Carriage Crossing in Rochester.

She was born August 13, 1929 to Lloyd and Anna (Breitweser) Kyle.  She married Joseph P. Rockford, the father of their 3 children, in June, 1955.  She was preceded in death her parents; 4 brothers, Vernon, Archie, Lloyal "Hoot" and Donald; and 1 sister, Virginia.

Darlene worked for Springfield School District 186 for 31 years.  She began work in District 186 as a secretary at Southeast in 1967 and was transferred to Springfield High in 1980, where she served as the secretary to athletic director, Kris Glintborg.  It was Glintborg who got Darlene involved in SHS athletic events.  Darlene retired from District 186 in 1998 after 31 years but remained active, working volleyball, soccer, baseball, track and basketball games.  She loved sports, ALL sports and was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 as a Friend of Sport.  She was proud to join her son, Jim, who was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.  She received the Kevin Lehman Award from Springfield High School Booster Club in 2003.

She is survived by her children, Paula Viar (Terry) of Chatham, Diane Workman (Michael) of New Berlin and Jim (Eve) Rockford of Houston, TX;  8 grandchildren, Kyle Smith (Parker) of Godfrey, Sarah (Aaron) Kaka of Lewis Center, Ohio, Stephanie (Tom) Skinner of Seattle, WA, Cara (Sam) Meteer of Springfield, Anna (Sam) Capouch of Springfield, Candice (Patrick) Sanders of Spring, TX, Lauren (Justin) Dvorak of Houston, TX and Cydney Rockford of Houston, TX; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Knight of Columbus, 2200 S. Meadowbrook Road, Springfield. Private family inurnment was in St. Mary's Cemetery in New Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hands of God Hospice, 1500 N. Fifth Street, Suite 203, Springfield, IL 62702