Elzie R. Ulrey

He married Mildred Green on October 6, 1940 in Paw Paw, Illinois.

Elzie served in the 97th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war he attended Worsham’s College of Mortuary Science and worked for Burpee Wood Funeral Home in Rockford for many years. In 1968, he opened Ulrey Funeral Home (now Advantage Funeral Home).

Elzie was a lifetime member of the American Legion and served as State Commander in 1965. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, Tebala Shrine Klown, and a member of VFW Post 2955 in Roscoe. He was also a member of Aldersgate U.M.C.

Survivors include his children Roberta (Randy) Allen of Roscoe and John Ulrey of Reno, Nevada; sister Cleora Vance of Rockford; grandsons, Erick (Meredith) McKnight, , and Aaron (Brianne) McKnight; and great-granddaughters Vicktoria Rose, Ariana Mae McKnight, and another one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2012 from 5pm to 7pm at Advantage Funeral Home, 7000 West State Street in Rockford Illinois with Masonic Ceremonies beginning at 7pm.. A second visitation will be held February 18, 2012, from 10am to 11am at Advantage Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11am at Advantage; Pastor Thomas Hardwick will be officiating. Committal will take place at the Wyoming Township Cemetery in Paw Paw, Illinois with the Reverend Erick McKnight officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW Post 2955 and the Shiner’s Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences can be submitted at www.mem.com