June Haselton

June Haselton, 102, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Garden Prairie, IL, passed away on Monday,
April 24, 2023. She was born on June 1, 1920, in Chicago, IL to the late Samuel and Carolyn
(Ryerson) Hocker. She married the love of her life, Richard Haselton, on December 26, 1944, in
Oceanside, CA. June is loved and will be deeply missed by her son, Bruce (Aubra) Haselton;
daughters, Carolyn (Win) Holden, Kathy (Royce) Farmer; 6 grandchildren; 8 great
grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, Samuel and
Carolyn; sisters, Kit (Ralph) Foster, Carolyn (Vick) Vickrey. In high school, June was a lifeguard
at LaGrange Country Club. She also participated in diving competitions and received several
medals. June graduated from the University of Illinois with a teaching degree. Once her children
were in school, she taught girl’s physical education in several high schools in the Chicago area
as Richard’s basketball coaching career moved him to bigger schools. Before retiring, she taught
at Guilford in Rockford for several years. After retiring, she and Richard moved to Hasey Acres
in Garden Prairie. There she gardened and used the produce to make the best tomato juice,
pickled beets, applesauce and bread and butter pickles from scratch. Swimming was a huge part
of June’s life. She taught some of her grandchildren to swim. She also enjoyed canoeing and
water skiing at the family’s summer home at Lake Wissota in Wisconsin. June taught water
exercise classes at the Belvidere YMCA until she was 95 years old. She also taught many adults
to swim at the Y. She continued to do water exercises after she moved to Wesley Willows. June
sang in the choir and was in the women’s group at church. She also enjoyed playing bridge,
participating in exercise classes, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. Granddaughter Sara
remembers her as a steady, strong woman and a quietly determined soul. Unstoppable,
uncomplicated and direct. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 1 st Presbyterian
Church in Belvidere, IL from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. The funeral service will begin at 11:00
A.M. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Belvidere or the Belvidere YMCA.