Billie J. Sondgeroth

Billie Jean Sondgeroth, 64, of Freeport, died on Friday, March 13, after a brief illness surrounded by her family in her home. She was born December 23, 1950, in Mattoon, IL, the daughter of Charles and Mildred (Lough) Eaton. She was a graduate of Urbana High School in Urbana, IL, and had attended Highland Community College in Freeport. Billie married Stu Sondgeroth on March 16, 1991. She had retired as a long time dental assistant to Dr. Dale Schmid in Freeport. She was a member of Bible Community Church in Freeport, where she volunteered in the church office. Billie had previously defeated breast cancer and was a 16 year survivor. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her dogs Sammy and Maddie and before them Josie. She also loved to travel with Stu, spending time in over 60 countries worldwide. Her greatest joy was to spend time with her four grandchildren, to whom she was known as "Grammy". Billie is survived by her husband Stu; her mother Mildred Eaton of Urbana, IL; her son Jeff (Kelly) Lowary of Rockford, IL, and daughter Julie (Dave) Bronke of Bloomington, IL, both from her first marriage to Michael Lowary; her sister Jerre (Junior) Nelson of Champaign, IL; her brother Mike Eaton of Champaign, IL; and four grandchildren Meadow and Maylyn Bronke and Bennett and Elizabeth Lowary. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Eaton and her grandson Matthew Michael Lowary. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, March 18 at Bible Community Church, 2810 West Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL, with Pastor Kurt Strong officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 17 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. She will be interred in the Oakland Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations to the local Stephenson County Relay For Life in Billie's name would be appreciated (www.relayforlife.org, search for 61032 zip code). Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.