Hubert Rees

Hubert Rees, died on June 17, 2024 in Rockford.  He was born October 23, 1936 in St. Anthony Hospital, then located in downtown Rockford on the E. State St. area.  His parents were Bernard and Anna Rees.  He had a brother, Bernart Rees Jr. who was 7 years older.  His father was of Swedish heritage and mother Austrian heritage of the Catholic faith.  During World War II Anna became one of the Jehovah Witnesses and Bernard soon after.  They took their sons to the meetings that were held in rented places which began to be called Kingdom Halls, until the South Congregation built their own Kingdom Hall on Oak St. in downtown Rockford in the 1940’s when World War II was still going on.  

In 1949, Hubert was baptized when he was 13 years old as one of Jehovah’s Witness.  It was during a District Assembly being held in Rockford.  A baptismal “pool” was set up for the occasion in the entrance of the Oak St. Kingdom Hall.  The “pool” was a water tank for cattle converted to be used as a baptismal tank.  Hubert married Carla Gould of Rochelle, IL on July 16, 1960.  They lived in Rochelle for 26 years, raising 3 children; Joel was born in 1963, Susan in 1965, and Terri in 1966.  This was during the time the Rochelle congregation was formed and quickly grew to a thriving congregation with started out meeting in a home, then rented room above a downtown bank, then in the early 70’s the congregation purchased a house they remodeled into a Kingdom Hall.  Then later built their own Hall in a subdivision. (Now Rochelle has a Kingdom built in 1989 as a Regional Build.)

Hubert began working at Barber Coleman in the 1950’s and retired from Sundstrand/Suntec in 1993.

Hubert is survived by his children, Joel and Susan.  Daughter, Terri died in 2011 at age 45.  There are 6 grandchildren: Brandin, Jillyn, Adam, Brittny, Josie and Noah and 1 great grandchild: Sven, son of Brandin and Brittany Rees, who are a part of the Sycamore congregation.  He is preceded in death by his daughter, Terri, brother, Bernard and parents, Bernard and Anna.

Over the years Hubert and Carla enjoyed being involved in the Regional Building work with the Jehovah's Witnesses.  They also enjoyed traveling to conventions, visits to relatives in Iowa, Colorado, Florida, Las Vegas Nevada, Toronto Canada.

Recently Hubert did a lot of traveling the world by means of Television.  As the Psalmist David said ‘the heavens belong to Jehovah but he has given the earth to the sons of men.’ (P 115 verse 16) 

Hubert said getting to learn about countries throughout the world was “cheaper, easier and educational!” Hubert’s best quality was his loyalty; he was loyal to his family, friends and most of all, Jehovah.

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