David L. Giffrow

David Lee Giffrow 1930 - 2018. David Lee Giffrow, Freeport, passed away at Stephenson Nursing Center on Saturday, September 8, 2018, surrounded by his family. David was born November 4, 1930, to Allan and Frances (Eatinger) Giffrow in Sterling. He attended Sterling schools and at the age of 17, he joined the US Army Air Force, and was discharged just prior to the onset of the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to Dixon, IL, home of his parents, and worked in retail sales for a while. In 1957 he accepted a job with Freeport Journal Standard as a pressman. In the early 1970s, he and four other employees of the paper became partners, forming Freeport Press, which continued printing The Weekender after the newspaper discontinued it, and did commercial printing. Dave was an avid fan of all Chicago pro sports teams, and loved fishing. He preferred wherever the walleyes hung out, but enjoyed taking his boat on the Mississippi just as well. He belonged to several local bowling leagues in the past. Dave was a member of the local Aerie of F.O.E. for over 30 years, and a former member of the Germania Club. He was a serious lover of jazz and swing music, and would occasionally sit in with bands to take a few riffs on the skins at the old Eastwood where he was a part time bar tender. On September 27, 1985, David married the former Maureen (Sue) Busch nee McDermott in Freeport. Together, they became involved in Forest City Jazz Club in Rockford, and Catfish Jazz Club of the Quad Cities. They traveled to many jazz concerts and fests around the country, enjoying the traveling and exploring tbe various states. David is survived by his wife, Sue, and four children: Gregg Giffrow of Freeport, Debbie (George) Bright, of Stillman Valley, Chris (Carol) Giffrow, of Two Harbors, MN and Karen (Mark) Sopcic of Freeport; 8 grandchildren: Matthew (Jackie) Sopcic, Lauren (David) Rigby, Neal Sopcic, Michael Bright, Sara Bright, Jessie Bright, Melissa Giffrow and Karen Ann Reynolds, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by five step-children; Charles Busch, Dianna (Colin) Carey, Sharie (Jeff Revels) Duarte, Timothy (Danielle) Busch and Mary (Craig Jones) Oswalt, as well as eleven step-grandchildren and eight step great- grandchildren. David's brother, Thomas (Janice) Giffrow of Brownsville, TX, also survives. He is predeceased by his parents and brother, Charles, in infancy. The family sincerely thanks all of David's care givers at Stephenson Nursing Center and all members of FHN Hospice Unit for the wonderfully loving care shown to our loved one (and us). Services will be held at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, on Thursday, September 13, 2018, with visitation starting at 11 A.M. until start of funeral service at 1 P.M., the Rev. Kenneth Anderson officiating. Burial will follow, with a short service at Oakland Cemetery in the chapel. A luncheon will immediately follow services at the Eagle Club on West Galena Ave. in Freeport. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.