"Rocky was endeared by all of us at the Moose Lodge in Palm Harbor, FL. We loved his wit, his candor and his stories. We admired his love of family and the gentleness of reaching out to friends. He had a heart of gold. Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. "
In loving memory of
Rodney 'Rocky' Svoboda
September 7, 1948 - September 19, 2017
RODNEY 'ROCKY' SVOBODA
NEW BOSTON, Illinois - Rodney F. 'Rocky' Svoboda, 69, of New Boston, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at his home.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, Muscatine, Iowa. Pallbearers will be Robert, Paul, and Rick Svoboda, Todd Robinson, Larry Ackerman, and Terry Elloitt. Honorary Bearers include Jerry Steinman, Brad Vipond, Jack Williams, David 'Buster' Etter, Jeremy Flaherty, and Scott Callear. Burial will be at the Rock Island Arsenal. A time of food and fellowship will take place after the burial at Rocky's home. Visitation will be from 2 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Rocky was born on September 7, 1948, in Muscatine, the son of Clarence and June Klebe Svoboda. His first marriage was to Jackie Poffenbarger on July 28, 1973 and later married Allie Hall Callear on July 17, 1993. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2004.
He owned and operated Rocky's Heating and Cooling and retired in 2005. Rocky was a Navy Corpsman and was awarded three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.
Rocky enjoyed fishing, boating, playing cards, and meeting with 'the boys'.
Rocky is survived by his children; Robert Svoboda and wife, Amy, of Joy, Illinois, Paul Svoboda and wife, Cara, of Aledo, Illinois, Rick Svoboda and wife, Jamie, of Auburn, Iowa, Scott Callear and wife, Patty, of Blue Grass, Iowa, and Jenny Flaherty and husband, Jeremy, of Andover, Illinois; many grandchildren; his mother, June Svoboda, of Illinois City, Illinois; one brother, Jess Svoboda and wife, Denise, of Illinois City; four sisters, Diana Ritter and husband, Carl, Karen Robinson, Linda Svoboda and Cathy, of Illinois City, and Kelley Riley and husband, Ted, of St. Paul; and his companion, Nancy Earl, of Joy.
He is preceded in death by his father and his wife, Allie.
Tributes
"Our thoughts are with all of Rocky's family, what a great guy! He will be missed by all who knew him."
"all of my memories of Rocky, are from the many summers we spent together as teenagers on the farm. the Svoboda family took me in and treated me as a son, and as a brother. I'll never forget those days, they were a guiding light toward my future. rest in peace Rocky, you were a great friend, I'll never forget you. brother Tom."
"We will miss Rocky, and we continue to miss Clarence. Our family has been blessed to be friends with the Svoboda Family for a long, long time. Friendships like this never change no matter the time or distance. Rocky was a very close friend of my Uncle John, and I was lucky to be able to tag along with them as a boy. Uncle John and Rocky entered the Vietnam War at about the same time, and we all are sure proud of their service. Rocky brought a lot of laughs around my grandparents (Jim & Edna) kitchen table too. He always gave me a warm embrace and advice. Many fond memories. On behalf of my grandparents, my Uncle, my parents, cousins and our whole family, I send our warmest thoughts, prayers, and love. A special hug for June. J.D. Weir"
"It has been many years since I have seen or talked to Rocky but I still have good memories of a really good man. To the Svoboda family I am sorry for your loss."
"So sorry for your loss. "
"So sad to lose our friend, prayers for his fsmily"
"June, Diana, and family, So very sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Judy"
"My deepest sympathy goes out to family. I remember over 50 years of memories of Rocky growing up together. Where you found one of us the other was close by. Both of us usually in trouble . T. Although distance separated us the last few years we always laughed and told stories when back together. Rocky will always hold a special place in my memories. Rest In Peace Pal, I'll miss you!"
"My sympathies go out to Rocky's family and friends. May your memories together ease thus sad time."
"My deepest condolences to the family. I came to know Rocky pretty well due to my Aunt, Nancy Earl. He was always so sweet when he would visit. He will be missed dearly"
"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers."
"So sorry for your loss."