David (Whitey) C. Sondgeroth, 84, of Mendota, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on July 23, 2023, at OSF St. Anthony, Rockford.

The rosary will be said Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM with visitation from 11 AM-1 PM at the Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota. Funeral services will directly follow with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. The Rev. Jeffery Windy will officiate. Full military honors will be conducted by Mendota V.F.W. #4079.

David was born November 12, 1938, in Mendota to Charles and Katherine (Walzer) Sondgeroth.

As a youth, he mowed cemetery property, set bowling pins, and worked on Waldorf farms before starting at H.K Whipple Excavating. While working for H.K Whipple, he met, then married, the love of his life, Joanne Christine Whipple, on August 26, 1961, in Mendota. He was drafted into the United States Army soon after and served honorably until his discharge December 1963. Following his time in the service, David resumed with H.K. Whipple, followed by hauling steel cross-country for Motor Wheel, then working locally for Reliable and Whittaker Excavating. David was a lifelong Teamster Local 722 member with a career in the trucking industry spanning over 50 years.

David was a skilled bowler, loved pitching horseshoes, and was an avid fisherman. Perhaps most notable was David's annual fish fry. A highly popular tradition that brought friends, family, and ​community together for many years. David was lifelong member of the Mendota Elks Lodge#1212, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4079, Mendota Moose Lodge and was a devoted lifetime member of Holy Cross Church.

David is survived by his wife Joanne of 63 years, two daughters, Patty (Larry : deceased) Noles of Mendota, Chris (Steve) Finley of Utica, one son Charles (Shannon) Sondgeroth of Killeen, TX, six grandchildren Amber Badgett, Andrea (Corey) Freisz, Alexis (Andrew) Barnes, Sarah (Tiffany) Goetz, Rachel (Siddhanth) Paralkar and Rebecca Sondgeroth and three great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

He was preceded in death by four brothers: Lester, Robert, Gene, and Clifford Sondgeroth; three sisters: Bernice Corrigan, Rita Miller, and Pearl Blair; his parents and stepfather. Pallbearers include John Sondgeroth, Dru Sondgeroth, Warren Bauer, David Kilanowski Jr., Jeff Spanier, and Tom Corrigan. Honorary Pallbearers include Roger Weitzel, David Kern, Denny Roling, and Steve Finley.

Direct memorials to: Mendota Area Senior Services or Holy  Cross Church.