Rosita "Rose" Rodriguez, 59, of Mendota was granted her angel wings on Friday December 6, 2019 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Rose had touched in some special way throughout her short, yet very memorable life. Rose's life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quality of time which one lives.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. A memorial service will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be private.

Rose was born September 28,1960 in Pampa, Texas.

Rose worked at Motor Wheel in Mendota for 18 years as a machine operator. She enjoyed spending time outdoors with her family. She loved being a grandmother and an aunt. She liked to explore nature and she enjoyed being a big kid herself. Her laughter was contagious and her beautiful spirit captured many hearts. Although her words of wisdom will never again be heard, in our hearts we will always listen, because with love we do not need words. Now she is free as a bird.

Survivors include her step father Terry Wentz; beloved son Michael Rodriguez; loving sisters Stella Gomez Melby and Grace (Stefen Peterson) Gomez Thompson; loving brothers David (Christine) Gomez and Mark Rodriguez, stepsisters Shelley Wentz and Kelly Wentz Lundgren; two grandchildren, three nieces, and seven nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Manuel Rodriguez and her mother, Grace (Morales) Wentz, sister, JoAnne, brother, Manuel, and aunt Raquel Vincent.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.