Belvidere, IL

Carol Jean Newport of Belvidere died December 5, 2017 at Wesley Willows Health Center in Rockford after a six-year battle with cancer.  She was born April 17, 1938 to Rollin and Arlene (Schwebke) Leonard in Belvidere.  Raised in Belvidere, she was valedictorian of her class at Belvidere High School.  She graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a degree in Business Education.  She married Maxwell Newport in Belvidere on September 17, 1960. She taught at Hampton, NH High School while her husband was serving there in the Air Force.  She and her husband then returned to Belvidere and farmed north of Belvidere until his retirement.  After her children were grown, she worked at the law firm of Tobin and Ramon for twelve years, then worked for the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce.  She was baptized, confirmed, and married in First United Methodist Church of Belvidere.  A dedicated Christian, she held many of the major offices in the church, was active in United Methodist Women, and edited and composed the church newsletter.  She also was a delegate to Annual Conference of the Methodist Church and volunteered in the church office.  She was very active in the community, including Farm Bureau Women's Committee, Farm-City Festival, Homemakers Extension, Community Concert Association, Belvidere Panhellenic Society, Rockford Area Illini Club, Phi Mu Alumni, and School District #100 Advisory Committee.  In 1975 she was awarded the Doctor of Civic Betterment award by the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce for outstanding service to the community. She was known for her friendly smile and as a caring, giving, outgoing, compassionate person who cared for everyone she met.  Her spiritual depth gave her the strength and courage to accomplish many things and showed through in her many friendships. She is survived by her husband, children Curtis (Becky) Newport of Belvidere, Scott (Victoria) Newport of DeKalb, and Angela (Stuart) Bahling of Belvidere, grandchildren Curtis J., Max, Colton, Morgan, Torrie, Joey, and Riley, and two great-grandchildren. Also a sister Sharon (Jay) Corey, Uncle Ronald Schwebke, numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins.  She was predeceased by her parents.

Funeral service will be at First United Methodist Church in Belvidere on Monday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at the church on Sunday, December 10 from 2:30-5:30, and Monday from 10:00-10:45.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Belvidere or the Panhellenic Society of Belvidere. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.Andersonfcs.com.