Samuel D. Whitney, Jr., 89, of Rockford, formerly of Belvidere, died in his home on Monday, June 10, 2013. Born December 4, 1923 in Rockford; son of Samuel D. and Bertha (Hood) Whitney, Sr. Married Irene E. Scott on December 11, 1948 in Belvidere; she died October 29, 2009. Served in the US Army during WWII. He arrived on Normandy Beach on June 7, 1944, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and drove the first truck over the Remagen Bridge. He was appointed Belvidere Postmaster December of 1969, serving the postal service for over 30 years and had been secretary-treasurer for the Boone-McHenry County Postmasters Association. After retiring, he drove school bus for the Belvidere School District. Member of First United Methodist Church, Boone County Gardeners of America, was on the IDA Library Board, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, and delivered Meals on Wheels for Lifescape.Survivors include his daughter Cathy J. (Jay) Trost of Rockford; sons Curtis S. (Kathleen) Whitney of Rochelle, Stuart D. (Sarah) Whitney of Rockford; granddaughters Shannon Whitney (Rohit) Sirur of Pune, India, Erika J. (Michael) Long of Naperville, Kelly J. Whitney of Boulder, CO, Kayla C. (Ian Kudingo) Whitney of Rockford; grandson Jeffrey C. Trost of Evanston; great-grandchildren Siddharth Whitney, Ashwini Angara, Kendallyn Irene, and Stella Margaret; brothers Robert (Cora) Whitney, Lorenzo (Joan) Whitney; sister Nan (Ferris) Tindell; sister-in-law Barbara Whitney; several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, wife Irene, and brother Ronald Whitney.

Memorials may be given to the Boone County Gardeners of America, 8712 Sheffield Drive, Belvidere, IL 61008, or to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607.