Ronald "Ted" Theadore Farrey, Sr.

Ronald “Ted” Theadore Farrey, Sr., 84, of rural Savanna, Illinois, passed away at Big Meadows Nursing Home, on September 22, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Hanover, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until noon prior to the service. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Hanover.

Ted was born December 4, 1941, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Melvin and Lucille (Bishell) Farrey. He grew up in Hanover and attended Hanover schools. On July 14, 1961, Ted married Janet Johnson, and together they built a life centered around family, the outdoors, and making memories. They were blessed with five children.

Ted began his working career at the hardware store in Hanover, working for Roger Sullivan. He later began a long career with Atwood, which eventually became Dura, where he worked until his retirement in 2001.

Ted loved the outdoors and spent much of his life enjoying the things he loved most; hunting, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family. He had a particular love for the Mississippi River and spent countless hours fishing its waters. He also enjoyed fishing at Apple Canyon Lake and looked forward to fishing trips to Canada.

Many of Ted’s favorite memories were made on family camping trips. Nearly every weekend, he and Janet would load up the family and head out camping, giving Ted plenty of opportunities to fish while creating special memories together. Their camping adventures took them throughout the local area and even as far as Texas and Alabama.

Ted was also an accomplished trap shooter, earning trophies throughout the years. He enjoyed hunting and was always happy to head into the woods in search of morel mushrooms. Whether he was sitting beside a campfire, fishing on the river, hunting, or simply enjoying the outdoors, Ted was happiest outside.

Ted and Janet also enjoyed traveling together and made many trips over the years. At home, he enjoyed watching NASCAR and was especially fond of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Ted will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, his passion for fishing and hunting, his enjoyment of camping and travel, and most of all, the time he spent with Janet and their family.

He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Janet; sons, Melvin (Denice) Farrey, of Galena, IL and Ronald (Barbara) Farrey, Jr., of Lena, IL; daughter, Julie (Bruce) Marcure, of Stockton, IL; grandsons, Douglas Farrey, Ronald (Bonnie) Farrey, and Joshua (Wendi) Farrey; granddaughter, Alecia (Jon) Schultz; great-granddaughters, Stephanie Farrey and Edna Richardson; brothers, Larry Farrey, Robert (Jan) Farrey, David Farrey, and Roger Farrey; sister, Janet (Jim) Giles; brothers-in-law, Larry (Heidi) Johnson and Wayne Leonard; sisters-in-law, Karen Ranchino, Judy Wheeler, and Kathy Johnson; special fishing buddies Kenny Rodda and Greg Smith.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Lucille; son, Todd Farrey; daughter, Brenda Farrey; brother, Gene (Jean) Farrey; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sherman and Muriel Johnson; brothers-in-law, Edwin “Buddy” Johnson, Lou Ranchino, and Bob Wheeler; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Farrey, Barbara Leonard, and Betty Farrey.