MOUNT CARROLL—Karl Rafferty, 87, of Mount Carroll, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.
There was a visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service and Celebration of Life held at the Mount Carroll Church of God on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. The service was livestreamed on the Church of God Facebook page.
Karl was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mount Carroll. Flowers may be sent to Law Jones Funeral Home or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Karl Rafferty was born Dec. 13, 1935, to Harold and Laura (Arbogast) Rafferty in Freeport. Karl graduated from Freeport High School in 1954. That same year, he married Joan Jacobs who passed Jan. 31, 2000. In May 2001, Karl married Muriel Bundy.
Karl's early employment included Emmert's Drug, Keene Canning Co., and Burgess Battery Co. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1955 and served as a ski trooper in Alaska. Karl was a dedicated fireman, retiring after 30 years of service with the Freeport Fire Department.
Karl was very active in his church, having held several offices. He was involved in praise teams using his amazing voice to glorify God. He was the founder of the Glad Morning Gospel Singers and a former member of the Joy Singers. Karl loved to play the banjo, travel and motorcycling.
He is survived by his wife, Muriel; son, Michael (Diane) Rafferty; daughter, Laurie (Andrew) Ranstead; two stepsons, Duglas Roche and Brett (Mara) Roche. Karl had seven grandchildren: Shannon (Paul) Aldridge, Aaron (Megan) Rafferty, Megan (Jaren) Prothero, Kaleb Randstead, Kiah Ranstead, Breck Roche and Vann Roche. Karl was blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Mia, Liam and Landon Aldridge, Mason, Aedron, and Amelia Rafferty, and Madison and Elora Prothero.
Karl was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
