Victor C. Rochelle 1918-2012

Victor C. Rochelle, 93, Normal, died at on June 23, 2012 at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal.

He was born Nov. 4, 1918, in El Reno, Okla., the son of Floyd Emerson and Goldie Opal Dunbar Rochelle. He married Patricia Leary on March 20, 1964, in Chicago. She survives.

Vic served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Jet during World War II and continued his service in the reserves for 16 years, retiring as a commander. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was active with the swim team and glee club. He earned his law degree at Columbia University School of Law, New York, and first practiced law in McAllen, Texas. Vic was later a lawyer for Country Companies in Chicago and Bloomington for 40 years. He was a member of the Elks, American Legion, McLean County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and the Texas Bar Association. He was also selected for membership in the International Association of Insurance Counsel and listed in Who’s Who in American Law.

Vic loved to read, swim, travel and follow sports, especially Illinois Wesleyan University Titans basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Dallas Cowboys football. He moved to Texas at the age of 5 and always considered himself a Texan.

Also surviving are his children, Vickie Rochelle and Margo Rochelle, both of Tucson, Ariz.; Ann (Jeff) Norris, Overland Park, Kan.; and Raquel Rochelle, Chicago; six grandchildren, Andrea (Erik) Fluegel, Jean Hidalgo, Caitlin (T.J.) Canann, Evan Dunn and Zach and Sean Norris; and six great-grandchildren, Alex, Natalie, Nicholas, Julian, Adrian and Sheldon.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Rochelle; and one grandson, Andrew Dunn.

His family would like to thank the staff of McLean County Nursing Home for the wonderful care they provided to Vic.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate Children’s Hospital of Illinois, Peoria.