Randolph Richard Farney, 73, passed away Friday, February 21, 2025. He was born on February 10, 1952, in Rockford, Ill., to Richard Alvin and LaVona Natalie (Peterson) Farney. He graduated from Guilford High School in 1970 and from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Randy married Patricia Jeanne Harness on June 14, 1975 in Montgomery City. He was always glad to be in Montgomery City, where he was known as “Rockford Randy” at the coffee shop. Montgomery County was one of his favorite places for visiting, hunting or fishing.
He teamed up with his father to operate Farney’s Amoco service station on State and Fairview for many years. In 2006, he joined the staff at the Automotive Service Technology program at Rock Valley College, retiring in 2019. He was a certified member of the Automotive Service Association throughout his career.
Randy was interested in history, hunting, shooting sports, black powder reenacting, conservation efforts and reading. This was reflected in his affiliation and volunteer work with Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Rockford Skeet and Trap and Rock Run Long Rifles. He was also a Cub/Boy Scout Leader and played in a Park District softball league for many years. He was also a regular blood donor, surpassing eight gallons. He will be missed by the many friends he made while pursuing his interests. His family and customers recognized his diagnostic and mechanical skills and he could repair almost any broken object.
He will be greatly missed by his family.
Randy is survived by his wife Pat; his children Katy (James) Hogan and Leif (Tabby) Farney; grandchildren, Freya Alice and Vivian Leslie Farney; mother, LaVona Farney; sisters, Debra (Steve) Anderson and Laura (Mike) Arrington; brothers-in-law, Eric Harness and Randy Harness; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Richard (1997); his paternal grandparents, Alvin and Ann Farney, and his maternal grandparents, LaVern and Alie Peterson.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave. in Rockford. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Rockford Public Library, Rock Valley College Foundation for a scholarship for the Automotive Technology Program or to an organization of your choice. To share a memory or condolence, please visit oslonfh.com.
