Victor Schoonover

Victor Duane Schoonover, 48, of Rockford, passed away on February 4, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was born on November 3, 1977, in Beloit, WI; the son of Clark and Alice (Koch) Schoonover.

Victor graduated from South Beloit High School in 1995. In high school, he spearheaded a recycling program and a newspaper specifically for the students. He graduated from Beloit College in 1999 with a degree in creative writing and journalism. While attending Beloit College, Victor was involved with the college newspaper and had a radio show on WBCR. Following graduation Victor moved to Chicago and worked for Americorps Vista where he set up programs in the Pullman District, starting daycares, working with the elderly, and providing computer labs. He came back to the Rockford area and taught at West and Lincoln Middle Schools teaching English as a second language.

Victor married Jennifer Wilz on November 7, 2009, at the Olympia Brown Unitarian Church in Racine, WI. They were both committed to education and the environment. They ran their own business together, Huntington Learning Center, where he helped with both teaching and marketing. Victor travelled to Japan where he taught English for 2 years, which Jennifer also had done. They shared a love of Japanese culture that they passed on to their son, Henry. They brought back new traditions from Japan, such as making Japanese hot pot by the fireplace to celebrate the New Year. They shared the love of travel, going to Ireland and Belgium, hiking Mt. Shasta together in California, and driving to Florida to explore the gulf coast. As a family, they enjoyed reading, cooking, camping, and hiking together.

He was a very devoted father and was involved with his son Henry’s activities and interests. He volunteered at both Thurgood Marshall and Auburn High School with band and track.

Victor was on the board for the North End Square Neighborhood Association. He liked to keep his neighborhood clean and would take it upon himself to walk around and pick up around his home and surroundings. He loved to spend time in nature going on hikes and walks in local forest preserves and state parks with his family. If not outdoors on foot you would find Victor riding his bike.

Victor had many talents. He could talk to anyone, whether it was drumming up business or having a conversation with a stranger. He was an artist. He showed his paintings at art shows, including Art Scene. His family is blessed to have his paintings, including his self-portrait. He had some special moves while dancing that earned the name the “Vic Kick”. He was the “lead singer” of the legendary and infamous rock band, Nosotros. Victor enjoyed writing and filled many journals. You would never know it to look at him, but Victor loved food. He loved stealing food from his family’s plates and would take their leftovers to make sure they didn’t go to waste. Victor was one of a kind and he will be missed.

Survivors include his wife Jennifer Wilz and son Henry Schoonover; mother Alice Schoonover; brother Brent (Nicole) Schoonover; mother-in-law Stephanie (Ed) Lazzeroni; sister and brother-in-law Kathryn (Jason) Reimer and Erich Wilz; nieces Josie and Millie Schoonover, and Zella Reimer; and special friend Flora “Floma” Lippitt. He is predeceased by his father Clark Schoonover and father-in-law Donald Wilz.

The Schoonover family would like to sincerely express their gratitude for everyone that helped and donated for Victor’s benefit and his GoFundMe page. Your generosity did not go unnoticed. At Victor and Jennifer’s wedding they played the song “Sunny Side of Life” and that song perfectly described Victor’s outlook on life.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2-4 pm, Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, IL 61080. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com