ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — A man and wife who were married for more than seven decades died hours apart this week at a hospice in northern Illinois.
Family members say Robert and Nora Viands were always together during their 71 years of marriage. Their son calls their deaths — 16 hours apart at a Rockford retirement center— a “blessing” because each would have been heartbroken without the other.
The Rockford Register Star reports that Robert Viands, 92, died around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Nora Viands died at 4:45 p.m. She was hospitalized with pneumonia in December.
A joint funeral will be held Sunday.
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