WAYNE E. CARLSON, 67 ROCKFORD – Wayne E. Carlson, 67, of Rockford died at 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. Born Nov. 30, 1943, in Rockford; the son of Reuben and Mable (Nygren) Carlson. Attended East High School. Served in the U.S. Navy, where he was part of the blockade in the Cuban missile crisis. Married Carol Price on Sept. 23, 1995, in Las Vegas. Wayne was a firefighter for the Rockford Fire Department from 1966 to 1994; also worked for Drive Right School of Driving and Septran. Member of the Rockford Retired Firefighters Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and gambling, especially craps. Survived by wife, Carol; children, Michael A. (Cynthia) Carlson, Douglas W. (Deana) Carlson and Douglas D. (Lan) Price; grandchildren, Kim, Jessica, Rebecca and Amanda Carlson, and Andrea (Josh) Carlson-Beilfuss; great-grandchildren, Riley, Geno and Aden; mother, Mable; brothers, Ron (Karin) Carlson and John (Sherrie) Carlson; aunt, Doris Noreen; and several cousins. Predeceased by father, Reuben, and grandson, Jake Carlson.