Carmen F. "Carmie" Kellogg

Carmen F. “Carmie" (Geison) Kellogg, 82, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Savanna, IL passed away at home on Monday, April 11, 2022 after an extended illness.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until time of funeral service at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Final resting place will conclude in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Those unable to attend services may join via Zoom with meeting ID: 886 6084 5757 Password: 1234

She was born in Freeport, IL on December 24, 1939, daughter of Homer and Phyllis Geison, formerly of Savanna, IL. Carmie grew up in Savanna and graduated from Savanna Community High School in 1957. She worked her way through college earning a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for excellence in education.

She began her teaching career in Rockford, IL in 1961 at Kishwaukee Elementary School, teaching 2nd grade for 10 years. She then taught at Beyer Elementary School for 28 years and was later a substitute teacher for 2 years all in the Rockford area. She loved teaching and was very honored when she was chosen “Elementary Teacher of the Year” in 1990 for “Those Who Excel” for her work with elementary students in the Rockford District. She retired in 1999 and was always so thrilled whenever she had the privilege of “running into” her former students.

She was a frequent contributor to food pantries and animal charities as well as the Savanna Historical Society. She was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and donated to their orphanages. She also helped raise a child in Africa (Melisha) for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion and Blackhawk Club of Rockford. She loved her family and was close to all of her siblings and nieces and nephews. She enjoyed her extended family of many cousins in the South and North. She also enjoyed her many special friends in Savanna, Rockford and Florida. She was a pet lover and her dog, Faith was her awesome companion for many years.

In honor of her love of animals, memorials may be made to the animal charities ASPCA, Carroll County Animal Control, 10735 Mill Rd, Mount Carroll Historic District, IL 61053 and the Dementia Society of America.

She had a fun and outgoing personality: “Carmie talked to everybody!” There were those that said she was the “life of the party.” With a hat and a smile, she could be, but she was a lot more than that. She was a phenomenal teacher. Having come from humble beginnings herself, she had a special bond with kids. Long before it was commonplace, she brought nourishing food and breakfast for them so they could learn more effectively. Carmie was kind and she had a generous spirit. She was a “Special Spark” who will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank Carmie’s caregivers from Home Instead for their kindness, care and compassion.

Those left to honor Carmen’s memory include her husband, Donald Kellogg of Rockford, IL; sister, Rita Huizenga of Rock Island, IL; 2 brothers, Stan (Martha) Geison of Bloomington, IL and Gordon (Judy) Geison of Cibolo, TX. She is predeceased by her parents; 2 brothers, Gerry and Roger and a very special nephew, Jade Huizenga.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com