Donald Oran Niffenegger

Donald Oran Niffenegger, 63, of Cherry Valley, passed away on March 21, 2015 in his home while watching a basketball game with his wife and daughter. Don fought a hard courageous 21 month battle with cancer determined to beat it. He was born in Rockford on February 23, 1952; son of Glen and Mary Niffenegger. He married his wife, Francie on October 19, 1979 in Rockton. Don graduated from Harlem High and attended Rock Valley College. He became a Purchasing Agent for J.D.Mott/Thrall/Ferguson for twenty years. He was currently employed as a buyer for Joe Cooling and Sons. Don loved to watch football games especially attending the Univ. of Wisconsin games with his daughter. He was especially proud of his yard and enjoyed working in it, he also enjoyed his vegetable garden, golfing and spending time in Wisconsin on Pleasant Lake.
Don is survived by his wife, Francie and his beloved daughter, Courtney; brother, Bob; sisters, Julia (Steve) Ortland, Barb (Denis) Funk and Kim (Fred) Hasse; sister-in-law, Mary (Mike) McGuire and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Ken & Virginia Sullivan and sister-in-law, Brenda. A special thank you to Dr. Korkmaz, the nurses and staff at OSF St. Anthony Cancer Center for making Mondays more bearable.
Memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2014 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to OSF St. Anthony Cancer Center, 5666 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61108 or Macktown Golf Course, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, IL 61072. To express condolences and share memories online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com