Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Douglas P. McNames

Douglas P. McNames

September 29, 2025

Douglas Paul McNames passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, with Dan and Linda by his side, following a long and courageous battle with illness. He fought with quiet strength, always hoping for better days, and never gave up easily.

Doug was born on February 18, 1949, in Rockford, Illinois, to Robert and Blanche (Stull) McNames. He is survived by his...

Joyce Ann Kai

Joyce Ann Kai

September 29, 2025

Joyce Ann Kai, 82, of Rockford passed away September 29, 2025. Born April 6, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Clyde A. and Julia A. (Potter) Rush. She married Paul James Kai on April 6, 1963. She was employed as a beautician for many years working out of her home and later at Alma Nelson Nursing Home. After retiring,...

Aaron Byars Richeson

Aaron Byars Richeson

September 29, 2025

Aaron Byars Richeson, 81, passed away in Loves Park, Illinois on September 29, 2025. He was born in Childersburg, Alabama on June 18, 1944, son to Ralph and Pearl (Hendrix) Richeson. When Aaron was young his family moved to Rockford, where he would attend East High School, class of 1962, and meet his forever high school sweetheart, Trudy Penn. They...

James "Jim" H. McCammond

James "Jim" H. McCammond

September 29, 2025

James Harry McCammond, 87, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, September 29, 2025, peacefully in his sleep, with those at his side who knew him best at home after a long illness. Jim was born in Rockford, IL on April 14, 1938 to Harry James and Lois Euberta (Knott) McCammond and was a graduate from Stillman Valley High School, the...

Rev. Kenneth J. Stachyra

Rev. Kenneth J. Stachyra

September 27, 2025

Reverend Kenneth J. Stachyra, 75, died on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Rockford.

Father was born on August 3, 1950, in Chicago to Chester and Josephine (Sadley) Stachyra. Father attended Niles College of Loyola University, Chicago (1968-1972). Father attended Seminary at Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, WI (1997-2001).

Father Stachyra was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2001, by...

Melanie J. Fazio

Melanie J. Fazio

September 26, 2025

Melanie J. Fazio, 76, passed away on September 26, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in Mobile, Alabama on November 16, 1948, daughter to William and Virginia (Cascio) Fazio. Melanie grew up in Rockford, IL, where she would go on to graduate from Boylan Catholic High School, class of 1966. She then attended Rockford College, graduating with a bachelor’s...

Thomas "Tom" J. Casey

Thomas "Tom" J. Casey

September 26, 2025

Thomas Joseph Casey, 75, of Rockford, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. Born June 27, 1950, to Marijule (Bombard) and James Casey in Belvidere, IL. He attended St. James Catholic and public schools in Belvidere. Tom had many adventures as a young adult; working on a fishing boat in Alaska, in the oil fields in Montana, and owned his own...

Roderick B. Leezer

Roderick B. Leezer

September 25, 2025

Roderick B. Leezer, 77, Rockford, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He was born in Rockford on April 7, 1948, the son of Rod and Beverly (Greenberg) Leezer. Rod proudly served in the Marine Corps Reserves before earning his bachelor’s degree in Business from Northern Illinois University in 1972. On February 2, 1974, he married the...

Eugene "Gino" LaRosa

Eugene "Gino" LaRosa

September 24, 2025

Eugene “Gino” LaRosa, 79, of Cherry Valley, IL, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. 

Friends and family are invited to a memorial visitation at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Born in Rockford, IL on January 2, 1946, Gino graduated from West High School and...

Dorothy Ann Powell

Dorothy Ann Powell

September 23, 2025

Dorothy Ann Powell, 85, passed away unexpectedly on September 23, 2025. She was born in Le Mars, Iowa, on April 12, 1940 to Floyd Powell and Bernice (Ames) Powell. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with a B.A. in Business Education, and later earned a Masters degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder,...

Cynthia "Cindy" A. Aylward

Cynthia "Cindy" A. Aylward

September 23, 2025

Cynthia A. “Cindy” Aylward, 76, Rockford, died peacefully in her home on Monday, September 23, 2025. Born December 24, 1948 in Joliet, daughter of Lawrence and Naomi Apgar Ross. Graduated from Creston High School in Grand Rapids, MI. She and Rick Aylward were married in Rockford on July 3, 1981. Cindy worked in retail jewelry for over 30 years. She...

John J. Elfverson

John J. Elfverson

September 23, 2025

John Elfverson, 73, of Rockford, passed away on September 23, 2025. He was born on September 15, 1952, in Rockford, the son of Elmer and Evelyn Elfverson. 

Cremation Rites have been accorded. No services will be held. 

Lynell Esmeralda Perez Saucedo

Lynell Esmeralda Perez Saucedo

September 22, 2025

Lynell Esmeralda Pérez Saucedo, 24, of Rockford, IL has spread her wings on Sept 22, 2025. She was a beautiful, radiant, tenderhearted princess that will be missed by all her loved ones.

This princess was born on May 18, 2001 to Ernesto Perez Hernandez and Laura Saucedo De Perez. She was one of four children, a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and...

Dr. Arnold R. Tammes

Dr. Arnold R. Tammes

September 22, 2025

Dr. Arnold Richard Tammes (“Art”), a dedicated physician, beloved mentor, cherished friend, and treasured father and grandfather, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Rockford IL, after a long battle with cancer. The son of Ben and Jean (Van Der Laan) Tammes, he was born on September 17, 1928, in Sheldon, Iowa. He married Sally (Blackmer) Tammes on October...

Everleigh Elowen Pearl Bressler

Everleigh Elowen Pearl Bressler

September 21, 2025

Baby girl, Everleigh Elowen Pearl Bressler, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Everleigh was born on July 27, 2025, in Rockford, the precious daughter of Lucas Bressler and Deanna Finzel.

Everleigh was a beautiful, calm, cuddly baby who loved to snuggle into her parents’ arms. She was adored by her big brother Oliver, and she was teaching her toddler sister Annabelle...

Douglas Erwin

Douglas Erwin

September 19, 2025

Douglas “Doug” W. Erwin, 66, of Edgerton, WI, passed away on September 19, 2025. He was born on April 8, 1959, in Hillsboro, Illinois, the son of Charles Ray and Mary (Foster) Erwin. He graduated from Belvidere High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as an IT Technical Service Specialist for DWD CPS with the state...

Barbara J. Crowell

Barbara J. Crowell

September 19, 2025

Barbara J. Crowell, 93, Rockford, died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, on Friday, September 19, 2025 in her home. Born November 4, 1932 in Rockford, daughter of James Kail and Nell Rogers. Married Robert Crowell in Rockford on August 8, 1964. He died November 15, 2009. She worked at Amerock for many years and then American Greeting Cards. Barbara...

Lucille "Lucy" E. Burd

Lucille "Lucy" E. Burd

September 18, 2025

Lucille “Lucy” E. Burd, 86, Machesney Park, passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Madison, WI. She was born on February 6, 1939, the daughter of Ralph and Mary (Sallee) Luxton. She married her first husband, David Genin, in August of 1960 and remained married until his passing in December of 1987. She later married James Burd in July...

Kathryn "Kay" L. Forsen

Kathryn "Kay" L. Forsen

September 17, 2025

Kathryn “Kay” Lois Forsen, 87, of Rockford, passed away on September 17, 2025, at her home. She was born on December 28, 1937, in Rockford, the daughter of Alvin and Mabel (Broman) Kjell. She earned an associate degree from North Park College and a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University. She taught at Whitehead Elementary School for 30 plus years.

Bill...