Jennifer L. Mercaitis

Jennifer Lynn Mercaitis, 24 of Rockford died Monday, April 22, 2013 at Rockford Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Born Wednesday, April 27, 1988 at Swedish American Hospital to Shantel Dummer and Dave Mercaitis. Graduated from Harlem High School and began working for various retail stores, most recently Target in Machesney Park and was currently employed by Road Ranger at the station on 173. Her smile was contagious, her laughter abundant and her 3 beautiful children always tugging at her side. She was famously known to always be on her Facebook page and if you needed to contact her or just check in, she was there. Jennifer was a loving mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend, she will be missed dearly by everyone who had the privilege to know her and love her.

Survivors include her children, Candice Wallace, Connor and Caylie Rothenberger; mother, Shantel (Mark) Grulke; father, Dave Mercaitis; brothers, Troy and Taylor Grulke; half sister, Makayla Mercaitis and a host of additional family and special friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Noon at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside chapel 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a visitation from 10-12 p.m. The celebration will continue at Shantel and Mark's home in Rockton after the service. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family.

The family will be releasing her birthday balloons after the service at the funeral home, if you wish to bring a special balloon to release, please do so.