Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
Grant E. Colehour
January 11, 2026
Grant Edward Colehour ran the race that God had marked for him. He went to his heavenly home on January 11, 2026, at the age of 79 after a brave fight with cancer. Grant was predeceased by parents, Woody and Mae, and brother, Chuck Colehour. He graduated from Guilford High School in 1965 and Eastern Kentucky University in 1969.
Grant was...
John Robert Danis
January 10, 2026
John Robert Danis, 67, of Belvidere, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
John was born on November 6, 1958, in Detroit, MI, the son of Bernard “Barney” and Rose (Catanese) Danis. He graduated from Guilford High School and went to work right away for his father’s business. John became the proud president and owner of Absolute Fire Protection and dedicated...
Josephine R. Matthews
January 10, 2026
Josephine R. (Cascio) Matthews, 95, of Rockford, passed away on January 10, 2026. She was born on May 5, 1930, in Sacramento, California, the daughter of Anthony and Rose (Pumilia) Cascio.
Known as Nana to many, she cherished her time spent with her family. She had a deep love for Jesus and found peace and strength in her faith. Josephine was...
Jody A. Goff
January 9, 2026
Jody Ann (Johnson) Goff, 76, passed away on January 9, 2026 at SwedishAmerican Hospital, Rockford, IL. Jody was born 1949 in Rockford to Howard and Barbara (McMarran) Johnson and graduated from Rockford East High School and Northern Illinois University, where she met her husband, Richard “Dick” Goff.
Jody enjoyed a long, successful career in communications as the United Way of Rock...
Michele Marie Forsell
January 9, 2026
Michele Marie Forsell, also affectionately known to some as “Punkie,” 67, passed away as husband was holding her hand on Friday, January 9, 2026, in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois. She was born on August 18, 1958, daughter to June Rose and George Gregory. Michele would go on to work in the manufacturing industry, starting at Elco Industries from 1976...
Carol Dianne Konecnik
January 8, 2026
Carol Dianne Konecnik, 82, passed away on January 8, 2026. She was born on October 16, 1943, the daughter of Lester Maxwell and Margaret Lockwood. She was married to the love of her life, Richard Robert Konecnik, on Valentine’s Day of 1971. Together they built a family and ran a family business.
Deeply devoted to her faith and a longtime member...
Ryan M. Heideman
January 5, 2026
Ryan Michael Heideman, 23, of Roscoe, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026. Born in Rockford, IL, on February 10, 2002, to Kevin and Melissa (Barber) Heideman. Ryan graduated from Hononegah High School in 2020. After finishing high school, he became a welder, which he enjoyed very much, working for MTL Manufacturing and Equipment.
Ryan was one of a kind, a...
Jean Niesman
January 4, 2026
Jean Niesman, 82, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away on January 4, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin after a complication from surgery. She was born on August 4, 1943, in Elmhurst, Illinois daughter to Norman and Betty (Grant) Pohley. Jean spent her working career as an assistant mortgage officer and later enjoyed volunteering with the Rockford Park District. In her personal life,...
Karen A. Owens
January 3, 2026
God called Karen A. Owens to her eternal Home in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. At the time she was in the ICU at U.W. Health Heart Hospital. She fell at home on Friday, January 2nd, hitting her head which caused internal bleeding in her brain.
The family would like to thank the Rockford Fire Department, the...
Eva Mae Brown
January 2, 2026
Eva Mae Brown, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, at the age of 86. She was born on March 20, 1939, in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Jessie (Hoots) Longcor. Eva was a passionate, warm-hearted woman whose caring nature touched everyone she met. On January 5, 1969, she married the love of her life,...
Linda Joy Johnson
January 1, 2026
Linda Joy Johnson, 78, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026. She was born in Rockford on May 17, 1947, the daughter of James and Joann (Latino) Scida. Linda was a graduate of Muldoon High School, class of 1965, and then graduated from Marycrest College in Davenport, IA. Linda married Ronald Johnson on January 30, 1976. He passed away...
Lucille E. Nadolski
January 1, 2026
Lucille E. Nadolski, 95, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Lucille was born in Chicago, IL, on March 24, 1930, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Dreas) Czerniejewski. During childhood, her family moved from Chicago to downstate Ashley, IL, where they lived on a farm. Lucille learned to value hard work at a young age, which led to...
Miguel “Mikey” A. Mercado III
January 1, 2026
Miguel “Mikey” Angel Mercado III, 26, of Poplar Grove, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 1, 2026, in Rockford. He was born on April 20, 1999, in Park Ridge, IL, the son of Miguel and Wema (Barkho) Mercado. Mikey was a loving, caring, and funny young man. Mikey found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He...
Joy M. Wiedenhoeft
December 31, 2025
Joy M. Wiedenhoeft, 89, passed away in Rockford, Illinois on December 31, 2025. Born in Osseo, Wisconsin on April 18, 1936, Joy’s journey began after graduating Whitewater High in the small town of Whitewater Wisconsin. This laid the foundation for her warm and compassionate character. She would go on to meet Wayne Wiedenhoeft, at the local pub after a night...
Tommy Darrell Freeman
December 31, 2025
Tommy Darrell Freeman, age 80, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025. He was born on June 11, 1945, in Morganfield, Kentucky, and grew up in Marion, Kentucky. He later made his home in Madisonville, Kentucky, where he spent the majority of his adult life.
In his early life, Tommy was adventurous and spirited, often teaming up with his partner-in-crime sister...
Karl W. Noltemeier
December 29, 2025
Karl W. Noltemeier, 97, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025.
Karl was born in Freeport, IL on February 27, 1928, the son of William and Esther (Heilman) Noltemeier. He graduated from Freeport High School and went on to earn his master’s degree in divinity and later earned a master’s degree as a licensed clinical social worker through Washington...
Dorothy Ann Kerestes
December 29, 2025
Dorothy Ann Kerestes passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on December 29, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born on July 28, 1938, in Streator, Illinois, the daughter of Andrew and Susan (Ritko) Lebo. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Dorothy's life was marked by her unwavering commitment to her family and her profound love for...
Rev. John "Russell" R. Skorburg
December 29, 2025
Rev. J Russell Skorburg was called to Heaven on December 29, 2025 at the age of 91.
Born December 30, 1933, to Stanley and Julia Westland Skorburg, he attended Rockford East High School and graduated from College of Emporia where he studied sports journalism and served as a cheerleader, participated in student politics and theater.
While attending Emporia, he met the love...
Sundina L. Dobratz
December 28, 2025
Sundina L. (Ricardo) Dobratz, 102, Rockford, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Rockford. She was born on March 29, 1923, in Rockford, the daughter of Salvator and Florence (De Mattio) Ricardo. She married her husband Richard A. Dobratz on June 25th, 1949.
Sandy is survived by her daughter, Florence (Steve) Carlson; her sons, Michael Dobratz...
Loralee Marie Janssen
December 26, 2025
Loralee Marie Janssen, 66, of Mt. Morris, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2025. She was born on November 30, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to LeRoy and Dolores (Warchol) Krueger. Loralee grew up in Palatine, Illinois, and graduated from Harper Community College with a degree in Dental Hygiene before settling in Rockford, Illinois. She spent most of her career serving...
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Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. offers a collection of obituaries for Rockford, IL & Winnebago County. With services throughout Illinois that are updated regularly. Find local Rockford, Illinois obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
