Cover photo for William J. Lonergan's Obituary
William J. Lonergan Profile Photo
1928 William 2020

William J. Lonergan

February 10, 1928 — January 14, 2020

William “Bill” J. Lonergan, 91, of Rockford, IL passed away at home on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

He was born February 10, 1928 in Rockford, the son of James and Anne (Johnson) Lonergan. Bill married Cecilia Konetski on July 2, 1955. He graduated from West High School, Class of 1946. Bill served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years. He joined the Rockford Fire Department in 1951, retiring in 1982 as Lieutenant. Bill was a member of the Illinois Association of Retired Firefighters.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia; son, Michael (Rose) Lonergan, daughters, Karen (Jeffery) Higdon and Linda (Ronald) Lewandowski; grandchildren, Patrick, Benjamin and Laura Lonergan, Christopher and Emily Higdon, Anthony, Philip and Stephen Lewandowski and great-grandson, Brody; sister, Margaret (Gerald) Goral; sister-in-law, Margaret (Richard) Heintz and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, brother, PFC Thomas Lonergan; sisters, Helen (Robert) Page, Catherine (George) Schlenk, Elizabeth (John) Provancher and Patricia (Richard) Taphorn; sister-in-law, Velora Upstone.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass on Friday, January 17, 2020 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford, IL 61107. Burial will conclude in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank OSF Hospice and OSF Home Healthcare for their care and compassion during Bill’s final days.

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

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William J. Lonergan, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Rosary

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Starts at 6:30 pm (Eastern time)

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory - Riverside Chapel

3910 North Rockton Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitation

Friday, January 17, 2020

9:30 - 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Holy Family Catholic Church

4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, January 17, 2020

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Holy Family Catholic Church

4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Burial

Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Winnebago/Rockford

8616 West State Road, Winnebago, IL 61088

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