Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
Charles R. O'Keefe
June 6, 2025
Charles Richard O’Keefe, Sr. (“Dick”) passed away June 6, 2025, at the youthful age of 95. Dick lived a full and enriching life. He was a kind, gentle, funny, and good-hearted man, husband and father. He always treated others with respect and generosity.
Dick was one of seven children born to Frank and Myrtle O’Keefe. Dick and his wife, Carolyn, had...
John F. Miller
June 4, 2025
John F. Miller, 78, of Rockford, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. He was born in Princeton, IL, on February 1st of 1947 to Harris and Kathryn (Castle) Miller. He was a 1965 graduate of Stillman Valley High School where he excelled in Football receiving coaches’ awards of All Conference Tackle and MVP in his Senior year....
Donald "Don" DiGiovanni
June 3, 2025
With heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Don DiGiovanni. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. Don left us peacefully on June 3, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born on February 2, 1945, to Vito and Bernice (Twordzlo) DiGiovanni, Don grew up in Rockford and had a...
Leon R. Morford
June 1, 2025
Leon Ray Morford, age 83, of Rockford, died on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
He was born in Hugoton, Kansas on January 15, 1942. Leon played football in high school and excelled at numerous sports. He even completed several triathlons. Immediately following high school, Leon went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy. After retiring from the Navy,...
Wayne K. Thoren
June 1, 2025
Wayne K. Thoren, 92, passed away in Rockford, Illinois on Sunday, June 1, 2025. He was born on August 19, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois son of Melville and Esther (Stoltz) Thoren. A 1950 alumnus of Austin High School, Wayne went on to join the U.S. Navy during the Korean War before he embarked on a path of higher education that...
John W. Gabel Sr.
June 1, 2025
John W. “Jack” Gabel Sr., 74, a Vietnam veteran of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, IL. He was born on November 22, 1950, in Rockford, the son of Wayne and Elizabeth (Cropp) Gabel. He married Linda S. (Neblock) Gabel on November 6, 1987, in Reno, Nevada where they remained married...
Carol J. Parr
May 31, 2025
Carol J. Parr 1945-2025
Carol J. Parr, 80, Rockford, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025.
She was born April 1, 1945 in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Leslie Mansfield Burgett and Lillian Francis (Hancock) Burgett. She was a proud graduate of Auburn High School, Class of 1963, where she met Tom Parr, her husband of 54 years. Carol married Tom Parr in...
Fran Salivar
May 30, 2025
Fran (Wilson) Salivar passed away May 30, 2025 after a brief illness. Second daughter of Edward and Mary Rose (Haggard) Wilson, Fran married James C. Salivar (Jim) on August 16, 1980 in Brook Road Methodist Church in Rockford. Fran loved most genres of music, and she was an avid reader. She also loved helping others by making floral arrangements for...
Annette A. Nowicki
May 30, 2025
Annette A. Nowicki, affectionately known as “Toni,” was born on February 24, 1947, in Rockford, Illinois, the eldest daughter of Jasper and Mary (Roccaforte) Giacone. She passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, and commitment to those she touched throughout her life. Toni married the love of...
Malia M. Hennessy
May 30, 2025
Malia M. Hennessy, a beloved teacher and cherished member of her community, passed away on May 30, 2025, at the age of 83, in Rockford, Illinois. Born on January 25, 1942, Trinidad, British West Indies. Malia dedicated her life to education after earning her Masters degree in Education from Lewis University. She worked as a teacher for District 64 in...
James R. Hedlund, Sr.
May 28, 2025
James “Jim” R. Hedlund Sr., 86, of Lady Lake, FL, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The full obituary is pending at this time and will be updated soon.
A memorial visitation and service will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. Service times will also be updated...
P. Joan Boettcher
May 28, 2025
P. Joan Boettcher, age 95, passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, Rockford, Illinois. Born on July 17, 1929, in Princeton, Illinois to Norman H. and Portia C. (Pease) Weeks, Joan grew up in the small community of Bureau Junction. She attended schools in Bureau and Princeton and in 1945, she...
Cornelius James "Jim" Edson, Jr.
May 26, 2025
Cornelius James “Jim” Edson Jr. went to meet his Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025, at Wesley Willows Nursing Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Belvidere, the son of Cornelius J. and Jeanette (Nelson) Edson, Sr. He was a graduate of Rockford East High School, class of 1950. Jim was a veteran of the Army serving...
Carmen T. Cruz
May 24, 2025
Carmen T. (Rodriguez) Cruz, 97, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Carmen was born in Rockford, IL, on September 9, 1927, the daughter of Carman and Feliciana (DeLeon) Rodriguez. She married Maurilio Cruz Sr. on May 26, 1946, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Rockford. He preceded her in death in 1996.
Carmen credited...
Owen L. Heinrich
May 24, 2025
Owen L. Heinrich, 90, of Rockford, entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Born in Leota, Missouri, on May 13, 1935, to Phillip “Doc” and Nellie (Burgess) Heinrich. He attended West Plains High School and moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1953. He married Lillian Santee in Rockford on August 6, 1955. Owen entered active duty...
Rosene Mary (Hoskins/Didier) Anderson
May 22, 2025
Rosene Mary Anderson (Hoskins/Didier), 87, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Rockford on November 8, 1937, the daughter of Mathias and Dorothy (Rankin) Didier. She worked as a layout artist for several Rockford businesses and in the Art Department of the Rockford Register Star Newspaper for...
Jay H. Fern
May 21, 2025
Jay H Fern, a vibrant spirit with a knack for mischief and an insatiable zest for life, left us on May 21, 2025, at the age of 78. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 14, 1946, Jay was a true Brooklynite, carrying the city's lively essence wherever he went. Though he wasn't particularly religious, his Hebrew name Shondel was...
Geraldine L. Gustafson
May 20, 2025
Geraldine L. Gustafson (nee Nosalik) 1941-2025 – Gerrie died on the evening of May 20, 2025 in her home in Rockford, Illinois surrounded by her daughters after a two plus year battle with stomach cancer. Mother, Friend, Journalist, Marketing & Communications Director, Community Volunteer, and Runner – Gerrie loved Rockford and quickly became an integral part of the the community,...
Harold T. Austin
May 19, 2025
Harold T. Austin, 90, of Machesney Park, died on Monday, May 19, 2025. He was born June 14, 1934, on the family farm in Wilmington, IL to George T. and E. Pearl (Howard) Austin. He graduated from ISU and went to work for the US Department of Agriculture before returning to campus to manage the University Farm. He later returned...
Gary I. Hanson Jr.
May 19, 2025
Gary I. Hanson Jr., fondly known as "Gator" and " The King" to his family, left us far too soon on May 19, 2025, in his birthplace of Rockford, Illinois. Born on September 25, 1966, the son of Gary Hanson Sr. and Linda Yarbrough. Gary grew up to be a kindhearted individual known for his mellow demeanor, humor, and ability...
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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.
