Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Wayne Frank Gabel

Wayne Frank Gabel

July 16, 2025

Wayne Frank Gabel, 97, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born October 8, 1927, in Rockford, the son to Frank and Irene (Ganther) Gabel. He is a graduate of Harlem High School, class of 1945. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” (Cropp) Gabel, on September 11, 1948, at...

Sister Mary Pia Lawless

Sister Mary Pia Lawless

July 16, 2025

Sister Mary Pia Lawless, 89

Sister Mary Pia Lawless, 89, a Poor Clare cloistered nun, died Tuesday, July 16, 2025, at Corpus Christi Monastery, Rockford, Illinois, after a long illness. She was born October 25, 1935, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, daughter of John Joseph and Marie Ann (Dillon) Lawless.

Sister Pia became a professed member of the Franciscan Sisters of Frankfurt,...

Edward "Eddie" W. Tovo

Edward "Eddie" W. Tovo

July 15, 2025

Edward's obituary is pending at this time.

Connie K. Dorsey

Connie K. Dorsey

July 13, 2025

Connie Kay (Burns) Dorsey, 85, of Rockford passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Born June 11, 1940, in Richland Center, Wis., she was the daughter of Paul and Lorena Fern (Gander) Burns.

Connie graduated from West High School in Rockford, Illinois, and she continued to live in the stateline area until her passing. She was a member of Aldersgate...

Virginia A. Spoto

Virginia A. Spoto

July 12, 2025

Virginia (Hagney) Spoto, a woman of grace and deep abiding faith, passed away peacefully on July 12, surrounded by her loving family. Born on September 28, 1927, in Pekin, Illinois, to George and Viola (Buck) Hagney, Virginia graduated from Pekin High School and moved with her family to Rockford in 1946. She continued her education at Rockford College, Oxford University...

Janet A. Kloweit

Janet A. Kloweit

July 11, 2025

With deep love and heavy hearts, we share that Janet Ann Schrom Kloweit gained her angel wings on July 11, 2025. To know Jan was to feel her warmth wrap around you like a hug — her kindness, generosity, and boundless love touched countless lives and will live on forever in the hearts of those lucky enough to call her...

Phillip F. Rezin

Phillip F. Rezin

July 10, 2025

Phillip “Phil” Frank Rezin, 85, of Rockford, passed away on July 10, 2025. He was born on April 29, 1940, in Chicago, the son of George and Irma (Vyhnalek) Rezin. Phil graduated from Round Lake High School where he met and married the love of his life, Mary Irvin, on March 28, 1959, in Waukegan. He worked as a union...

Debra Lynn McKinney

Debra Lynn McKinney

July 10, 2025

Debra Lynn McKinney, 67, of Belvidere, passed away at home on Thursday, July 10, 2025. She was born in Rockford, IL on August 12, 1957, to Theodore and Mary (Doherty) Misuraca. 

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who will be missed greatly. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home...

Marian G. Johnson

Marian G. Johnson

July 7, 2025

"Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. In that way, all those who come in contact with you will discover the loving kindness of God"     ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Marian G. (Zeppenfeld) Johnson 95 of Rockford, IL, passed away July 7, 2025.

Marian was born and raised in Ironwood, Michigan,...

Genetta A. Jordan

Genetta A. Jordan

July 6, 2025

Genetta A. Jordan, 78, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at UW Health - Swedish American Hospital. She was born on April 17, 1947, in Beloit WI, the daughter of Larry and Gertrude (McGlaun) Berkley. She married her husband of 56 years, Elbert R. Jordan, on December 17, 1968, in Rockford IL.

Genetta was a godly woman, being...

Brian W. Meyer

Brian W. Meyer

July 5, 2025

Brian W. Meyer, born on October 20, 1947, in Oak Park, Illinois, son to Kenneth and Lorraine (Cleve) Meyer, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2025, in Cherry Valley, Illinois. He was a beloved figure in the world of purebred dogs, celebrated for his dedication and passion for dogs that spanned a lifetime. Growing up in a family...

Judith "Judy" Janusevic

Judith "Judy" Janusevic

July 2, 2025

 Judith I. Janusevic, 93, died peacefully on July 2, 2025, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, after a long illness. She was born on March 7, 1932, to Harold and Ellen (Engstrom) Anderson, in Merrill, WI. Judy’s grandparents were founding members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church there, and they dedicated a stained glass window in the Engstrom name. Along with her sisters,...

Shana L. Paris

Shana L. Paris

July 1, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shana Leigh Paris (Flader) of Rockford, Illinois. She was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born April 18, 1973, in Rockford, Illinois.

Shana was an extraordinary and beautiful woman that...

Ralph H. Bergstrom

Ralph H. Bergstrom

June 30, 2025

Ralph Helmer Bergstrom passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, with his beloved wife, Carolyn (Dyball) by his side, after courageously battling cancer since last September. His passing marks the close of a life defined by integrity, devotion, and a commitment to family, faith, and community.

Born in Chicago and raised in Oak Lawn, Illinois, Ralph was shaped by humble beginnings...

Joan Theresa Geyer

Joan Theresa Geyer

June 30, 2025

Joan “Jo” Theresa Geyer, 65, passed away on June 30, 2025, at U.W. Madison Hospital. She was born on February 22, 1960, in Rockford, the daughter of Eugene E. and Theresa H. (Segalla) Roser. She graduated from Auburn High School, class of 1978 and worked as a CNA in home healthcare. She married Emmeran Geyer on July 1, 2010, in...

Mary J. Bowes

Mary J. Bowes

June 26, 2025

On Thursday June 26th, 2025, Mary Joanne Bowes lost her eleven-year battle with cancer. She was born on September 22, 1965, in Rockford Illinois to two loving parents, Earl and Catherine “Kay” (Conroy) Hickey. Mary grew up as an only child and was the center of her parents’ world.

Throughout her childhood, Mary enjoyed visiting her cousins on family farms. She...

Walter W. Kersting

Walter W. Kersting

June 24, 2025

Walter W. Kersting, 91 years of age, passed away on June 24, 2025, in his home. Walter was born on September 4, 1933, in Gelsenkirchen-Buer, Germany, to the late Heinrich and Elfriede Kersting. He was the youngest of their three children.

He was trained as a painter and went on to be a journeyman for over 40 years until his retirement....

Thomas D. Fuller

Thomas D. Fuller

June 22, 2025

Thomas “Tom” D. Fuller, 68, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Rockford. On May 15, 1957, he was born in Libertyville, IL, the son of Arthur and Ruth (Becker) Fuller. He married his wife of 21 years, Donna M. (Larson) Fuller, on July 19th, 2003, in Rockton, IL.

He dedicated an impressive 35 years of his life...

Mary Lou Sensor

Mary Lou Sensor

June 19, 2025

Mary Lou Sensor, 90, passed away on June 19, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born on August 20, 1934, in Stilwell Oklahoma, daughter to Walter and Mary Reed. Her journey through life included two profound and loving marriages. Mary Lou shared 29 joyful years with her beloved husband, Andrew Stevenson, who passed away in August 1983. Mary’s professional journey...

Mary Ann Rosandich

Mary Ann Rosandich

June 16, 2025

Mary Ann Rosandich, 82, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025. Born in Kennan, WI on September 21, 1942, to Joseph and Frances (Huven) Gehring. She married Robert “Bob” Rosandich in Catawba, WI on July 8, 1961. They were together 62 years until his passing in 2023. She worked as an accountant in the area for many...