Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
Sunil Puri
March 8, 2026
Sunil Puri, founder and owner of First Midwest Group, who transformed the landscape of his community through visionary real estate development and philanthropy, died peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026. He was 65.
Born on October 3, 1960, in Bombay (Mumbai), India, to the late Amarnath and Chanchal Rani Puri, Sunil’s journey was the quintessential American success story. He immigrated to...
Jay K. Schafer
March 7, 2026
Jay K. Schafer, a beloved educator and cherished family man, departed this world on March 7, 2026, in the embrace of his family, leaving behind a legacy rich with love, laughter, and dedication. Born on October 6, 1955, Chicago, Illinois, the son of Leon and Jayne (Kasper) Schafer. Jay grew up in Morton Grove and enjoyed the vibrant energy of...
Helen Chirchirillo
March 4, 2026
Helen Joan Chirchirillo, age 91, of Loves Park, Il, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday March 4, 2026. She was born on May 15, 1934, in Dixon, Il, daughter of Elwood and Margaret (Stewart) Heatherington. She met and married her late husband Peter in 1958, in Chicago Il, later relocating to Loves Park, Il to raise their family.
Helen...
Priscilla M. Robertson
March 4, 2026
Priscilla M. (Jones) Robertson, age 82, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at The Pavilion of Ottawa, Illinois.
Priscilla was born in Corbin, Kentucky on January 9, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Mae Jones. She married Billy M. Robertson on September 3, 1967. They shared 48 blessed years of marriage, living a wonderful life and raised a beautiful family...
Sally Kay Schrader
March 3, 2026
Sally Kay Schrader, 82, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Rockford, IL. She was born on May 21, 1943, in Rockford. Daughter of Fay S. Funk and Marian N. (Johnson) Lindquist. Fay was KIA during World War II in 1944. Sally was raised by her mother, Marian and father Everett Lindquist. She married Russell G. Schrader in 1981...
Lois E. Bridge
March 2, 2026
Lois E. Bridge, 98, of Rockford, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, March 2, 2026. Born in Rockford, IL to Otto and Hannah (Brink) Pohl on August 3, 1927. Lois attended the Art Institute of Chicago and was an accomplished artist. She was raised in Rockford but moved out to Los Robles, California, and worked as a licensed...
Mary L. Vigliano
March 2, 2026
Mary L. Vigliano, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on March 2, 2026, in Rockford, Illinois, at the age of 97. Born on August 30, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of George and Irene (Daly) Pedresche.
Known for her great sense of humor and generous spirit, Mary was a loving matriarch who cherished her family deeply....
Joyce E. Goodsell
March 1, 2026
Joyce E. Goodsell, 80, passed away March 1, 2026 at Ascension Living St. Anne’s Place, Rockford, IL.
Born on March 26, 1945 in Freeport, Illinois, Joyce Elaine was the daughter of Kenneth and Vernena (Puls) Kuhlmeyer.
Joyce attended Pearl City Schools, graduating as part of the Pearl City High School Class of 1963.
Moving to Rockford soon after graduation, Joyce married her high...
Ruth M. Thayer
March 1, 2026
Ruth M. (Christianson) Thayer, age 78, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Ruth was born on February 19, 1948, the daughter of Gerald and Mildred Christianson, in Superior, WI. She grew up in Janesville, WI, attending Janesville schools. Ruth married Michael T. Thayer in 1966. Michael passed away on December 15, 2023.
Ruth was very active in her church, attending many...
Linda M. Rohlman
March 1, 2026
Linda Mae (Phelps) Rohlman, 76, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Rockford, IL. She was born on March 19, 1949, in DeKalb, the daughter of Budd and Mary (Almburg) Phelps. She married the love of her life, William “Bill” Rohlman, on June 11, 1977, in...
Frank A. Manzullo
February 28, 2026
Frank A. Manzullo, 83, a lifelong Rockford resident, died on February 28, 2026, while vacationing in Kissimmee, Florida. Born May 17, 1942, son of Frank A. Manzullo, Sr. and Catherine DiGirolamo Manzullo. Frank graduated from Rockford East High School in 1960, attended Rockford School of Business, and married Mary Ann Gagnon on February 3, 1968.
Frank was a soldier, inventor, trademark...
Jeffrey B. Witt
February 28, 2026
Jeffrey Brandon Witt, 54, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2026. He was born on October 9, 1971, in Woodstock, IL, the son of Donald J. and Lois A. (Nestle) Witt. He worked for UPS for 20 years.
Jeffrey was a kind soul; the one people flocked to. He could make friends with anyone and everyone. He loved music, especially rock...
Frank D. Barraco
February 27, 2026
Frank Dominic Barraco, age 80, passed away on February 27, 2026, in Sun City, Arizona.
Born in Beloit, Wisconsin on June 14, 1945, (Flag Day) to Joseph and Rose Barraco, Frank always felt a special pride in sharing his birthday with the American flag. Frank grew up in Beloit and carried his Midwestern warmth and strong work ethic with him throughout...
Richard A. Mansen
February 26, 2026
Richard A. Mansen 86, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday February 26,2026. He was born on May 31,1939 in Chicago, IL to Einar and Thelma (Hamater) Mansen. Richard grew up in the heart of Southside Chicago. He realized at an early age that God had a calling for his life and was led to serve in Bible translation.
Richard went to...
James W. McCarty
February 25, 2026
James Walter McCarty, 82, of Rockford, IL passed away February 25, 2026 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born September 5, 1943 in Darby, PA; the son of Arthur and Dorothy (Stoops) McCarty. He graduated from Haverford High School class of 1961. Proudly served in the Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic from 1964-1966...
Todd M. Espy
February 24, 2026
Todd Matthew, 51, of Rockford, passed away on February 24, 2026. He was born on January 13, 1975, in Rockford.
Private family services will be held.
Robert J. McGuire
February 23, 2026
Robert (Bob) Joseph McGuire of Rockford, Illinois, passed away on the morning of February 23, 2026, at the age of 88.
Bob was born on October 24, 1937, to Francis and Jeanette McGuire in Galena, Illinois. Bob graduated from Galena High School and Rock Valley College. In 1955, at age 17, Bob enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS...
Robert L. Carlson
February 21, 2026
Robert Lee Carlson, 87, of Rockford, passed away at his son’s home with loving family by his side.
Robert was born in Rockford, IL on September 28, 1938, the son of Algot and Elsie (Johnson) Carlson. He began working as a carpenter from the age of 15 and took great pride in continuing his lifelong career for many years. He was...
Ralph C. LaBore
February 21, 2026
Ralph Charles LaBore, "Mr. Wrigley", age 93, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Ralph was born January 7, 1933 in Freeport, IL to Ralph and Lauretta (Kern) LaBore. He was a proud Veteran of the Korean War serving from 1952 - 1956 in the United States Air Force. Ralph lived all his life in northern IL but enjoyed spending summers...
Grace M. Galvan
February 19, 2026
Grace M. Galvan, 86, of Belvidere, passed away at home peacefully on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Born in Rockford, IL, on March 22, 1939, to Joseph and Lena (Bertone) LaFranka. She married Luis Galvan in Belvidere on October 31, 1974. Grace was a woman of faith and family, dedicating her life to raising her children and grandchildren. To her family,...
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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.
