Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Shirley Johnson

Shirley Johnson

November 14, 2020

Shirley Johnson, 80, of Byron, IL passed away peacefully on November 14, 2020, surrounded by family. She was born May 1, 1940 to Harry and Juanita “Ted” (McClellan) Speake in Rockford. She graduated from West High School in 1958, worked for a year as a secretary (someplace in Rockford kids cannot remember), and married her high school sweetheart, Keith Johnson...

Linda L. Kobler

Linda L. Kobler

November 13, 2020

Linda L. (Villarreal-Marquez) Kobler passed following a short illness on November 13, 2020. Linda was born September 23, 1950, in Oregon, Illinois to Dagoberto Villarreal and Dorothy (Sanner) Marquez. Graduated from Oregon Community High School in 1968. Completed her Nursing education at Freeport Memorial Deaconess School of Nursing in 1971. Married David A. Kobler on February 24, 1973. Married 47...

Mary Katherine Bonavia

Mary Katherine Bonavia

November 13, 2020

Mary K. “Meow” Bonavia, 41, of Rockford, died unexpectedly on November 13, 2020 at her home. Born in Rockford on May 8, 1979, she was the youngest child and only daughter of Peter D. & Phyllis A. (Lane) Bonavia. Mary grew up in Rockford and graduated from Guilford High School, Class of 1997. Following high school graduation, Mary attended Northern...

Carmen D. Bloom

Carmen D. Bloom

November 13, 2020

Carmen D. Bloom, 58, of Pecatonica, IL, died Friday, November 13, 2020. She was born on December 31, 1961, in Mt. Vernon, IL, to Carl and Lois (Breeze) Johnson. Carmen attended the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College in Baton Rouge, LA. She spent time working as a nanny, high school math teacher, and traveled with a music ministry. Carmen married Earl...

Robert "Bob" S. Lehew

Robert "Bob" S. Lehew

November 13, 2020

Robert Samuel LeHew was born February 16, 1944 in Dubuque Iowa. Son of Robert & Lyla LeHew. Grew up on a small farm in Clayton Iowa where fond memories included his pony, his dog Skippy and milking his favorite cow, Irma. Moved to Indiana when he was 12. One of his first jobs was caddying and later he worked as...

Richard J. Fleming

Richard J. Fleming

November 12, 2020

Richard J. Fleming (Dick) , 83, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 in his home. Dick was born in Freeport, IL on April 10, 1937, son of Donald and Josephine (Blimm) Fleming. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Dick married Evelyn Fluck on August 29, 1959 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in...

Frederick "Fred" R. Saunders

Frederick "Fred" R. Saunders

November 11, 2020

Frederick “Fred” R. Saunders, 83, Rockford. It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Frederick “Bucko” Saunders left this world on November 11, 2020, due to contracting Covid-19, despite following strict safety protocols. While he is gone, we are reminded of his story and the impact he had on our lives. Fred was born on March 3, 1937,...

Alex W. Smith Jr.

Alex W. Smith Jr.

November 10, 2020

Alex W. Smith, 87, of Rockford, IL passed away on November 10, 2020. Born February 12, 1933 in Rockford, son of Alex W. Smith Sr. and Doris (Corey) Smith. He graduated from West High School class of 1951. While at West High School Alex achieved many goals, he made top ten, ROTC captain, rifle, drill, and played football. He also...

Joseph "Joe" A.  Bortoli

Joseph "Joe" A. Bortoli

November 9, 2020

Joseph “Joe” A. Bortoli, 90, passed away surrounded by loving family November 9, 2020. Born on June 22, 1930 he was son to Martin and Clara (DalSanto) Bortoli. Joe attended West High School, and went on to join the U.S. Army and was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during the Korean Conflict. A lifetime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic...

Alvina R. Stickels

Alvina R. Stickels

November 9, 2020

Alvina R. Stickels, 93, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, November 9, 2020. She was born November 18, 1926 in DeKalb, IL to Walter and Mary (Miller) McAdams. Alvina married Colin Stickels in 1952 and they were married until Colin passed away in 1999. She spent over 26 years working at Sears as an Installation Scheduler. Alvina also volunteered many...

Joseph "Joe" Thomas Bruscato

Joseph "Joe" Thomas Bruscato

November 8, 2020

Joseph “Joe” Thomas Bruscato, 71, Rockford, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020, in his home. He was born November 15, 1948, in Rockford, the son of Carl and Irene (LaRosa) Bruscato. Joe was a graduate of Boylan Catholic High School, class of 1966. Joe served in the Army stationed in Germany. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University...

Roger Allen Houck

Roger Allen Houck

November 7, 2020

Roger Allen Houck, 69, of Rockford, passed away on November 7, 2020. He was born in Dixon, IL, on November 22, 1950, the pride and joy of Alice Darlene Houck and was quickly embraced by her family as another member of the Woosung Houcks--13 siblings raised by John Henry and Sadie Houck. One of Roger’s biggest sources of pride was...

Thomas "Tom" D. Faeth-Miller

Thomas "Tom" D. Faeth-Miller

November 7, 2020

Thomas “Tom” D. Faeth-Miller, 64, passed away on November 7, 2020 with his loving wife at his side. Born in Galesburg, Illinois he was son to Darrol and Vivian (Cox) Miller. Tom was a wonderful cook and worked in many local restaurants. He then went on to proudly work in the health care field and his last place of employment...

Marie L. Krist

Marie L. Krist

November 6, 2020

Marie L. Krist, 97, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020. Marie was born in La Salle, IL on April 18, 1923, daughter of Xavier and Hattie (Michalak) Washkoviak. She attended Rockford Central High School. Marie married Leonard T. Krist on June 24, 1944 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Rockford. She was the proud mother of twin...

Frieda L. Mcqueary

Frieda L. Mcqueary

November 6, 2020

Frieda (Fibrow) Hennessy McQueary, age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2020 with loving family by her side. She was born November 21, 1928 in Pecatonica, IL, daughter of Herman and Alice Fibrow. Frieda graduated from West High School and was employed by Amerock and Wesley Willows. She was an active member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church in...

Dale R. July

Dale R. July

November 4, 2020

Dale Russell July, 62, of Rockford lost his fight to COVID November 4, 2020 at Swedish American Hospital. Born January 22, 1958 in Rockford to Duane and Ruth (Scott) July, and graduated from Guilford High School class of 1976. He served our country in the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Dale married the love of...

William "Bill" Holland Snively

William "Bill" Holland Snively

November 4, 2020

William “Bill” Holland Snively, 84, of Rockford, passed away November 4th, 2020, at Wesley Willows. He was born November 30, 1935, in Rockford, son of John R. and Mabel Ruth (Holland) Snively. Bill graduated from Rockford West High School, and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado. Following diligent study and forging lifelong friendships, Bill graduated from the...

David A.  Habedank

David A. Habedank

November 4, 2020

David A. Habedank, 71, of Rockford, IL passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020. He was born August 21, 1949 in Elmhurst, IL to Vivian Habedank Reininger. David proudly served his country in the United States Airforce. He married the love of his life, Linda Prentice on January 24, 1970. David was the co-owner of Triangle Countertops in Loves Park, IL....

Kevin D. Farr

Kevin D. Farr

November 2, 2020

Kevin D. Farr, 56, passed away surrounded by loving family on November 2, 2020. Born on August 26,1964, he was the son of Dale and Bertha (Neubauer) Farr. A graduate of Auburn High School class of 1983, Kevin went on to pursue his absolute passion, mechanics. He had a love for cars, hot-rods, auto racing, NASCAR, and was very proud...