Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Carol J. Parr

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

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

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

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.

James R. Hedlund, Sr.

May 28, 2025

James ("Jim") R. Hedlund Sr., 86, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Lady Lake, Florida. He was born June 29, 1938, in Rockford, Illinois to Milton and Maybelle (Pearson) Hedlund. Jim married the love of his life, Madeline "Lynn" C. Frank, on November 13, 1965, in McHenry, Illinois, and they were married for over 50 years before her...

P. Joan Boettcher

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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...

Thomas Frederick Mohr

Thomas Frederick Mohr

May 19, 2025

Thomas (Tom) Frederick Mohr, 91, passed away in Rockford, Illinois, on May 19, 2025. He was born on September 16, 1933, in Jackson, Michigan, son to Maurice and Irene (Holland) Mohr. A passionate junior college basketball player with an acclaimed 2-handed set shot, Tom left Jackson Jr. College to enlist in the Army, recognizing the great benefit of the GI...

Irmgard M. Larson

Irmgard M. Larson

May 17, 2025

Irmgard Larson, 87, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Born October 17, 1937 in Germany. Daughter of Elsa and Johan Lange.

Married Arnold Larson on July 20, 1962 in Iowa. She worked at Barber Coleman, several greenhouses, enjoyed babysitting her grandkids, nieces and nephews and was a homemaker. She also loved working in the garden and her...

Melissa S. Keip

Melissa S. Keip

May 16, 2025

Melissa Shawn (Miller) Keip, 39, Rockford, passed away on May 16, 2025. She was born on October 15, 1985, the daughter of M. Todd and Shawn (Bluege) Miller in Rockford. She married Adam Keip on July 11, 2009, in Rockford.

A devoted member of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Melissa cherished her faith and community. She was an avid reader with...

Wendy S. Breit

Wendy S. Breit

May 16, 2025

Wendy Sue Breit, 57 passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born on August 16, 1967, in Oregon, Illinois, and went on to graduate in 1985 from Oregon High School. Marrying the love of her life, Jody Breit, on December 18, 2007, stands as one of Wendy's proudest accomplishments. Their bond was a testament to...

Vincenzo Costa

Vincenzo Costa

May 15, 2025

Vincenzo Costa, age 104, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025. 

Vincenzo was born in Ucria, Sicily on February 26, 1921, the son of Sebastiano and Rosalia (Pinzone) Costa. He married Antonina "Mela" Barone in Ucria, Sicily on October 5, 1950. After moving to the United States, Vincenzo worked as a brick layer and was a highly skilled...

Carolyn E. Fiduccia

Carolyn E. Fiduccia

May 15, 2025

Carolyn E. Fiduccia, 91, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Born on September 21, 1933, in St. Augustine, Florida, to William Allen Rowand Sr. and Leona Mary Elizabeth Cash (Marie). Carolyn's life was marked by deep connections and unwavering dedication to her family and friends.

She was the devoted wife of the...