Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Ann K. Hornbach

Ann K. Hornbach

March 15, 2020

Ann Kinnon Hornbach passed away suddenly on March 15,2020, in Alpine Fireside Rockford, IL. Ann was born on September 9, 1933, in Bruce Crossing, Upper Peninsula, Michigan. She married Charles Hornbach on August 29, 1953. She graduated from Aquinas College with a teaching degree. Ann started a Montessori pre-school in Grand Rapids. Her career included teaching and homemaking. She was...

Reverend Monsignor Thomas Monahan Ph.D.

Reverend Monsignor Thomas Monahan Ph.D.

March 15, 2020

The Chancery received word Sunday, March 15, 2020, that Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Monahan, Ph. D., died at Wesley Willows in Rockford. Monsignor was born on July 30, 1929, in Des Moines, Iowa, to James T. Monahan and Leona Waltenbaugh. Monsignor Monahan attended Fordham University, New York, before attending Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y. where he received his Bachelor Degree...

Stephen N. Geyer

Stephen N. Geyer

March 15, 2020

Stephen N. Geyer, 79, of Rockford, IL. passed away peacefully March 15, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Minneapolis, MN. on December 13, l940 to his loving parents Lynn and Gertrude Geyer. Stephen graduated from Tulsa Central High School in Tulsa, OK. whereupon he entered Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota completing his B.A. Degree in History....

Lillian D. Hagen

Lillian D. Hagen

March 14, 2020

Lillian D. Hagen, 90, passed away March 14, 2020. Born in Rockford Illinois on December 1, 1929 daughter to Walfred and Vera (Amloh) Johnson. She graduated from East High School in 1947 and attended St. Anthony Nursing School graduating in 1950. Later that year she went on to marry the love of her life, Arnold Hagen in Rockford. Lillian enjoyed...

Edward J. Franiak

Edward J. Franiak

March 14, 2020

Edward J. Franiak, 91, of Rockford, IL was called home on Saturday, March 14, 2020. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 15, 1929 to John and Sophie (Kubasiak) Franiak. Edward proudly served his country in the Army Air Corp. during the Korean War. He married the love of his life Kathleen Block on October 15, 1955 at St....

Eleanor M. Huetson

Eleanor M. Huetson

March 14, 2020

Eleanor M. Huetson 103 years, a resident of Rockford, died on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Born July 10, 1916 in Chicago the daughter of Harry and Anna (Beausejour} Fuellgraff. Married Walter A. Huetson in Chicago on June 29, 1940. She was an artist and photographer who also wrote and illustrated books for her grandchildren. Eleanor and Walt were charter members...

Josephine  M. Vascellaro Caruana

Josephine M. Vascellaro Caruana

March 14, 2020

Josephine Marie Vascellaro Caruana, 97, lifelong Rockford resident, died on Saturday, March 14, 2020 in her home at Crimson Pointe Assisted Living. Born February 10, 1923, daughter of Frank and Angela Armato Vascellaro. Married Angelo L. Caruana on July 3, 1941 in Chicago. She owned and operated a hair salon in her home for over 30 years. Josephine was a...

David W. Ross

David W. Ross

March 10, 2020

David W. Ross, 77, of Rockford, passed away suddenly on March 10, 2020. Born on April 2, 1942 in Freeport, Illinois, son of the late Albert and Esther (Mennenga) Ross. Survived by Ruth, his wife of 56 years; son, Vince Ross; daughter, Val (Verne) Sharp; grand-daughters, Whitney and Leya Sharp, all of Rockford; sisters, Darlene (Michael) Scott of Machesney Park...

Betty M. Balke

Betty M. Balke

March 9, 2020

Betty M. Balke, 94, of Rockford, passed away after complications from a stroke. Born in Larned, Kansas on the family farm to parents John and Emma Meeker on February 19, 1926. Betty was one of ten children. Graduated valedictorian from Rockford Hall Adult High School in 1975. Sales associate at Sears, downtown for 19 years. Housemother at nurses dorm at...

Claude Joseph Simpkins

Claude Joseph Simpkins

March 8, 2020

Claude Joseph Simpkins, 64, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away March 8, 2020. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA January 10, 1956, the son of Cline (Clyde) and Mary Catherine (Richards) Simpkins. Claude was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a coin collector and a history buff, especially interested in the Civil War and Westward expansion. Those who knew...

Anna "Ann" T. Pellegrini

Anna "Ann" T. Pellegrini

March 7, 2020

Anna “Ann” (Frisella) Pellegrini, 95, Madison, Wisconsin passed away March 7, 2020 at All Saints Assisted Living, Madison, WI. Ann was born August 11, 1924 in Rockford, IL to Carmello and Maria (Armato) Frisella. She was baptized and took her first communion at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Rockford and graduated from Rockford West High School. Ann married...

Sophie  F. Mccoy

Sophie F. Mccoy

March 7, 2020

Sophie Frances McCoy, 101, of Rockford, IL passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2020 in Anam Care. Born May 29, 1918 in Milwaukee, WI; daughter of Joseph and Stella (Stepsis) Rozum. Sophie’s family moved to Rockford when she was a young child and she grew up at the family home on 11th Street. She graduated from Morris Kennedy Grade School,...

Bertha E. Edwards

Bertha E. Edwards

March 6, 2020

Bertha E. Edwards, 82, passed away on March 6, 2020. Born March 13, 1937 in Rockford, IL daughter of Peter and Mary (Abate) Maggio. She graduated from West High School in 1955. She retired from Rockford Products in 2000. Bertha took pride in her house, caring for it and decorating for the holidays. She also enjoyed cooking and listening to...

Michael J. Delany

Michael J. Delany

March 5, 2020

Michael J. Delany, 93, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Colleen (Lane), six children, Michael Jr. (Angie Schmidt), Mary, Peter (Heidi Zeker), John, Julie (Bill) Heberer, and Dan (Lynne), twelve grandchildren, including Maggie, Katie & Payton, Erin, Sarah & Will, Ben & Ellie Heberer, Tommy, Charlie, Celia & Gemma,...

Harry J. "Jerry" Nichols

Harry J. "Jerry" Nichols

March 5, 2020

Harry J. “Jerry” Nichols, 88, of Rockford, died on Thursday, March 5, 2020 with his family by his side. Born October 11, 1931 in Rockford, son of Harry J. and Florence Sundell Nichols, Sr. He graduated from East High School, class of 1949. Married his loving wife, Wilma Martin, on October 25, 1952 in Dubuque, IA. Employed for many years...

Matthew "Matt" J. Erb

Matthew "Matt" J. Erb

March 5, 2020

Matthew (Matt) John Erb, 49, Rockford, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020, taking with him the love of all his family. Matt was born on January 15, 1971, in Cleveland, Ohio to Roger and Joyce (Muldowney) Erb. He moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1974 where he remained a lifelong resident. On June 17, 2000, he married Pamela Borgens in...

Marguerite "Sally" Francis Lamonica

Marguerite "Sally" Francis Lamonica

March 5, 2020

Marguerite Francis ‘Sally’ LaMonica , 91, of Rockford passed away Mar 5th, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Chicago November 5th, 1928, daughter of Douglas & Marguerite Dorothy Hess. Sally graduated Austin High School in 1945. Sally married the love of her life, Mike LaMonica on July 2nd, 1949 in Chicago. Sally’s life took her from Chicago, IL,...

Pamela Kay Smith

Pamela Kay Smith

March 5, 2020

Pamela Kay Smith, 58, of Rockford, IL passed away Thursday, March 5th, 2020. Born in Rockford, IL to Isaiah and Juanita (Turman) Richardson, Pam leaves behind her husband of 40 years, Dennis Smith, her daughter LaTonya Smith, and her son Dennis Smith Jr. Pam served the community for over 20 years as a full-time volunteer minister, and was known for...

Dr. / Col. Robert  D. Restuccia

Dr. / Col. Robert D. Restuccia

March 5, 2020

Dr. / Col. Robert D. Restuccia, 75, of Rockford, IL passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020. Born November 13, 1944 in Trenton, New Jersey; the son of Peter and Adeline (Maruca) Restuccia. Robert attended Trenton Catholic Boys High School, class of 1962. He was a graduate of Lehigh University in 1966 then continued as a graduate student at Rutgers University...

Paula M. Samerdyke

Paula M. Samerdyke

March 5, 2020

Paula M. Samerdyke, 79, of Rockford passed away March 5, 2020 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital. Born April 6, 1940 in Cleveland, OH, the daughter of John & Mary (Major) Steber. Graduated with her BSN from St. John’s University in Cleveland. Married her loving husband, Bertram “Bert” P. Samerdyke on June 22, 1963. A faithful member of Holy Family Catholic...