Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Cecil LeRoy Hinshaw

Cecil LeRoy Hinshaw

August 23, 2024

On April 22,1941, Cecil Leroy Hinshaw was born on a small farm near Lenox, Iowa to Ron and Verlea (Larson) Hinshaw. He grew up surrounded by loving cousins and two doting sisters, Janet and Rhonda, whom he cherished dearly. He was the smartest kid in his class at his one room schoolhouse (where he was also the only) through 8th...

Richard J. Alt

Richard J. Alt

August 22, 2024

Richard “Dick” Alt, 80, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, in Machesney Park, IL, with his wife Joanne and his family by his side. He was born October 15, 1943, in Cuba City, WI to the late Arthur and Mabel (Lindsay) Alt. He graduated from high school in Rising Sun, Maryland in 1961.

Dick served in the U.S. Airforce and...

David E. Raht

David E. Raht

August 21, 2024

David Elwood Raht, aged 78, passed away on August 21, 2024, after a brief but rapidly progressive neurological illness which shocked and devastated family and all who knew and loved him. Dave was a resident of Naples, Florida, and Wayzata, Minnesota as well as having lived for over thirty years in Rockford, Illinois.

David is survived by his wife, Patricia Raht;...

Marilyn H. Haddad

Marilyn H. Haddad

August 20, 2024

Marilyn H. Haddad, 95, of Rockford, passed away on August 20, 2024. She was born on March 24, 1929, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of William and Helen (Momenteller) Bray. She married Lloyd Haddad on February 9, 1952, and he preceded her in death on May 19, 2021. Marilyn enjoyed cooking, shopping, and crafting, especially ceramics. Marilyn and Lloyd loved...

Joan R. Easter

Joan R. Easter

August 18, 2024

Joan R. Easter, 85 of Rockford, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024. Born on November 1st of 1938 to Leo and Eva (Fuesting) Esker in Harvey, Illinois. She graduated from Loretto Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Chicago, Illinois and worked her first job at Fannie May on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, IL. She later worked at a local grocery...

Janice M. Brown

Janice M. Brown

August 18, 2024

Janice Marie Brown, a cherished mother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the age of 76, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.Born on May 28, 1948, in Prescott, Arkansas, Janice was the cherished daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Brown and Irene Brown. She moved to Rockford, Illinois as a...

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

August 15, 2024

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe, 76 of Cherry Valley, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Born to parents Roger and Eileen (Welter) Sabbe in Rockford, IL on January 19, 1948.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; sister, Diane (Michael) Rohrbacher; and many nieces and nephews. 

No services will be held at this time to respect Ron's wishes. To send online condolences...

John Ray Olesen

John Ray Olesen

August 15, 2024

John Ray Olesen, of Loves Park, born to Rasmus and Vera Olesen, grew up in Winnebago, IL. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on August 15, at the age of 82. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and hard work. Born on August 6, 1943, John attended Clark University, then married Joyce (Bonnie Bea)...

Kathleen E. Carlson

Kathleen E. Carlson

August 14, 2024

Kathleen E. Carlson, 52, Belvidere, IL, passed away on Wednesday August 14, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 15, 1971, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Norman and Martha (Peper) Carlson. Kathleen married her longtime partner, Michelle, on February 9, 2015. 

At an early age, Kathleen was interested in sports and was on local...

Ingeborg T. Schwarz

Ingeborg T. Schwarz

August 13, 2024

Ingeborg T. (Isenberg) Schwarz, age 90, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024.

Inge was born in Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany, on October 27, 1933, the only child of Karl and Helene (Quarenheim) Isenberg. In August 1953, her uncle Walter and aunt Daisy Isenberg sponsored the family to immigrate to the United States. They resided in Stratford, Connecticut. Inge first...

Jasper Anthony Rotello

Jasper Anthony Rotello

August 13, 2024

Jasper “Jerry” Anthony Rotello, 83, of Rockford, passed away on August 13, 2024, at Medina Nursing Home in Durand. He was born on June 24, 1941, in Rockford, the son of Joseph and Mary (DiBella) Rotello. Jerry graduated from West High School, class of 1959 and attended Loyola University in Chicago, graduating in 1963. He served in the US Army,...

Thomas Joseph Bacino

Thomas Joseph Bacino

August 9, 2024

Thomas “Tom” Joseph Bacino, 82, Rockford, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at Allure of Pinecrest surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 10, 1942, in Rockford, the son of Joseph and Mary (Spinello) Bacino. Tom married Sandy Fasula in Rockford on June 1, 1963. He worked as a Production Manager for Courier Printing until his retirement. He...

Sheila Whitehouse

Sheila Whitehouse

August 7, 2024

Sheila passed peacefully surrounded by love on the morning of Wednesday, August 7th. She was born Tuesday, December 29th, 1942, in England and moved to the US in 1969. Sheila (Mom, Nanny) had a deep love for many things including her family, her cats and her garden. She also loved to dance, laugh until she cried, listen to and sing...

Donald Hatcher

Donald Hatcher

August 6, 2024

Donald Hatcher, 80, the most interesting man of Cherry Valley, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, after a short battle. He was born on June 15, 1944, in Rocky Branch, Tennessee. 

Don worked at ABAR Ipsen for 30 years before retiring. He loved to fish, dance, and go to garage sales and flea markets. He was very good at wheeling...

Henry K. Skrzypczak

Henry K. Skrzypczak

August 3, 2024

 Henry K. Skrzypczak, 90, passed away at home on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Born on July 1, 1934, in Poland, son to Adam and Mary (Brychcy) Skrzypczak. During WWII, he deported with his parents to Siberia, then lived in Africa for six years with mother and siblings in a Displaced Persons camp (Tengeru, Tanzania). Afterwards, in England he went to...

Thomas "Tom" L. Swank

Thomas "Tom" L. Swank

August 2, 2024

Thomas “Tom” L. Swank, 83, Stillman Valley, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 19, 1941, in Racine, WI, the son of Lyle and Maxine (Marker) Swank. Tom was a graduate of Freeport High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ottawa, KS and his master’s...

Anita Marie Nanni

Anita Marie Nanni

August 2, 2024

Anita Marie Nanni, 88, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024. 

Anita was born in Rockford on September 20, 1935, daughter of Frank and Nancy (Gulotta) Giardono. She graduated from West High School and worked as a receptionist for Dr. Frederick Dietz at the Rockford Clinic for many dedicated years. She married Peter D. Nanni on July 18, 1953....

Neil E. Hamilton

Neil E. Hamilton

August 1, 2024

Neil E. Hamilton, 92, passed away on August 1, 2024. He was born January 10, 1932, in Sterling, IL to Edna R. (Johnson) and Richard O. Hamilton. Neil married Nancy A. Smith on October 12, 1957, in Janesville, Wisconsin. He attended the Rockford School District first through twelfth grade, graduating from West Senior High in 1949. Joined the U.S. Army...

Marlene A. Carlson

Marlene A. Carlson

August 1, 2024

Marlene A. (Nelson) Carlson, 81, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, after a long and difficult battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on September 24, 1942, the daughter of Verner and Mary (Powilaites) Nelson. She married Dennis Carlson on May 5, 1961, in Rockford where they raised two children.

She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church...

Lorraine Louise Silberman

Lorraine Louise Silberman

July 31, 2024

Lorraine Louise Silberman (nee Stoltz), age 93, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. She was born May 9, 1931, in Keyesville, Wisconsin to John and Elizabeth (nee Doyle) Stoltz and was raised on a dairy farm. Lorraine was the youngest of eight children, Ed, Leo, Mary, Marcella, Rose, Joe, and Veronica. She attended St. Mary's grade...