Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Michael "Mike" F. Tongue

Michael "Mike" F. Tongue

December 6, 2018

Michael “Mike” F. Tongue, 48 of Rockford, passed away Thursday, December 6, 2018. Mike was born June 22, 1970 in Rockford, IL, son of Michael R. Tongue and Linda (Cox) Engelkens. He graduated from East High School, Class of 1989. Mike married Carrie (Skrzypczynski) Tongue on June 4, 1994 in Rockford. He was an active member of St. Bridget Catholic...

Hsiu F. Liou

Hsiu F. Liou

December 4, 2018

Hsiu Liou, 73, Rockford, passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2018, in her home. She is survived by her children, Bruce Liou, May (Wen) Zeng, and Robert (YeJeong Son) Liou; her grandchildren, Carlo and Andre Liou, Andrew, Mickey, and Thomas Zeng, Goojong and Gooyoung Jung and Alexis Nagi Liou. Per Hsiu’s wishes, services will be private. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory...

Wendy C. Contreras

Wendy C. Contreras

December 3, 2018

Wendy C. Contreras, 36, of Rockford, passed away December 3, 2018 at Swedish American Hospital. Born September 7, 1982 in El Salvador, the daughter of Jose Dagoberto Contreras & Mirna Elizabeth Caballero Hernandez. Married Fermin Garcia in Rolling Meadows on September 21, 2006. She worked for ABM Company for thirteen years. She is survived by husband and parents and numerous...

William "Bill" A. Schriver

William "Bill" A. Schriver

December 1, 2018

William “Bill” A. Schriver, 74, of Belvidere died Saturday, December 1st, 2018. Born August 28th, 1944, in Mauston, Wisconsin, the son of Harley and Mildred (Howland) Schriver. Bill was a courageous father who served in the National Guard for 8 years. He married our mother Mary Jo Buch on January 1st, 1966 at Fort Gordon Military Base in Georgia. Dad,...

Jesse L. Otwell

Jesse L. Otwell

November 30, 2018

Jesse Lee Otwell, 91, of Rockford, passed away November 30, 2018 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born August 15, 1927 in Lincoln Parish, La, the son of John & Lytha (Howard) Otwell. Attended Ruston High School. Served in the U.S. Army as a tank driver during WWII European Theater. Moved to Rockford, IL in 1948. He married Verna Iloe...

James W. Nichols

James W. Nichols

November 29, 2018

James W. Nichols, 76, of Cherry Valley passed away Thursday, November 29, 2018 in his home. Born October 5, 1942, the son of James and Marie (Bonk) Nichols. James was a veteran serving in the United States Marines for 4 years and was promoted to Captain. James married Rosalie Hehn on September 2, 1963 at St. Rita Catholic Church in...

Shirley  R. Elliott

Shirley R. Elliott

November 28, 2018

Shirley R. Elliott, 93, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Shirley was born in St. Louis, MO on September 21, 1925, daughter of Leonard and Hazel (Lorenz) Langeneckert. She married Francis E. Elliott on July 3, 1945 in St. Louis, MO. He passed away June 29, 2007. Throughout life, Shirley was an excellent cook and loved to...

Shirley Mae Swart

Shirley Mae Swart

November 28, 2018

Shirley Mae Swart, 92, Rockford, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2018, at Alden Debes Center, Rockford. She was born November 28, 1926, in Rockford, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Johnson) Murphy. Shirley graduated from Muldoon Catholic High School in the class of 1944. She married Donald E. Swart on September 6, 1947, and he passed away in Rockford on...

Hugh T. Degroff

Hugh T. Degroff

November 27, 2018

Hugh T. DeGroff, 76, lifelong resident of Rockford passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018. Born July 9, 1942, the son of Faye and Marguerite (Lawson) DeGroff. Hugh was a graduate of Roosevelt Military Academy in Aledo and attended classes at Rock Valley College. Hugh was a United States Air Force Veteran. Hugh married Linda Freedlund on October 17, 1959 in...

Mary K. Giacomelli

Mary K. Giacomelli

November 26, 2018

Mary K (Kauffman) Giacomelli, 86 of Rockford, died Monday, November 26, 2018 at home, The Grand Victorian with her daughter Ann (Steve) by her side. She was a loving Daughter, Mother, Mummum, Grandma and Great Mummum. Born June 28, 1932 in Springfield, IL to William V. and Elizabeth (Malone) Kauffman. Mary was a woman of grace and class. A devout...

Mary K. Giacomelli

Mary K. Giacomelli

November 26, 2018

Mary K (Kauffman) Giacomelli, 86 of Rockford, died Monday, November 26, 2018 at home, The Grand Victorian with her daughter Ann (Steve) by her side. Loving Daughter, Mother, Mummum, Grandma and Great Mummum. Born June 28, 1932 in Springfield, IL to William V. and Elizabeth (Malone) Kauffman. Mary was a woman of grace and class. A devout Catholic and sincerely...

Josephine A. Alfano

Josephine A. Alfano

November 25, 2018

Josephine A. Alfano, 89, of Rockford, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on November 25, 2018. Josephine "Jo" was born in Rockford on September 14, 1929, daughter of Charlie and Angelina (Cannella) Russo. She graduated from East High School, where she enjoyed GAA sports activities. Josephine married her beloved husband Barney A. Alfano, on November 13, 1948, at St....

Raymond E. Rickabaugh

Raymond E. Rickabaugh

November 23, 2018

Raymond E. “Rick” Rickabaugh, Sr., of Belvidere passed away in his sister’s home in Monroe, Wi. Born September 27, 1944 in Correctionville, Iowa, the son of Everett & Juanita Mae (Roark) Rickabaugh. Rick enjoyed bowling, motorcycles, and fishing. He is survived by children Raymond Rickabaugh Jr, Kenny Rickabaugh, Deborah Simmons, Selena (Bud) Rickabaugh and Jon (Jessica) Rickabaugh; 10 grandchildren, 4...

Gloria Y. Calvagna

Gloria Y. Calvagna

November 23, 2018

Gloria Y. Calvagna, 79, of Rockford, passed away peacefully in her home on November 23, 2018. Born December 23, 1938 in Alexandria, MN; she was the daughter of Alfred and Florence (Erickson) Johnson. She married Russell “Russ” A. Calvagna on June 30, 1962 in Rockford. A member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Gloria was a former employee of American Insurance...

Betty L. Hlavka

Betty L. Hlavka

November 23, 2018

Betty L. Hlavka, 101, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away on November 23, 2018. She was born October 18, 1917 to J. Bert and Blanche (Whittall) Woodruff. Betty graduated from Rockford High School in 1935 and from Rockford Hospital School of Nursing in 1939. She loved her nursing career, working both at Rockford Hospital and later for Dr. Wm. K Ford,...

Reva Lee Bean

Reva Lee Bean

November 23, 2018

Reva Lee (Shearon) Bean, 95, of Dexter, MO passed away peacefully on Friday, November 23, 2018, at River Bluff Nursing Home in Loves Park, Illinois. She was born June 18, 1923, in Frisco, MO, the daughter of Terry and Opal (Joseph) Shearon. She had one younger sister, Wantona Margarett, who tragically died in a train accident in 1941. Reva married...

Eugene "Gene" Allen Bankord

Eugene "Gene" Allen Bankord

November 22, 2018

Eugene “Gene” Allen Bankord, 84, of Belvidere peacefully passed away and went to heaven on November 22, 2018 surrounded by his adoring wife Cleo and family. Gene left a legacy of servanthood and devotion to his wife and family, an inspiring work ethic, creative problem solving, and an independent, kind and gentle spirit. He was deeply loved and admired by...

Robert F. Tucker

Robert F. Tucker

November 20, 2018

Robert F. Tucker, 59, of Rockford passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Mercyhealth Hospital. Born December 28, 1958, in Rockford, the son of Frank and Helen (Hawks) Tucker. Robert attended Harlem High School. Robert was a proud United States Army Veteran. Robert owned Tucker Heating and Air Conditioning with his father, Frank before handing it over to his brother,...

Vytautas "Vyt" V. Salucka

Vytautas "Vyt" V. Salucka

November 19, 2018

Vytautas “Vyt” V. Salucka, 88, of Rockford, passed away November 19, 2018 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Born July 4, 1930 in Lithuania, the son of Juozas & Marija (Jameikis) Salucka. Vyt married Silvia Zauka, in Rockford, at St. Peter & Paul Church, on January 7, 1956. Vyt worked as a draftsman at Twin Disc for forty...

Thomas "Tom" James Hockison

Thomas "Tom" James Hockison

November 18, 2018

Thomas “Tom” James Hockison, 57, Oregon, passed away Sunday, November 18, 2018, in his home. He was born October 3, 1961, in Waukesha, WI, the son of Richard and Charlotte (Mitchell) Hockison. Tom was a veteran of the Air Force. He married June Gaudreault in Oregon on July 24, 2009. He owned and operated Quality Industrial Services for many years...