April 15, 2018

Thomas “Tom” A. McKnight, 60, of Rockford passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018. Born May 2, 1957, in Rochelle, the son of Kenneth and Leila (Rippentrop) McKnight. Tom graduated from Stillman Valley High School. He married Teresa “Teri” Frank on September 5, 1996. Tom was a Testman for UTC Aerospace, formerly Sundstrand, retiring August 2017 after 39 years and a...

April 12, 2018

Margaret I. Spangler, 71, of Loves Park, passed away at PA Peterson at the Citadel on April 12, 2018. Born June 26, 1946, in Rockford, the daughter of Eugene C. & Nellie (Logli) Wilson. Graduated from Rockford East High School, class of 1964. Later she earned her Bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois and then her Master’s degree from Rockford...

April 11, 2018

Beulah L. Inness, 85, of Rockford, passed away April 11, 2018 in her home. Born November 5, 1932 in Ravenden Springs, AR; she was the daughter of George C. and Bethel J. (Fry) Wells. She married Neil E. Inness on March 30, 1950 in Ravenden Springs, AR. She was a member of Rockford East Side Church of Christ, where she...

April 10, 2018

Eleanore “Ellie” Beverly Hasley, 83, Rockford, passed away at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born January 31, 1935, in Polson, MT, the daughter of Elmer and Bess (Anderson) Sampson. Ellie graduated from Kingman Business University. Ellie married Dr. Ronald ‘Ron” K. Hasley in Polson, MT on June 10, 1956. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran...

April 8, 2018

Daniel R. Graettinger, 51, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Dan was born March 27, 1967, son of Dennis and Margaret (Judge) Graettinger. He graduated from St. Peter High School in Minnesota, class of 1985. Dan worked with Discovery Corps for over 10 years. He was devoted to his Christian life, and was especially close with his...

April 7, 2018

Robert “Bob” D. Larkins, 55, of Rockford passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018 in his home. Born February 5, 1963, in Kingsport, Tennessee, the son of James and Mary Ellen (Morrison) Larkins Sr. Bob married Lisa Keller on July 9, 2017 in Winnebago. He was a machine operator at Rocknel Fastener. Bob had a lifelong passion for music and playing...

April 7, 2018

Janet “Jan” M. Woods, 80, of Roscoe, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018. She was born December 28, 1937, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Byron and Ilene (Stoll) Middaugh. Jan grew up in Winnebago and was voted Homecoming Queen Class of 1955. Jan married David G. Woods, who preceded her in death in 2012. They owned and operated Woods...

April 7, 2018

Barbara L. Conroy, 81, of Rockford, passed away on Saturday, April 7, at Rosewood Care Center. Barbara was born on June 23, 1936 in Rockford, IL, daughter of Arthur and Cora (Wascher) Nelson. She married her husband, William T. Conroy on February 9, 1956 in Belvidere, IL. Barbara was baptized Catholic and attended St. Rita Catholic Church in Rockford. She...

April 6, 2018

Giacomo “Jack” Michael LiCausi, 72, of Estero, FL, passed away on Friday, April 6, 2018. Formerly of Rockford, IL, he had been an Estero resident for the last 3 years. He was born May 2, 1945 in Rockford, the son of Jack Philip and Esther (née Gulotta) LiCausi. Mr. LiCausi was a 21-year retired veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves...

April 5, 2018

Mildred “Mickey” Kirkpatrick, 102, or Rockford passed away April 5, 2018 under the care of the Mercyhealth Palliative Care and Hospice Units. Mickey was born Mildred Friedericke Paulina Artus on October 16, 1915 in the town of Stettin, Wisconsin, the eldest of three daughters of Frank and Amanda (Krahn) Artus. Mickey’s family moved often, and she attended various schools in...

April 5, 2018

Reverend Robert A. Balog 74, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Presence Pine View St. Charles IL. Father was born on June 4, 1943, in Aurora, Illinois, to Stephen J. and Teresa Kabai Balog. Father Balog attended Marmion Academy, Aurora, Illinois, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa; Mt. St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa; and Aquinas Institute of Theology, Dubuque, Iowa....

April 5, 2018

Wilbur R. Dempsey, 97, of Rockford, passed away April 5, 2018 at Amberwood Care Center. Born November 26, 1920 in Tamaroa; he was the son of Lawrence and Mary Dempsey. He married Carol Jones on January 7, 1956. A U.S. Army WWII Veteran, Wilbur was a member of Forest Hills Evangelical Church. He retired from Rockford Drop Forge Company after...

April 3, 2018

John Francis Kostka, 90, lifelong resident of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, listening to James Galway’s “Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and songs by The Clancy Brothers. Born in Rockford on September 27, 1927, to Walter M. and Dorothy E. Kennedy Kostka. John attended St. Thomas High School and West High. He...

April 2, 2018

LaVerne Lynch , 92, Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Verne went to join his wife Barb in heaven on April 2, 2018 at Wesley Willows with family by his side. Born December 23, 1925 in Rochelle IL, the son of LaVerne and Sara Lynch. Verne married the love of his life, Barbara Puricelli on April 23,...

April 2, 2018

Ronald J. Johnson, 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 2, 2018, knowing he was well loved. Ronald was born on December 1, 1948, son of James and Lois (McCaslin) Johnson. He graduated from West High School and served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Throughout life, Ronald was employed in the manufacturing industry having a successful career as a...

April 2, 2018

April 2, 2018

Noah S. Kelling, 20, of Kirkland, passed away Monday, April 2, 2018. He was born September 15, 1997, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Brian Kelling and Jennifer (Jimenez) Schmarje. Noah was a gifted mechanic and started working on things at a young age, following in his father’s, grandfather’s and Henry’s footsteps. He loved working on his beloved mustangs. Noah...

April 1, 2018

Marguerite S. Carlson 1923 - 2018 Magie Carlson, who passed away on April 1st at Rockford Mercyhealth Hospital, will be remembered for her faith, grace and kindness. Her sweet smile, caring compassion and thoughtfulness will be missed by all those she touched whether it was just a single encounter or a life long friend. She always made time for any...

March 31, 2018

Robert Dale Sargent, 81, of Rockford, passed away March 31, 2018 in his home. Born January 21, 1937 in Chicago; he was the son of Mildred Sargent. He married Karen L. Rosenbaum on March 7, 1983 in Las Vegas, NV. A U.S. Army Veteran, Bob spent most of his childhood days in Galesburg and Rockford. He retired from Gunite in...

March 30, 2018

Salvator “Sam” Valenza Sr. 1915-2018 of Rockford, passed away March 30, 2018. Born in San Cipirello, Sicily on October 12, 1915 to Benedetto and Rosalia (Cimino) Valenza. He lived with his parents in Sicily until he was 13 years old. In April of 1928, he immigrated, with his parents and siblings, to the United States and settled in Madison, Wisconsin....