Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
Roland J. Gudie
Apr 6, 2024
Roland Gudie, 84 of Rockford, Il, died peacefully on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, at UW Swedish American Hospital. Ron was born June 14, 1939, in La Crosse, WI to Walter and Millie Gudie. Ron married Janet Miller in 1980. Janet preceded him in death on August 5th, 2015. Ron graduated in 1958 from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, WI....
Patricia E. Atkinson
Apr 6, 2024
Patricia "Pat" Atkinson, 88, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024. She was born in Rockford, IL on April 3, 1936, daughter of Emmett and Myrtle (Warner) Alex. She attended grade school at Morris Kennedy and graduated from East High School in Rockford. Pat married William "Bill" Atkinson on January 3, 1964 and they shared 60 years of marriage before Bill's...
Richard F. Gerdeman Jr.
Apr 4, 2024
Deacon Richard F. Gerdeman Jr., 81, of Rockford, passed away on April 4, 2024.
Richard was born in Lima, Ohio, on July 11, 1942, the son of Richard F. and Rosemary (Schimpf) Gerdeman. He married Sharon (Colgrove) Gerdeman on January 30, 1965, in Winamac, Indiana. Richard's journey was a remarkable one, filled with dedication, compassion, and service. After serving his country in...
Larry L. Espy
Apr 3, 2024
Larry L. Espy, 87, of Rockford, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away at home on April 3, 2024, surrounded by his family. Larry was born in Centerville, Iowa, on December 7, 1936, the oldest of seven children to Delmar and Ione (McDaniel) Espy. Larry led a remarkable life full of love, dedication, and service. He served...
Joyce V. Gilbertson
Apr 3, 2024
Joyce Verna Gilbertson, 93, Rockford, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Generations at Neighbors, Byron. Born June 3, 1930 in Clam Falls, WI, daughter of Edward and Irene (Gourlie) VerHagen. Her dad owned a farm and cheese factory where Joyce milked cows by hand every morning at 5:00 a.m. and then went on a milk route for the cheese...
Susan K. Spink
Apr 2, 2024
Susan K. (Cole) Spink, 67, of Pecatonica, IL, peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home on April 2, 2024, in Pecatonica. Susan was born on November 26, 1956, to Norman and Shirley (Sansom) Cole. She was a proud graduate of East High School in 1974. Susan married her best friend, Charles Spink on April 16,1987 and settled into...
Karen S. Hatter
Apr 2, 2024
Karen S. Hatter, 67, of Rockford, IL passed away on April 2, 2024, of natural causes after living a full life. She was born in Syracuse, NY, daughter to Raymond and Mary (Axtmann) Hatter. She was raised in Liverpool, NY and graduated from the Liverpool High School class of 1974. After living in beautiful upstate New York for many years...
Serafina Cicero
Mar 31, 2024
Serafina “Sally” Cicero, 86, passed away peacefully on Easter morning, March 31, 2024, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a brief illness.
She was born August 9, 1937, in Rockford, to Anthony and Josephine LaMendola. After high school, she attended nursing school in Chicago, and married Salvatore “Sam” Cicero on October 4, 1958. Sally went on to have a long...
Geraldine Elswick
Mar 30, 2024
Geraldine (Gerri) M. Elswick, Age 97Loving Wife, Mother and GrandmaGeraldine Elswick passed away on March 30, 2024, in Rockford, Ill. She was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Cedar County, Neb., to Paul Edwin and Alma (Carlson) Paulson. She married Richard B. Elswick at Pella Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 31, 1961. Prior to her marriage she was employed by...
Christopher Shane Muse
Mar 29, 2024
Christopher “Shane” Muse, 41, died March 29, 2024. A devoted combat veteran who served with the 18th Airborne Corps 3rd Battalion, 321 Field Artillery Regiment who served two tours, Afghanistan and Iraq. Tragically, he succumbed to the invisible wounds of war, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice. His courage and love endure in the hearts of those he...
Linda J. Sherwood
Mar 29, 2024
Linda J. Sherwood died on March 29, 2024, after a long illness. Linda was born on November 27, 1948, in Belvidere, Illinois to parents Edward and Isabel Myers. She was the youngest of three children. Linda grew up in Cherry Valley, Illinois and attended Guilford High School. She went on to work for Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford for...
Marilyn R. Dean
Mar 28, 2024
Marilyn R. Dean, 95, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2024. She was born on June 20, 1928, to Frank and Gladys Ozier. Marilyn was known for her loving nature, generosity, and passion for helping others. She enjoyed traveling, singing in choirs, and volunteering at church and in the community. Marilyn was a devoted grandmother who loved creating...
Edwin "Ed" W. Matus
Mar 28, 2024
Edwin “Ed” W. Matus, 94, of Rockford, passed away on March 28, 2024, in Cape Coral, Florida. He was born on March 11, 1930, in Rockford, the son of William and Marcella (Janovic) Matus. He graduated from West High School, class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1949-1951. He married Ida Dallosto on December...
Jay P. Larson
Mar 27, 2024
Jay Peter Larson, age 49, of Rockford, IL, was called to heaven by our Lord on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
He was born in Rockford, IL on December 18, 1974, a gift from God to loving parents, Peter and Marianne (Poli) Larson. He graduated from Boylan Catholic High School and went on to complete his Undergraduate Degree from Benedictine University.
A homegrown Rockfordian through and through, he found his calling...
Vonnie L. Scarpetta
Mar 27, 2024
Vonnie L. Scarpetta, 88, of Rockford, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many, passed away on March 27, 2024, at OSF Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. Vonnie was born on December 29, 1935, in Phil Campbell, Alabama. The daughter of Harley and Lillie (Graves) McMurry. She married Angelo Scarpetta in 1960. They shared 49 years of marriage before...
Ronald A. Oldejans
Mar 27, 2024
Ron Oldejans passed away on March 27. He was born in Belvidere to Roelof and Ruby Oldejans on August 25, 1942. Ron attended Logan Elementary School, Belvidere High School, and graduated with an Associate Degree from Rockford Business School. He served in the National Guard Army for six years. He was married to Eileen Castronovo for fifty-seven years. They had...
Benjamin "Ben" A. Pflederer
Mar 25, 2024
Benjamin “Ben” A. Pflederer, 79, of Rockford, Illinois passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024. Born on March 5th of 1945 to parents Aquilla and Helen (Schmid) Pflederer in the small town of Tremont, Illinois.
Ben was a member of Church of the Nazarene in Rockford, IL. He worked most of his life as an electrical engineer with many companies, most...
Jessica L. Bennett
Mar 24, 2024
A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road Rockford, Illinois 61108. A visitation will be prior to the service starting at 10:30 a.m.
Dianne Lynette Hertzner
Mar 23, 2024
Dianne Lynnette Hertzner was born June 23, 1971 and fell asleep in death surrounded by family on March 23, 2024 after a long brave battle with a chronic kidney disease.Dianne was adopted as an infant and was immediately blessed with loving parents, Francy and Bob Johnston, later connecting with her biological parents, Cecilia and Bob Mchoes. Through her childhood this...
Vincent V. Verace
Mar 23, 2024
Vincent V. Verace, 92, Rockford, passed away on March 23, 2024, in Belvidere. He was born on February 22, 1932, in Rockford, the son of Vincenzo and Josephine (Gulotta) Verace. Vince graduated from West High School in 1950 where he was captain of the swim team and made many lifelong friends.
He met his wife Gloria M. Ruefer, 1951 Muldoon graduate,...
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Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. offers a collection of obituaries for Rockford, IL & Winnebago County. With services throughout Illinois that are updated regularly. Find local Rockford, Illinois obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
