Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Michael "Mike" A. Paun

Michael "Mike" A. Paun

June 21, 2024

Michael ‘Mike’ A. Paun, 63, of Caledonia passed away at home on Friday, June 21, 2024, from cardiac complications. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on August 10, 1960, to Frank and Virginia (Larson) Paun, the youngest of three boys. Mike graduated from Guilford High School in 1979 and attended the University of Arizona, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. He...

Patricia Calabrese

Patricia Calabrese

June 21, 2024

Patricia Calabrese nee Drew was born in Cornwall, England, to Orlando—a WWI veteran and businessman—and Nellie Drew. She and her younger brother Denis grew up in the same village as the later-famous British writer, Daphne de Maurier, and her family. 

As a child, Patricia endured the horrors of the Second World War, at times taking shelter while bombs rained on her...

Raymond Lukasik

Raymond Lukasik

June 19, 2024

Raymond “Ray” Lukasik, 92, of Rockford, Illinois, died suddenly on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. 

 Ray lived a long full life. Growing up in Canton, IL the youngest of 11 children, Ray knew hard work at a young age. His steadfast work habits began at the age of 11 when he was employed to work in a butcher shop (a position he...

Karen Miner

Karen Miner

June 19, 2024

The Celebration of Life venue has changed, please check the end of the obituary for updated information. 

Karen Marie Miner, 87, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. Born on August 25, 1936, to parents Gerald and Mabel (Christofferson) Peterson in Sterling, Illinois. She moved to the Rockford area and dedicated over 40 years to her career at...

Andrea Gustafson

Andrea Gustafson

June 18, 2024

Andrea Gustafson, 82, of Cherry Valley, IL, passed away on June 18, 2024. She was born on June 6, 1942, in Oglesby, IL, raised in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of Bernard and Angela (Salawa) Eichelkraut. She married Sven “Gus” Gustafson on November 18, 1967, and he preceded her in death on August 23, 2016. She earned her nursing degree from...

David V. Bloomstrand

David V. Bloomstrand

June 15, 2024

David V. Bloomstrand, 86, of Rockford, IL, passed away at home on June 15, 2024.

Dave was born on March 18, 1938, the first son of Vernon and Magdalene “Madge” Bloomstrand in Chicago, IL. He graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1956 and went to college in Bloomington-Normal, IL where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University...

Jo Ann Schultheis

Jo Ann Schultheis

June 11, 2024

Jo Ann Schultheis,79, Rockford, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday June 11, 2024. Born October 29, 1944 in Buffalo, NY, daughter of Delos and Algreta (Knudson) Wilkinson. The family moved to East Bloomfield, NY where Delos owned an Insurance Agency and Algreta was the P. E. Instructor at the local high school. Jo Ann graduated from the East Bloomfield, NY High...

Michael L. Carlson

Michael L. Carlson

June 10, 2024

Michael “Mike” Lynn Carlson, 59, of Rockford, passed away on June 10, 2024. He was born on December 2, 1964, in Rockford, the son of Jerald and Sandra (Meyer) Carlson. He married Anna Neubauer on May 7, 1993, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike enjoyed golfing, driving his Tesla, and could always be found with a diet pop with a lemon....

Patricia J. LaMontagna

Patricia J. LaMontagna

June 8, 2024

Patricia JoAnn LaMontagna passed away peacefully on Saturday June 8th, 2024, by her family and friends.

Patricia was born on January 31st, 1947, to Eleanor Ciancanelli in Chicago, IL. She was adopted as an infant by John J. (Rose) Paolella and personally chosen by her older brother John M. Paolella who desperately wanted a little sister. Patty, as she was called...

Rose J. Mastroianni

Rose J. Mastroianni

June 7, 2024

Rose J. Mastroianni, 81, Winnebago, died peacefully in her home, on Friday, June 7, 2024. Born June 10, 1942, in Rockford, daughter of Alfred J. and Myrtle E. Doonan Schopf.   Graduated from St. Patrick Grade School and was a 1960 graduate of Muldoon High School.  Married Gerald F. Mastroianni in St. Patrick Church on April 4, 1964, and had...

Corinne M. Sachs

Corinne M. Sachs

June 6, 2024

Born Corinne Gay McCanna just before her twin sister on a very hot August day, to Romana and Edward McCanna, she left us early in the morning on June 6, 2024. The twins’ childhood was well documented by their father EP, including many summer vacations in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. She loved being outdoors and was quite an athlete, she ice...

James Richard Dahlgren

James Richard Dahlgren

June 5, 2024

James “Jim” R. Dahlgren, 80, passed away on June 5, 2024. Born on February 22, 1944, son to Evar and Vera (Olson) Dahlgren. Jim would grow up to be a man of extraordinary courage and unwavering determination. He graduated from East High School in 1963 and immediately joined the U.S. Army serving from 1964 through 1966 during Vietnam. Once returning...

Patricia M. Cutright

Patricia M. Cutright

June 5, 2024

Patricia “Trish” M. Cutright, age 75, of Rockton, IL, passed away at home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Patricia was born on April 21, 1949 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Ernfred and Iva Mae (Kniskern) Olson. She earned her associate’s degree in business from Rockford business college. She married Ricky D. Cutright on June 22, 1985, at Salem Lutheran Church....

Debra Lucille Watson

Debra Lucille Watson

June 5, 2024

Debra Lucille Watson, 71, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in her home. She was born August 27, 1952, in Rockford, the daughter of Harold and Fern (Williams) Lowry. Debra married John “Lynn” Watson in Rockford. She was a Quality Control Inspector for Forest City Machine and later with Rockford Tool Craft until her retirement.

Survived by her husband, Lynn...

Joyce Alice Mary Sutherland-Forsythe

Joyce Alice Mary Sutherland-Forsythe

June 4, 2024

Joyce Alice Mary Sutherland-Forsythe, of Rockford & Mackinaw, IL, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford, Illinois.

 Joyce was born May 29, 1926, Norwich, Norfolk, England to Florence Mary Holder and John Arthur Sutherland. She married Gerald Franklin Forsythe, December 16, 1944, in Norwich-Norfolk, England. Surviving are; daughter, Jo Anne (Louis) Ferroli of Machesney Park, son,...

John M. Hammer

John M. Hammer

June 4, 2024

John M. Hammer, 88, passed away at his home in Rockford, IL on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Born on March 8th of 1936 in Rockford, IL to parents John H. and Ida M. (Olson) Hammer. John graduated from West High School in 1954 and soon after met the love of his life, Virginia, at a grocery store they were both...

Andrea R. Koteski

Andrea R. Koteski

June 3, 2024

Andrea Renea Koteski, 47, of St. Charles, IL died peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024 in her home.  Born June 29, 1976 in Rockford, daughter of Thomas C. Koteski and Margery Caruana Koteski.  

Survivors include her loving partner Bob and their child, J., her mother, sister, brother and a large extended family. Predeceased by her father and beloved grandparents Josephine...

Ronald "Ron" T. Schwarz

Ronald "Ron" T. Schwarz

June 3, 2024

Ronald “Ron” T. Schwarz, 67, Rockford, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, surrounded by family after a very courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  He was diagnosed only months after his retirement in 2021.  

Ron was born December 29, 1956, in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Horst and Ingeborg  (Isenberg) Schwarz.  Ron received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from...

Charles L. Martin

Charles L. Martin

June 3, 2024

Charles “Chuck” L. Martin, age 80, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024. 

Chuck was born in Brodhead, WI on July 31, 1943, the son of Lawrence Thomas and Blanch Elaine (Vickers) Martin. He graduated from Freeport High School, Class of 1961. Chuck was the proud owner and operator of C. Martin and Sons Well Drilling for over...

Lori J. Vogeler

Lori J. Vogeler

June 1, 2024

Lori Vogeler, 71, of Rockford, passed away on June 1, 2024. She was born on July 29, 1952, in Rochelle, IL, the daughter of Verlis and Eleanor (Bolthouse) Vogeler.

She grew up on a farm in Ashton, IL and completed her education at Illinois State University. After graduation, she moved to Rockford and worked for many years at both Sundstrand and...