Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Adam B. Swanson

Adam B. Swanson

December 18, 2015

Adam B. Swanson, 23, Roscoe, died at home on December 18, 2015. He was born on July 31, 1992, the son of Brent and Nancy Swanson. He graduated from Hononegah High School in 2010. He worked on and off in the food industry and attended classes at the University of Dubuque and Rock Valley College. He loved fishing and flying....

Donald E.  "Don" Crews

Donald E. "Don" Crews

December 18, 2015

Donald E. “Don” Crews, 81, Rockford, passed away at home on Friday, December 18, 2015. He was born June 12, 1934, in Chrisney, IN, the son of Louis and Helen (Schriefer) Crews. Don graduated from Boonville High School, Class of 1953. Don served in the Naval Reserves. He was a graduate of Lane Technical Institute in Evansville, IN and attended...

Silas R. Friesen

Silas R. Friesen

December 18, 2015

Silas R. Friesen, 70, of Rockford, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015 at St. Anne’s Center. Born March 17, 1945, in Washington DC, the son of Silas and Virginia (Gray) Friesen. Silas was a veteran serving in the United States Army. He married Joanne Arendt on December 1, 1972. He worked for Illinois Bell as a plant assigner and in...

Winona Joyce Himstedt

Winona Joyce Himstedt

December 18, 2015

Winona Joyce Himstedt, 83 Winona J. Himstedt, formerly of Eddyville, KY, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 18, 2015 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. She was born in Decatur, IL on March 24, 1932 to parents Floyd and Mae (Brule) Walton. She married Roger P. Himstedt on January 6, 1951. Following his service in the Korean War, Winona...

Mary Jane Stilwell

Mary Jane Stilwell

December 18, 2015

Mary Jane Stilwell,87 Rockford—Mary Jane Stilwell, nee White,87 of Rockford died Friday, December 18, 2015 at home. Born August 9, 1928 in Chicago, IL to George and Marion White. Married John A. Stilwell formerly of Palatine on March 21, 1953. Mary Jane had her own alteration business along with her love of making quilts and other needlework. Mary Jane was...

William  E. "Sonny" Robinson

William E. "Sonny" Robinson

December 18, 2015

William E. “Sonny” Robinson, 96 Rockford - William E. “Sonny” Robinson, 96, passed away Friday, December 18, 2015 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born November 15, 1919 the son of William A. & Blenda (Brolin) Robinson. Lifelong resident of Rockford. Graduated from Rockford Central High School, class of 1939 and enjoyed sports. Married Lila Carlson on February 14, 1942...

William John Eilders

William John Eilders

December 17, 2015

William John Eilders, 78, of Rockford, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015, at OSF Saint Anthony Hospital. Bill was born on November 16, 1937, in Freeport, IL; to parents, John and Berniece Eilders. He graduated from Lena High School in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ann Gartner on June 24, 1956. At this time, Bill was enlisted...

Obadiah Black

Obadiah Black

December 16, 2015

LOVING FATHER AND UNCLE Obadiah Black, 78, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. He was born in Jonestown, Mississippi; to parents, Leon Benjamin Baseman and Ellen Black. He lived in Streator, IL for many years before moving to Rockford in 1971. Obadiah worked for many years at Tote Cart in Rockford, as well as Store Clerk at...

Harold Lewis Ray

Harold Lewis Ray

December 16, 2015

Harold Lewis Ray, 71 Rockford - Harold Lewis Ray, 71, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015, in his home surrounded by his loving family. Born November 15, 1944, in Rockford, the son of Peers and Mary Elizabeth (Stocking) Ray. Graduated from Rockford East High School, class of 1962. He went on to receive his BA from Illinois Wesleyan University in...

Margaret M Morig

Margaret M Morig

December 15, 2015

Margaret M. Morig, 93, of Rockford died Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at Alden Debis Sub Acute Rehab Center. Born October 26, 1922 in Rockford the daughter of John and Ruth (Meyer) Widen. Graduate of Rockford Central High School and married her loving husband, Carlyle Morig. Margaret was a member of Court Street United Methodist Church for over 60 years and...

Nancy Jeanne Viederis

Nancy Jeanne Viederis

December 14, 2015

Nancy Jeanne Viederis 71 of Roscoe passed away Monday December 14, 2015 in her home. She was born June 29, 1944 in Rockford, the daughter of Adam and Mona Horzempa. She worked as a produce manager for Hilander Foods. Survivors include her children, Ron (Barb) Viederis, Tracy Palumbo, Pat (Deb) Viederis, Lisa Offenheiser, Kellie Offenheiser and David Offenheiser. Grandchildren, Adam...

Antoinette M. 'Toni" Cassioppi

Antoinette M. 'Toni" Cassioppi

December 14, 2015

Antoinette Marie “Toni” Cassioppi, 86, Rockford, passed away Monday, December 14, 2015, at River Bluff Nursing Home. She was born July 10, 1929, in Rockford, the daughter of John and Anna Cassioppi. Toni was a graduate of Muldoon Catholic High School. She worked as a secretary for Dr. Quinn for many years. Toni enjoyed playing Bridge and playing Canasta with...

Uriah Ryan Rux

Uriah Ryan Rux

December 14, 2015

Beloved Son, Grandson, Nephew and Bass Player Uriah Ryan Rux, 29, of Rockford, left us too soon on Monday, December 14, 2015. He was born in Rockford on September 16, 1986; to parents Darwin Rux and Laura Evans Lockett. Uriah graduated from Auburn High School in 2005. He was an avid reader, and an intelligent guy who has always had...

Joan L. Larson

Joan L. Larson

December 13, 2015

Joan L. Larson, born August 24, 1952, passed away December 13, 2015 in her home. Survived by her beloved partner, LeRoy Raymond; daughter, Paula Kirchner; granddaughter, Hope Kirchner; also several brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Avenue. Visitation...

John S.  Hojnacki

John S. Hojnacki

December 13, 2015

John S. Hojnacki, 86, of Rockford died Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. Born Nov. 10, 1929 in Chicago. Survived by his significant other, Marianne Tomaszkiewicz and his brother, Walter Hojnacki. All services are private and family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory.

Mitzi Lynn Diverdi

Mitzi Lynn Diverdi

December 13, 2015

Mitzi L. DiVerdi, 48, of Loves Park, was welcomed home on Sunday, December 13, 2015. She was born in Rockford on March 28, 1967; to parents Alex and Connie (Klockenga) DiVerdi. Mitzi graduated from Guilford High School in 1986. Mitzi was very creative and crafty, she worked for Craftworld at Colonial Village for many years. Mitzi also took pride in...

Michael  P Lewis

Michael P Lewis

December 8, 2015

Michael Lewis, 64, of Rockford passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 in his home. Born September 15, 1951 in Rockford, the son of Gene & Doris (Carroll) Lewis. A Harlem High School Alumni. He started his own company, Town & County Building Maintenance. Married Vicki Thompson on July 20, 2014. He enjoyed music, dancing, fishing, camping, the Chicago Cubs and...

Ethel B. Landis

Ethel B. Landis

December 8, 2015

Ethel B. Landis (nee Brubaker), 90, Rockford, formerly of Edina, MN and Camp Hill, PA, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2015, at Wesley Willows Health Center. She was born January 11, 1925, in Lancaster, PA, the 8th child of 11 children of Andrew Landis Brubaker and Vernetta Eshelman Brubaker. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert H. Landis, on...

Donald H Gray

Donald H Gray

December 7, 2015

Donald H. Gray, 76, of Esmond passed away Monday, December 7, 2015. Born March 24, 1939, in Marcus, Iowa, the son of Donald E. and Della (Juhl) Gray. Donald married JoAnn Schmidt on December 17, 1960 in Elgin. He was a train master for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. He was an amateur Ham Radio operator and past Vice President...