Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

August 15, 2024

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe, 76 of Cherry Valley, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Born to parents Roger and Eileen (Welter) Sabbe in Rockford, IL on January 19, 1948.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; sister, Diane (Michael) Rohrbacher; and many nieces and nephews. 

No services will be held at this time to respect Ron's wishes. To send online condolences...

John Ray Olesen

John Ray Olesen

August 15, 2024

John Ray Olesen, of Loves Park, born to Rasmus and Vera Olesen, grew up in Winnebago, IL. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on August 15, at the age of 82. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and hard work. Born on August 6, 1943, John attended Clark University, then married Joyce (Bonnie Bea)...

Kathleen E. Carlson

Kathleen E. Carlson

August 14, 2024

Kathleen E. Carlson, 52, Belvidere, IL, passed away on Wednesday August 14, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 15, 1971, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Norman and Martha (Peper) Carlson. Kathleen married her longtime partner, Michelle, on February 9, 2015. 

At an early age, Kathleen was interested in sports and was on local...

Ingeborg T. Schwarz

Ingeborg T. Schwarz

August 13, 2024

Ingeborg T. (Isenberg) Schwarz, age 90, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024.

Inge was born in Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany, on October 27, 1933, the only child of Karl and Helene (Quarenheim) Isenberg. In August 1953, her uncle Walter and aunt Daisy Isenberg sponsored the family to immigrate to the United States. They resided in Stratford, Connecticut. Inge first...

Jasper Anthony Rotello

Jasper Anthony Rotello

August 13, 2024

Jasper “Jerry” Anthony Rotello, 83, of Rockford, passed away on August 13, 2024, at Medina Nursing Home in Durand. He was born on June 24, 1941, in Rockford, the son of Joseph and Mary (DiBella) Rotello. Jerry graduated from West High School, class of 1959 and attended Loyola University in Chicago, graduating in 1963. He served in the US Army,...

Thomas Joseph Bacino

Thomas Joseph Bacino

August 9, 2024

Thomas “Tom” Joseph Bacino, 82, Rockford, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at Allure of Pinecrest surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 10, 1942, in Rockford, the son of Joseph and Mary (Spinello) Bacino. Tom married Sandy Fasula in Rockford on June 1, 1963. He worked as a Production Manager for Courier Printing until his retirement. He...

Sheila Whitehouse

Sheila Whitehouse

August 7, 2024

Sheila passed peacefully surrounded by love on the morning of Wednesday, August 7th. She was born Tuesday, December 29th, 1942, in England and moved to the US in 1969. Sheila (Mom, Nanny) had a deep love for many things including her family, her cats and her garden. She also loved to dance, laugh until she cried, listen to and sing...

Donald Hatcher

Donald Hatcher

August 6, 2024

Donald Hatcher, 80, the most interesting man of Cherry Valley, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, after a short battle. He was born on June 15, 1944, in Rocky Branch, Tennessee. 

Don worked at ABAR Ipsen for 30 years before retiring. He loved to fish, dance, and go to garage sales and flea markets. He was very good at wheeling...

Henry K. Skrzypczak

Henry K. Skrzypczak

August 3, 2024

 Henry K. Skrzypczak, 90, passed away at home on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Born on July 1, 1934, in Poland, son to Adam and Mary (Brychcy) Skrzypczak. During WWII, he deported with his parents to Siberia, then lived in Africa for six years with mother and siblings in a Displaced Persons camp (Tengeru, Tanzania). Afterwards, in England he went to...

Thomas "Tom" L. Swank

Thomas "Tom" L. Swank

August 2, 2024

Thomas “Tom” L. Swank, 83, Stillman Valley, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 19, 1941, in Racine, WI, the son of Lyle and Maxine (Marker) Swank. Tom was a graduate of Freeport High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Ottawa, KS and his master’s...

Anita Marie Nanni

Anita Marie Nanni

August 2, 2024

Anita Marie Nanni, 88, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2024. 

Anita was born in Rockford on September 20, 1935, daughter of Frank and Nancy (Gulotta) Giardono. She graduated from West High School and worked as a receptionist for Dr. Frederick Dietz at the Rockford Clinic for many dedicated years. She married Peter D. Nanni on July 18, 1953....

Neil E. Hamilton

Neil E. Hamilton

August 1, 2024

Neil E. Hamilton, 92, passed away on August 1, 2024. He was born January 10, 1932, in Sterling, IL to Edna R. (Johnson) and Richard O. Hamilton. Neil married Nancy A. Smith on October 12, 1957, in Janesville, Wisconsin. He attended the Rockford School District first through twelfth grade, graduating from West Senior High in 1949. Joined the U.S. Army...

Marlene A. Carlson

Marlene A. Carlson

August 1, 2024

Marlene A. (Nelson) Carlson, 81, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, after a long and difficult battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on September 24, 1942, the daughter of Verner and Mary (Powilaites) Nelson. She married Dennis Carlson on May 5, 1961, in Rockford where they raised two children.

She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church...

Lorraine Louise Silberman

Lorraine Louise Silberman

July 31, 2024

Lorraine Louise Silberman (nee Stoltz), age 93, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. She was born May 9, 1931, in Keyesville, Wisconsin to John and Elizabeth (nee Doyle) Stoltz and was raised on a dairy farm. Lorraine was the youngest of eight children, Ed, Leo, Mary, Marcella, Rose, Joe, and Veronica. She attended St. Mary's grade...

Crystal Dawn Raines

Crystal Dawn Raines

July 31, 2024

Crystal Dawn Raines, 54, Rockford, passed away in her home on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. She was born in Sandwich, the daughter of Robert and Joyce (Boreman) Raines, Sr. Crystal worked for XPO, now GXO since 2016. Prior to that she worked for Ecco Lab. 

Survived by her father, Robert Raines, Sr.; her brother, Robert Jr. and her sister, Deborah (Jeff)...

John A. York

John A. York

July 31, 2024

John A. "Butch" York, passed away on July 31, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loved ones after a long courageous battle. Born on October 10, 1943, in Rockford, son of Austin and Mary York. John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

John was a hardworking roofer, and foreman with Carlson Roofing for over 43 years....

James "Danny" Martin

James "Danny" Martin

July 31, 2024

James “Danny” Martin, 81, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2024. Born June 19, 1943, Danny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and cherished friend.

Danny's life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to family, tradition, and the values he held dear. He was a passionate golfer and over the years he could often be...

Jennifer Marie Copeland

Jennifer Marie Copeland

July 31, 2024

Jennifer Marie (Atkinson) Copeland, a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, stepmom, step grandma, and godmother passed away on July 31, 2024.

Jennifer was born on May 31, 1969, to Patricia (Bowler) Atkinson and David Atkinson in Rockford, IL.

After Jennifer graduated from Boylan High School she continued her education in childcare. After receiving her degree in Early childhood development, Jennifer opened her...

Harold Henry Heeren

Harold Henry Heeren

July 31, 2024

Harold Henry Heeren, 82, of Caledonia, died peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. He was born June 27, 1942, in Milford, IL. He was the son of Elmer and Marie (Kietzman) Heeren. Harold attended Wartburg College and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a...

Margaret M. Amerine

Margaret M. Amerine

July 27, 2024

Margaret M. Amerine, 92, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 27, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born on May 31, 1932, the daughter of Samuel Marino and Virginia Caruana. She married Rowan Amerine in Rockford on July 17, 1959. They raised four children together until he passed away in 1986. They were married for 27 years.

When Margaret...