Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
John E. Rossato Sr.
February 11, 2025
John E. Rossato Sr., 97, passed away at home on February 11, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. Born October 27, 1927, son to John and Bessie (Gibbs) Rossato. John proudly answered the call of duty at the age of 17, enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His heroic journey spanned from 1944 to 1946, he was recalled to...
Renee Suzanne Bonk
February 10, 2025
Renee Suzanne Bonk, born long enough ago that she considered herself to have lived a full life, though like many she thirsted for a little more. You knew her as Dolly, GAR, or just Renee. She never insisted on dominating the conversation and seldom raised her voice. Her manners were too good to talk over you yet somehow we lived...
Tam Thi Nguyen
February 10, 2025
Tam Thi Nguyen, a mother and grandmother above all else, sadly passed away on February 10th, 2025, at the age of 83. Although she had children of her own, Tam treated everyone as if they were her children or grandchildren. She was always there when we needed her most—offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. A friend to many, she...
Sarina A. Tillis
February 9, 2025
Sarina Ann Tillis, 93, died suddenly and peacefully in her home on February 9, 2025. Those who knew Sarina could always count on having a memorable encounter with her. She loved her family, faith and most of all any opportunity that arose to converse with family or complete strangers.
Sarina was born to Rosario and Mary (Lidestri) Giallombardo on March 4,...
Roberta A. Schacht
February 8, 2025
Roberta A. Schact, 90, passed away in Dora, Missouri on February 8, 2025. Born in Chicago, Illinois on March 2, 1934, daughter to Whalen and Katherine Hoyt. She met the love of her life, Robert Frank “Bob” Schacht Sr. and they wed on January 10, 1953, in York Center. They shared 57 wonderful years of marriage for his passing in...
Bernard R. Fritchen
February 8, 2025
Bernard “Bernie” R. Fritchen, 94, of New Milford, passed away on February 8, 2025. He was born on September 21, 1930, in Richland, Iowa, the son of William and Alvina (Weber) Fritchen. He married Janet Lee Sheetz on July 4, 1953, and together they had 5 children. Bernie grew up in rural Iowa before moving to Rockford in the 1950’s....
Michael A. McKee Jr.
February 6, 2025
Michael Anthony McKee Jr., 27, of Seguin, TX, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Michael was born on December 22, 1997, in Rockford, IL, the son of Michael and Janice (Schmidt) McKee. Michael attended Harlem High School in Machesney Park. He was very athletic and could excel at any sport. Michael absolutely loved all things Star Wars and Marvel,...
Thomas Keith Patefield
February 5, 2025
Thomas Keith Patefield, 64, of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in Zihuatanejo de Azueta, Guerrero, Mexico while savoring life.
Tom was born on February 28, 1960, in Kenosha, WI, the son of Keith and Ruth (Erickson) Patefield. He earned his associate degree in construction. Tom worked for Chrysler of Belvidere and Kenosha and was a proud Union...
Kathleen "Katie" Marie Floetl-Malooly
February 5, 2025
Kathleen “Katie” M. Floetl-Malooly, 37, of Pecatonica, passed away on February 5, 2025, in Rockford. She was born on July 4, 1987, in Evanston IL, the daughter of Jack and Mary (LaBelle) Malooly. She married Corey Floetl-Malooly on June 21, 2014, in Pecatonica.
Katie's dedication to education was evident through her role as a teacher at Montessori Private Academy. While she...
Rose J Novak
February 4, 2025
Rose J. (Ippolito) Novak, age 90, passed away on February 4, 2025. Loving wife of Dr. Richard (Dick) Novak together for 68 years, Rose was the loving mother of Catherine, Richard Jr, and James. A true matriarch of her family, children, and great grandchildren, they always came first in her life. She was our rock. Born in Gary, IN where...
Jean F. Ewaldz
February 2, 2025
Jean Frederick Ewaldz, 88, of Rockford, passed away February 2, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 22, 1936, in Rockford, the son of Harold E. & Carolyn “Pat” (DeCamp) Ewaldz. He graduated from West High School, class of 1954. Jean enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served as a SP5 missile guidance systems...
Linda June Palmer
February 1, 2025
Linda June Palmer, 81, Rockford, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born on June 5, 1943, in Orange, CA, the daughter of Allan and Carmen Ruth (Berkner) Carstensen. Linda married Keith Palmer in March 1963, in California.
Survived by her loving husband of almost 62 years, Keith; her sons, Keith (JoAnne) Palmer,...
Lance R. Jacobsen
January 31, 2025
Lance R. Jacobsen, 84, passed away at home on January 31, 2025 in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Chicago, Illinois on April 10, 1940, son to Richard and Irma (Beilstin) Jacobsen. He went on to attend Scammon Grammer School and graduate from Lane Technical High School. He spent two years at Wright Junior College in Chicago before going to the U.S....
Mark R. Culhane
January 30, 2025
Mark Robidoux Culhane (1949 to 2025)
Mark Culhane was an incredible storyteller, musician, and actor who loved poetry, film, and history. He was also a beloved speech teacher at Rock Valley College. Mark Culhane died at home on January 30th, 2025, in Machesney Park, Illinois.
Mark Culhane was a native son of Rockford, Illinois. He was born at Rockford Memorial Hospital in...
Ginny Lee Baxter
January 29, 2025
Ginny Lee Baxter
June 2, 1943 – January 29, 2025
Ginny Lee Baxter, age 81, of Loves Park, Illinois passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025, at Maple Crest Care Center. She was born on June 2, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois to Dorothy and Ralph “Buck” Baxter. She was a gifted and caring English teacher at Jefferson High School in Rockford, Illinois,...
Verlee M. Kassel
January 29, 2025
Verlee Kassel, 83, of Rockford, IL, passed away on January 29, 2025 at Alpine Fireside Health Center.
She was born on September 4, 1941, in Elizabeth, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Violet (Winter) Hesselbacher. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1959. Verlee always wanted to be a nurse and obtained her Nursing Degree from Freeport Memorial Hospital in 1962....
Kent R. Bradle
January 28, 2025
Kent “Doc” R. Bradle, 74, of Stillman Valley, passed away on January 28, 2025. He was born on December 12, 1950, in Rockford, the son of Raymond and Myrtle (Taylor) Bradle. Kent had a lifelong career at ComEd. He had a passion for riding motorcycles and worked as a manager in the parts department at Kegel Harley Davidson for over...
Mary L. Peila
January 27, 2025
Mary Louise Peila, 98, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Ascension St. Anne Place.
Mary was born on January 13, 1927, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Goerge and Opal (Horr) Cullen. She proudly graduated from St. James School and attended Muldoon High School. She married Albert Peila on August 23, 1947, at St. James Catholic Church...
Rebecca "Becky" Nelson
January 26, 2025
Rebecca “Becky” Nelson, 66, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025. Born in Rockford, IL on July 19th of 1958 to David and Betty (Jaques) Nelson, Becky was a lifelong Rockford area resident and graduated from Byron High School in 1976. She went on to attend Evangel University in Missouri, earning her bachelor’s degree. She later earned...
John Z. Szleszinski
January 25, 2025
John Z. Szleszinski, 85, passed away at home on January 25, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. Born on August 26, 1939, in Strickland, Wisconsin, son to Felix and Anna (Schowron) Szleszinski. He graduated from Weyerhaeuser High School in 1957, and on October 10, 1959 he married the love of his life, Ruth Peterson. Together, they built a life in Rockford, Illinois...
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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.
