Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Charles "Chuck" Richard Poffenbaugh

Charles "Chuck" Richard Poffenbaugh

October 27, 2022

Charles “Chuck” Richard Poffenbaugh, 85, Rockford, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 27, 2022. He was born on July 13, 1937, in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Charles Wesley and Marion Kathryn (Kerwin) Poffenbaugh. He received a master's degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. Chuck married Carolyn Culbertson on November 9, 1963, in...

John J. Johnsen Jr.

John J. Johnsen Jr.

October 26, 2022

John J. Johnsen Jr., “The Captain” (74), of Rockton, IL passed away on October 26, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 23, 1948, in Moline IL, the son of John J. and Helen (Rohrer) Johnsen Sr..

John was a proud E-Rab, graduating in 1967. He served his country in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Decatur...

Judith L. Schmitt

Judith L. Schmitt

October 23, 2022

Judy was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1942, the seventh of twelve children to Elmer and Mildred Bea. Judy’s family moved to Rockford when she was very young. Judy graduated from Bishop Muldoon in 1960. Later she moved to California where she met Norbert. After only 6 weeks they married on December 9, 1961 in Vallejo, CA. They enjoyed 60...

Charles L. Jenner

Charles L. Jenner

October 22, 2022

Charles "Chuck" L. Jenner, 74, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Oct. 22, 2022, peacefully in his home.

Chuck was born on Dec. 1, 1947, to Karl and Dorothy Jenner of Walnut IL. After graduating from high school in 1966 he joined the US Navy. He served on the USS Forrestal during the Vietnam War. After serving 4 years in the...

Sylvia Ann Ramos

Sylvia Ann Ramos

October 22, 2022

Sylvia Ann Ramos, 72, of Rockford, passed away on October 22, 2022, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on October 9, 1950, in Lytle, Texas, the daughter of Omero and Manuela (Gamboa) Chapa. She married Enrique Ramos in 1972.

Sylvia was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed going to the casino and...

Reverend Salvatore J. Guagliardo

Reverend Salvatore J. Guagliardo

October 21, 2022

Reverend Salvatore J. Guagliardo died on Friday, October 21, 2022 at St. Anne Place in Rockford, where he was a resident.

Father was born on May 4, 1929 in Rockford, IL, to Margaret and Vincent Guagliardo. Father Guagliardo attended the University of Illinois, Normal, IL (1951-52). He then attended St. Ambrose College, Davenport, IA (1952-55). Father then attended St. Mary Seminary,...

Barbara M. Carlson

Barbara M. Carlson

October 21, 2022

Barbara Carlson, age 88, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Salt Lake City, UT passed away on October 21, 2022.

Born September 3, 1934, in Rockford, and named Barbara Mary Gridley, she was the daughter of Everett and Mary (Cole) Gridley. She attended Rockford West High School. Barbara moved to Salt Lake City and lived independently for many years, working for Mountain...

Mary C. Thomas

Mary C. Thomas

October 20, 2022

Mary C. Thomas, 92, of Rockford, passed away on October 20, 2022. She was born on August 30, 1930, in Chicago, the daughter of James E. and Catherine M. (Furlong) Davy. She graduated from Trinity High School, class of 1948, then attended Mundelein College earning her bachelor’s degree in Speech. She married John F. Thomas in Berwyn, IL, on June...

Lyle A. Bleile

Lyle A. Bleile

October 20, 2022

Lyle A. Bleile, 89, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2022.

Lyle was born in Balltown, Iowa on July 23, 1933, son of Alfred N. and Lucille M. (Mesch) Bleile. He married Valia M. (Pro) Bleile on January 12, 1957. Lyle was employed for Amerock cabinet hardware manufacturing for 51 years until his retirement. He was very dedicated to...

Donald E. Wallgren

Donald E. Wallgren

October 18, 2022

Donald Elmer Wallgren, 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, with family at his side.

He was born January 26, 1931, in Rockford to C. Elmer and Anna Wallgren. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, and eventually attended Rock Valley College, earning a two-year degree in electrical engineering. He married Maryella (Elsie) Wallgren on December 26, 1954.

Don repaired household...

James K. Buchanan

James K. Buchanan

October 17, 2022

James K. Buchanan passed away Monday, October 17, 2022, in Rockford. Born December 7, 1935, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to James D. Buchanan and Mary Helen King Buchanan. Jim joined the United State Airforce serving 4 years active duty and 4 as a reservist. He attended Purdue University majoring in Electrical Engineering. Jim married Judith (Hampton) Buchanan on July 2, 1960....

Pauline "Polly" Cicero

Pauline "Polly" Cicero

October 17, 2022

PAULINE (PHILIPPI) CICERO     1925 - 2022

Pauline "Polly" Cicero, 97, passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2022. Born June 11, 1925 in Casey, IL, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Short) Philippi. She was Valedictorian of her high school class of '43 and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1947. Also in 1947,...

Virginia "Ginny" M. Adams

Virginia "Ginny" M. Adams

October 17, 2022

Virginia M. Adams (Ginny) 1934—2022

Virginia M. Adams, 88, of Rockton, passed away October 17, 2022. Born March 29, 1934, in Rockford Illinois; the daughter of John and Emelia Rinaldi. Survivors include her son Michael Adams (Kathleen), grandchildren Brett Adams (Alyssia Snow); Jennifer Aulet (Jericho); and great-granddaughters; sisters-in-law, Francis Rinaldi, Nancy Rinaldi; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents;...

Helen M. Burns

Helen M. Burns

October 16, 2022

Helen M. Burns, 80, of Rockford, IL, passed away on October 16, 2022, at her home. She was born on September 23, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois to William J. and Antoinette A. (Chmieleski) Burns.

Helen was a lifelong devout Catholic, member of St. Peter's Cathedral, who enjoyed attending Mass at many different Parishes in the Rockford area. As a 1960 graduate...

Elisabeth Lange

Elisabeth Lange

October 15, 2022

Elisabeth Lange, 89 (January 2, 1933), passed away on October 15, 2022. Born in Bayreuth, Germany daughter to Johann and Frieda (Braunling) Brendel.

Elisabeth met the love of her life, Heinz, in her hometown of Bayreuth. Their courtship was spent on the village dance floors in Obern and Unternschreez. Heinz immigrated to Racine Wisconsin in 1952 to set up a home...

Reverend James L. Kragness

Reverend James L. Kragness

October 14, 2022

Reverend James “Jim” Lewis Kragness, 86, passed away peacefully in his bed at Wesley Willows Nursing Home in Rockford, Illinois, on Friday, October 14, 2022.

Jim was born in Marshall, Minnesota, on December 29, 1935. He graduated from Augustana College (Sioux Falls, SD; 1957) and Luther Theological Seminary (St. Paul, MN; 1961). Pastor Jim was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran...

Edna V. Gustafson

Edna V. Gustafson

October 14, 2022

Edna Violet Gustafson, 97, of Belvidere, Illinois entered her eternal life on October 14, 2022, peacefully in her home surrounded by family.

Edna was born in Rockford, Illinois by a midwife on September 13, 1925. She grew up on a ten-acre rural farm on Michigan Ave. She was the first sibling of her family to learn to drive the Fordson tractor....

Floyd Roger Kindstrom

Floyd Roger Kindstrom

October 13, 2022

Floyd Roger Kindstrom, 89, Rockford, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Cedarhurst of Rockford, IL. He was born November 10, 1932, in Rockford, the son of Floyd and Martha (Morris) Kindstrom. Roger was a veteran of the Army serving during the Korean War. He married Janice Griffey in Rockford on May 12, 1953. Roger worked at Landmark Printing Company...

Michael A. Moriarity

Michael A. Moriarity

October 13, 2022

Michael A. Moriarity, 35, passed away on October 13, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois. He was born on January 23, 1987 in Rockford, Illinois son to Darlene Moriarity. They moved to California for a short time and came back to Rockford when Michael was fairly young. Michael was currently employed by Prairie Farms.

He is survived by his brother, Ryan (Francesca); significant...

John J. Rzeszotko

John J. Rzeszotko

October 12, 2022

John J. Rzeszotko passed away peacefully at the age 88 on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, in Rockford, IL. Born on September 24, 1934 in Rockford, Illinois to John and Rose (Victor) Rzeszotko. John attended St. Thomas High School and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict. John returned from Korea, graduated high school and...