Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Charles "Chuck" D. Williams

Charles "Chuck" D. Williams

August 13, 2022

Charles “Chuck” David Williams, 71, of Rockford, passed away on August 13, 2022, at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison. He was born on November 26, 1950, in Rockford, the second oldest son of Elbert Eugene and Mary Francis (Edwards) Williams. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He married Lien Nguyen on April 1, 1975, in...

Eric D. Steiner

Eric D. Steiner

August 13, 2022

Eric Steiner of Winnebago, IL passed away on August 13, 2022, at the age of 32. Eric married the love of his life on September 28, 2019, which remains as the happiest day of his life. Eric was a man of many hobbies that he put his whole heart into. Eric enjoyed spending his time on green fields, either golfing...

James W.  Tooley

James W. Tooley

August 11, 2022

James W. Tooley, 93, of Rockford, IL passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022. He was born, January 17, 1929, in Rockford, IL the son of James O. Tooley and Esther (Wall). James attended Rockford West High School, class of 1947. He proudly served in the United States Navy for 20 years as a code breaker in electronic surveillance for Naval...

Raymond M. Eklund

Raymond M. Eklund

August 11, 2022

Raymond M. Eklund joined his wife Angela M. (Cascio) Eklund and infant son David Michael Eklund on Thursday, August 11, 2022, He is survived by his daughter Terri Eklund. Ray was a WWII Army Veteran and was honored to participate in VetsRoll. We are grateful to Mikhail Holubev from Harlem Veteran Project for directing Ray’s life video on Youtube. Ray...

Gloria B. Jalla

Gloria B. Jalla

August 10, 2022

Gloria Basconcillo Jalla, 74, returned to her Heavenly Father on the 10th of August. Gloria was the fourth oldest of twelve children born to Lucrena Duque Dacanay and Samson Mencias Basconcillo on the 7th of September 1947 in Alcala, Pangasinan, Philippines. She graduated from Marian School of Nursing in 1974 and joined the Philippine Armed Forces shortly, thereafter, rising to...

John  W.  Verstynen

John W. Verstynen

August 10, 2022

John William Verstynen, 99, of Loves Park, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. He was born on August 10, 1923, in Rumley, Michigan, the son of Cornelius Frances and Johanna Mary (Driessen) Verstynen. John grew up in Rockford, IL and was a graduated from West High School, class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Force as...

Gary L. Kirby

Gary L. Kirby

August 10, 2022

Gary L. Kirby, 71, passed away in Rockford on August 10, 2022. Born in Rockford on April 27, 1951, son to Owen and Willa (McDonald) Kirby. Gary dedicated most of his life to the trucking industry; he worked at R.L. Leek Industries for 25 years until finishing his career after 12 years at FAB Express. When he was off road...

Christian K. Littrell

Christian K. Littrell

August 9, 2022

Christian K. Littrell, 44, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. He was born in Freeport on July 27, 1978, the son of Thomas and Pamela (Ray) Littrell. He had a great love of sports and grew up participating in sports programs through the Boys and Girls Club of Rockford. Christian is survived by his mother, Pamela; his sister,...

Keith F Bowcock

Keith F Bowcock

August 8, 2022

Keith F. Bowcock, 67, of Rockford, passed away August 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Canada, the son of Arthur & Kay Bowcock. They moved to Bridgeport, then to the Northside of Chicago. He owned and operated Better Blanks and Screws for 30 years, passion for making screws at Slidematic. He enjoyed fishing, watching, and betting on...

Dominic "Don" R. Gugliuzza

Dominic "Don" R. Gugliuzza

August 7, 2022

Dominic “Don” R. Gugliuzza, 82, Rockford, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 12, 1939, in Rockford, the only son of Joseph and Theresa (Fertitta) Gugliuzza. He attended Barbour Elementary School, Washington Junior High School and Rockford West High School graduating in 1957. Don entered the Navy in 1958,...

William "Bill" J. Simpson

William "Bill" J. Simpson

August 7, 2022

William (Bill) John Simpson, age 87, died Sunday, August 7th, 2022, in his home of natural causes. He was the son of William John Simpson & Julia Veronica Hudak, and was born on May 15, 1935, in South Chicago. Bill was educated at St. Thomas in Rockford and finished his last two years of high school at East High, graduating...

David L. Holland

David L. Holland

August 7, 2022

David L Holland, 80, passed away in Rockford, Illinois in August 7, 2022. Born in Elgin, Illinois on October 20, 1941. Son to George and Laura (Flentge) Holland. When David was young, he spent time with his father working in the auto repair business, acquiring knowledge to carry him into his first career. He was proud to be an Eagle...

Robert  John Van Liere Jr.

Robert John Van Liere Jr.

August 6, 2022

Robert “John” J. Van Liere Jr., 74, of Rockton, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022. He was born on December 15, 1947, in Wilmot, Wisconsin, the son of Robert J. and Lillian (Robers) Van Liere. John graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He married Catherine Weber on August 7, 1971, and they spent a...

Mary Maggio

Mary Maggio

August 5, 2022

Mary Dawson Maggio passed away at her home on Friday, August 5, 2022, after bravely battling a long illness. Mary was born to Emma “Bea” Carlson on January 11, 1940, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She graduated with honors from Bishop Muldoon High School in 1957 and was a certified social worker for the Department of Public Aid. Mary wed Sam...

Jennie C. Rotello

Jennie C. Rotello

August 2, 2022

Jennie C. Rotello, 97, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. She was born July 13, 1925, in Rockford, the daughter of John and Frances (Collalti) Barbata. Jennie met Michael T. Rotello at the age of 17 and they were married 4 years later on October 16, 1946, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Michael passed away on...

Gerlanda Piranio

Gerlanda Piranio

August 1, 2022

Gerlanda Piranio, 86, of Rockford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Born December 23, 1935, in Aragona, Sicily, the daughter of Dionisio Piranio & Rosaria Falzone. Gerlanda, along with her parents and her sisters, immigrated to the United States in 1962, settling in Rockford. She worked for Nelson Knitting for many years. A devout catholic she was a...

Joann Marie Markese

Joann Marie Markese

August 1, 2022

JoAnn Marie Markese, 73 years of age, passed on August 1st, 2022 at Anam Glen in Rockford, IL. She was at peace surrounded by her family and wonderful care team. JoAnn was born in Rockford, Illinois to the late Salvatore (Sal) and Sarah Taromino DiPasquale. She was the eldest of their three children with brothers, Louis and Thomas DiPasquale following....

Robert "Bob" M. Drobnik

Robert "Bob" M. Drobnik

July 31, 2022

Robert “Bob” M. Drobnik, 87, of Rockford, passed away at home on Sunday, July 31, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Chicago, IL on December 20, 1934, son of Otto and Helen (Mikota) Drobnik. He graduated from Phillips High School, Class of 1954 in Wisconsin. Bob worked as a millwright with Sundstrand Corp. for 30 years...

Martin "Marty" A. Vander Weit

Martin "Marty" A. Vander Weit

July 30, 2022

“No tears, only cheers for a life so beautifully lived” Marty Vander Weit came into this world on March 15, 1944. After a short battle with cancer, he ended his fight on July 30, 2022. Papa (as he was known by his grandchildren) will always be looking down on us. As he would say, “Just smile. I had a great...

Erlene M. Martin

Erlene M. Martin

July 29, 2022

Erlene Marie Martin, 82, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022 at home, surrounded by her loving family. Erlene was born in Rockford on April 3, 1940, daughter of Robert and Frances (Johnson) Whitehead. She married Paul Andrew Martin on October 2, 1959. Erlene graduated from Rockford East High School, Class of 1958. She valued the importance of...