Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Patricia "Pat" Ann Fry

Patricia "Pat" Ann Fry

May 3, 2023

Patricia “Pat” Ann Fry, 86, Rockford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Cedarhurst of Rockford. She was born January 23, 1937, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Norbert and Bernice (Vonah) Doherty. Pat married Richard H. Fry in Freeport on April 14, 1956. He passed away on May 8, 2020. She enjoyed working in her garden, playing...

Samuel "Sam" J. Armato Sr.

Samuel "Sam" J. Armato Sr.

May 3, 2023

Samuel J. Armato Sr., 75, Rockton, passed away in his home on May 3, 2023. Born in Rockford, Illinois on August 31, 1947, son to Joseph Alex Armato and Mary L Pumilia. A 1966 graduate of West High School, Sam soon after joined the U.S. Army and served a tour in both Vietnam and the Korean Conflict from 1968 to...

William "Bill" W.  Norton

William "Bill" W. Norton

May 2, 2023

William “Bill” W. Norton, 89, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Wesley Willows. He was born May 1, 1934, in Chicago, the son of William and Lillian (Ward) Norton. Bill was an Army veteran serving during the Korean War. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and his master’s degree from IIT. Bill then...

E. Katherine Reid

E. Katherine Reid

May 2, 2023

E. Katherine Reid, 87, of Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Kathy was born in Loudon County, Virginia on January 21, 1936, daughter of Alpheus Robey and Marguerite Pomeroy. She graduated from Ambler High School in Pennsylvania, Class of 1954 where she was a member of the rifle team. Kathy worked as a secretary and was the first female...

Reveriano Soria

Reveriano Soria

May 2, 2023

Reveriano Soria, 87, Rockford, passed away in his home on May 2, 2023. Born on June 1, 1935, in Pedro Escobedo, Queretaro, Mexico son to Amado and Bacilia (Mauricio) Soria. In 1958 he married the love of his life, Maria Engracia Rico. He retired from Quaker Oats and was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

He is...

Lynne D. Hammack

Lynne D. Hammack

May 1, 2023

Lynne Hammack, 76, passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023. 

At this time, no services will be held.

Emily M. Goble

Emily M. Goble

April 30, 2023

Emily Margaret Goble, 86, Loves Park IL, passed away on April 30, 2023. 

Born in Chicago, IL on Dec. 23, 1936, daughter of Ellis and Margaret (Halbrook) Hand. Grew up in Lansing IL. Emily graduated St. Luke’s nursing school in 1957 and moved to Los Angeles, CA. There she met Vardon Goble, and they were married on Sept 26, 1971...

David "Dave" Hawkinson

David "Dave" Hawkinson

April 30, 2023

David “Dave” Hawkinson, 74, Rockford, passed away peacefully in his home on April 30, 2023. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on February 10, 1949, to Daryl and Stella (Brudnowski) Hawkinson. He is a graduate of Auburn High School, class of 1967. Dave received a Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. He played...

Juan "Sonny" G. Licon

Juan "Sonny" G. Licon

April 26, 2023

Juan “Sonny” G. Licon, 37, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was born in Rockford on April 23, 1986, the son of Juan and Jody (Maggio) Licon. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, cousin and nephew to his entire family. He was also a great friend to so many people. Sonny was a graduate of Boylan...

Donald E. Betts

Donald E. Betts

April 24, 2023

Donald E. Betts, 78, passed away after a lengthy illness on April 24, 2023. He was born on June 9, 1944, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Clarence and Kathryn (Smith) Betts. Don graduated from St. Thomas High School, class of 1962. He attended one year at Loyola University, Chicago campus. Joining the work force, Don discovered the magic of...

David J. Guarino

David J. Guarino

April 22, 2023

David J. Guarino, 64, of Rockford, passed away on April 22, 2023, at Javon Bea Hospital. He was born on September 28, 1958, in Monterey, California, the son of Sam and Geraldine (Salamone) Guarino. He graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s in biology/chemistry. He served in the U.S. Navy as an officer for 8 years. He was an...

James E. Knabe

James E. Knabe

April 22, 2023

James E. Knabe passed away on April 22, 2023. He was born on August 26, 1939, in Medford, WI. He was the son of Alvin and Evelyn (Werhand) Knabe. He married Dorothy Jefko in Rockford, IL at St. Stanislaus Church on August 10, 1963.

Jim graduated from Medford High School in 1957. He received his BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from...

Ronald "Ronnie" A. Stone

Ronald "Ronnie" A. Stone

April 21, 2023

Ronald A. Stone, 72, of Rockford, passed away in his home on April 21, 2023. Born in Rockford on May 6, 1949, son to Milton and Susie (Mitchell) Stone. After graduation from Auburn High School, Ronald was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and spent time in Vietnam where he earned the nickname “Shakey.” After returning home he started...

Sharon D. Hardt Gartman

Sharon D. Hardt Gartman

April 20, 2023

Sharon D. Hardt Gartman, 84, of Benton, KY passed away at home on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Sharon was born in Wilton, WI on January 6, 1939, daughter of Otto and Hazel (Tuttle) Hardt. She married John “Jack” William Gartman on September 12, 1984. He passed away on September 21, 2006. Sharon worked as a nurse’s aide for 13 years at...

Joyce Ann Munson

Joyce Ann Munson

April 17, 2023

Joyce Ann Munson, 82, Rockford, passed away on April 17, 2023. Born in Rockford on May 14, 1940, daughter to John and Eleanor (Wilson) Arand. Joyce graduated from West High School, class of 1958, and married her high school sweetheart, Harold Munson, on February 7, 1959. Joyce worked at Eagle Foods for over 20 years as a clerk before retirement....

Donald R. Bunk

Donald R. Bunk

April 17, 2023

Donald Raymond Bunk, 91, of Monroe Center, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Donald was born in Chicago, IL on March 8, 1932, son of Raymond and Lillian (Beskow) Bunk Sr. He attended St. Thomas and graduated from Rockford East High School. Donald married Darlene Thomas on February 9, 1952, and later married Helen Van Lanningham on...

Howard P.  Miller

Howard P. Miller

April 16, 2023

Howard P. Miller, 86, Rockford, died on Sunday April 16, 2023 at OSF St Anthony Hospital after a short illness. He was born on January 16, 1937 in Detroit, MI, the son of Hugo and Bertrice (Stafford) Miller.

Howard owned and operated many businesses during his lifetime. He joined his brothers Ellis & Stanley, in Miller Brothers Construction Inc.- where they...

Beth Ann Anastase

Beth Ann Anastase

April 15, 2023

Beth Ann (Williams) Anastase, 90, died at 5:48 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Rock River Healthcare Center. Born February 24, 1933, daughter of Floyd and Clara Williams. Married Michael (Mickey) Anastase in St. Anthony Catholic Church in Rockford on September 8, 1956. Member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church. She and her husband were the owners of Vince’s Hardware on...

Roxanna S. Fransen

Roxanna S. Fransen

April 14, 2023

Roxanna "Roxie" S. Fransen “Roxie”, age 79, of Byron, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023, with loving family by her side.

Roxie was born in Rockford, IL on August 14, 1943, daughter of Emery and Margaret (Flynn) Olmstead. She graduated from Rockford East High School, Class of 1961. Roxie married Edwin “Bud” Fransen on August 10, 2013. She worked in...

Loren Jay Freedlund

Loren Jay Freedlund

April 14, 2023

Loren Jay Freedlund, 64, passed away on April 14, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 24, 1958, the son of Ann and Leonard Freedlund. He graduated from East High School, class of 1976. He married Pamela “Pam” Kay Lindstrom on June 3, 1989. He was employed by Schafer Industries working as a machinist for...