Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Roman G. Ortiz

Roman G. Ortiz

May 13, 2022

Roman G. Ortiz, 89, passed away in Rockford, Illinois on May 13, 2022. Born in Nixon, Texas on October 30, 1932 oldest of five children to Jose and Mercedes (Garcia) Ortiz. Roman went on to marry the Love of his life, Maria Aguilar in Sabinas, Mexico on March 4, 1956. They shared 56 wonderful years of dedicated marriage until she...

Jon Ryberg

Jon Ryberg

May 13, 2022

Jon Ryberg, 64, Cherry Valley, died Friday, May 13, 2022 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. Born September 10, 1957, son of Reverend Ralph and Margaret Ryberg. Jon enjoyed his childhood in Mt. Morris and forever considered himself a "Mounder". He graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee and received his Bachelor's Degree from Carthage...

James "Jimmy" D. Brooks, Sr.

James "Jimmy" D. Brooks, Sr.

May 13, 2022

James Dallas Brooks, born June 10th to James Brooks and Dallas Combs in Virginia. James or “Jimmy” as everyone called him, because of his youthful personality. As a young man the choice was coal mining or military service. Jimmy went in the Army and served in the segregation of schools in Arkansas and served time in Germany when Elvis was...

Connie T. Pec

Connie T. Pec

May 11, 2022

Connie T. Pec, 63, passed away on May 11, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois. Born May 16, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois daughter to Walter and Betty Magda. Connie attended Hubbard High School in Chicago and later moved to Berwyn, Illinois to raise her kids. As her friend, Halley, said, “Connie was the hardest and softest person I knew all at the...

Stephen "Zeke" Stirlen

Stephen "Zeke" Stirlen

May 11, 2022

Stephen “Zeke” Stirlen, 75, of Cherry Valley, IL passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. He was born May 25, 1946 in Sigourney, IA the son of Ned and Marilyn (Miner) Stirlen. Zeke earned his Master’s degree in Education at Northern Illinois University. He married Elba V. Hehir in Chicago on August 10, 1968. He was a teacher and coach...

Elizabeth "Libby" M. Poliak

Elizabeth "Libby" M. Poliak

May 11, 2022

Elizabeth “Libby” M. Poliak, 89, of Rockford, passed away at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. She was born June 1, 1932, in Mullins, South Carolina, the daughter of Clyde and Ruth (McCoy) Sherrill. She was married to Eugene “Sarge” Poliak for 68 years. They met in Camp LeJeune, later making their life together in Rockford. Libby...

Maynard "Mickey" L. Wibom

Maynard "Mickey" L. Wibom

May 11, 2022

Maynard “Mickey” L. Wibom, 95, of Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Swedish American Hospital. He was born on May 2, 1927, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Eric and Ada (Nelson) Wibom. He graduated from East High School in 1945 and served in the US Navy during WWII. Mickey and Marlene were joined in marriage on...

Norman Lane Rice

Norman Lane Rice

May 10, 2022

Norman Lane Rice of Rockford, Illinois died on May 10, 2022, at the Wesley Willows Health Care Unit. He was born February 1, 1932, in Des Moines, IA to Mondell and Gwendolyn (Carver) Rice. Married to Alice Montgomery November 21, 1956, in Esmond, IL. Norman grew up in Collins, IA and graduated from lowa State University in 1954 with a...

Larry Martin Bankord

Larry Martin Bankord

May 9, 2022

Larry Martin Bankord, 86, Rockford, died on Monday, May 9, 2022 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family. Born April 23, 1936 in Pengilly, MN, son of William and Ellen Sophie Johnson Bankord. Larry had very humble beginnings growing up in a one room log cabin in a family with 11 children. This, no doubt, had...

Joyce M. Raines

Joyce M. Raines

May 9, 2022

Joyce M. Raines, 80, Rockford, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022. She was born on July 21, 1941, in Sandwich, the daughter of William and Ila (Coppes) Boreman. Joyce was a graduate of Plano High School and later graduated from the Copley Hospital nursing program in Aurora. She married Robert Raines, Sr. in Plano on February 16, 1964. After...

Edgard R. Beltrán

Edgard R. Beltrán

May 8, 2022

Edgard R. Beltrán, 91, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Bogotá, Colombia on November 4, 1930 one of seven children to Miguel Antonio and Alejandrina (Acosta) Beltrán. He started his pastoral work in the Diocese of Girardot (Colombia) where he worked in several parishes and initiated the parish of Cristo Resucitado....

Charles E Carter

Charles E Carter

May 8, 2022

Charles Edward (Charlie) Carter was born on November 6, 1932 in Rockford, Illinois to Edward and Alice (Carlson) Carter. He was honored for delivering the Morning Star and Register Republic newspapers with a trip to New York City at the age of 13 years old. He graduated from East High School in 1950 and married Janet Claire Hammerstrand on November...

Wanda   Beatrice (Rice) Lowe

Wanda Beatrice (Rice) Lowe

May 5, 2022

Wanda Beatrice (Rice) Lowe, 93, of Rockford. Illinois passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022. Bea was born October 27, 1928, in Hoxie, Arkansas. She was the first of 10 children born to Roy & Catherine Etta (Carley) Rice. Bea married Henry (Jay) Lowe on June 13, 1948. They were blessed with 69 years together. She graduated from Hoxie High School...

Geraldine T. Guarino

Geraldine T. Guarino

May 4, 2022

Geraldine T. Guarino, 97, of Rockford, IL passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born in Beckley, West Virginia on December 29, 1924, daughter of Orsario and Crucifix (Amelia) Salamone. She married Sam J. Guarino on June 1, 1946 in Rockford. Geraldine worked at Barber Colman for 8 years and later worked...

Edward Klein Iii

Edward Klein Iii

May 4, 2022

Edward Klein III, 86, born January 17, 1936 to Edward Jr. and Dorothy (nee Nelson) Klein went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Charlotte (nee Voss), his children: Sherry (Jim) Timmons, Edward IV (Cindy) Klein, Greg (Kay) Klein; his grandchildren: Jennifer King (Dave), Kyle Timmons, Monica (Shane)...

Richard E. Niggemann

Richard E. Niggemann

May 3, 2022

Richard E. Niggemann, 84, of Rockford, IL, passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2022. Richard was born on April 24, 1938 to Leonard and Helen (Egle) Niggemann in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Messmer High School in 1956. Richard attended Marquette University and graduated with honors in 1960 with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. In 1963,...

Grandon E. Tolstedt, Md

Grandon E. Tolstedt, Md

May 3, 2022

Grandon E. Tolstedt, MD, passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Rockford. He was born on April 21, 1924, to Glen and Elvina (Litwinenco) Tolstedt at the family farm outside of Herreid, SD. Grandon was the older of two boys. His college time at South Dakota State University was interrupted by WWII. He served in the US Army with...

Robert L. Parrott Jr.

Robert L. Parrott Jr.

May 3, 2022

Robert “Bob” L. Parrott, 71, of Roscoe, passed away on May 3, 2022, at OSF St. Anthony Hospital. He was born on May 29, 1950, in Rockford, the son of Robert and Violet (Nelson) Parrott Sr. Bob married Mary Ann Stevens on May 22, 1978, in Rockford. He was a member of the Belvidere Moose 295 where he was the...

Linda D. Green

Linda D. Green

May 2, 2022

Linda D. Green, 66, of Machesney Park, passed away Monday, May 2, 2022 at Javon Bea Hospital. She was born on November 13, 1955, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the daughter of James and Bonnie Jean (Loyd) Perry. She graduated from Guilford High School in 1974. Linda married Bradford “Brad” Green on February 15, 1975, at St. John’s United Methodist Church...

Russell J. Pomaro

Russell J. Pomaro

April 30, 2022

Russell J. Pomaro, 81, of Rockford, IL passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022. He was born September 21, 1940 in Chicago, IL to Frances (Calandra) and Sam Pomaro. Russell grew up in a large extended Italian family. He attended St. Mel High School, graduating in 1959 and proudly served his country in the United States Army. He met the love...