Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

James P. Chadwick

James P. Chadwick

February 14, 2022

James “Pat” P. Chadwick, 78, went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2022, which was three months and seven days after the loss of the love of his life, Nancy “Helen” H. Chadwick. Pat was born on March 5, 1943 in Wideman, Ar. son to Drew and Doris (Hayden) Chadwick. When Pat was 13, a tragic fire...

Esther Ann Knutson

Esther Ann Knutson

February 14, 2022

Esther Knutson, 90, gained her angel wings and went home to her Heavenly Father on February 14, 2022. She was born in New Vienna, Iowa on January 7, 1932, daughter to Frank and Sophia (Vonderhaar) Wilgenbusch. Esther was the youngest of ten children. In 1950, Esther graduated from St. Boniface High school and following she settled in Rockford, Illinois graduated...

Jeannine L. Johnson

Jeannine L. Johnson

February 13, 2022

Jeannine Lee Johnson (Schneider), 81, of Rockford, Illinois passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loving family on February 13, 2022. She was born to Joseph L. Schneider and Helena Schneider (Sheahan) in Belvidere, Illinois. Jeannine was raised in Marengo, Illinois. She graduated from Marengo Community High School and later received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University. She...

Jean E. Urbas-Porter

Jean E. Urbas-Porter

February 13, 2022

Jean E. Urbas-Porter, 97, of Poplar Grove, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2022. She was born March 15, 1924 in Chillicothe, Ohio, the daughter of Walter Whitney and Mahela (Bowman) Schiewetz. Jean married Robert Porter in 2006. She was a realtor for over 30 years, and later in life became a licensed private pilot at the age of 70. Jean...

Ronald "Ron" Wallace

Ronald "Ron" Wallace

February 12, 2022

Ronald “Ron” Wallace went to join the angels on February 12, 2022. Born October 25, 1943 to Lloyd and Ethel Wallace in Richland Center, WI. His older brother David was excited to have a younger brother, Ron, and later Ron also welcomed his sister Eileen and youngest brother, Roger. The family moved to Loves Park in the 1950’s. Ron graduated...

Barbara Sherman

Barbara Sherman

February 12, 2022

Barbara L. Sherman, 90, of Rockford, passed away February 12, 2022 at Cherry Vale Place. Born September 23, 1931 in Rockford, the daughter of Walter & Alice (Johnson) Larson. She graduated from Rockford East High School, class of 1949. Barbara married Gordon Sherman September 28, 1957. Both Barb and Gordy bred and raised black labs. After working for the Rockford...

Austin  T.  Tobias

Austin T. Tobias

February 12, 2022

Austin T. Tobias, 32, of Rockford, IL passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022. He was born April 19, 1989 in Rockford, IL the son of Phyllis (Prostko) and John N. Tobias, Jr. Austin attended Boylan Catholic High School and graduated in 2007. While attending Boylan he was an active member in concert and jazz band, proficient in playing trumpet and...

John C. Leverenz

John C. Leverenz

February 11, 2022

John Charles Leverenz, 83, of Rockford, IL passed away Friday, February 11, 2022. He was born November 4, 1938 in Sheboygan, WI, the son of Charles and Myrtle Leverenz. He married Betsy Kaye Hielsberg on October 12, 1963. John was educated at Sheboygan North High School and Carrol College in Waukesha, WI where he received a Bachelor of Science degree....

Lester A. Anderson, Jr.

Lester A. Anderson, Jr.

February 10, 2022

Lester A. Anderson, Jr., 91, of Rockford, IL passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022. He was born April 21, 1930 in Beloit, WI the son to Magdalene (Loughan) and Lester A. Anderson, Sr. Lester attended St. Thomas Catholic High School graduating in 1948. Lester proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict in the United States Army. He married the...

Nick J. Dewitt

Nick J. Dewitt

February 10, 2022

Nick J. DeWitt, 66, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022, in his home. He was born October 23, 1955, in Quincey, the son of Jimmie and Shirley (Chambers) DeWitt. Nick married Karen White in Rockford on September 29, 1984. He was the drafting manager at Steel Fabricating for many years. Nick was an avid fisherman, enjoyed gardening, and...

Maggie L. Owens

Maggie L. Owens

February 10, 2022

Maggie Louise Owens, 94, of Rockford, went to be with her Lord on February 10, 2022 at River Bluff Nursing Home. Maggie was born May 16, 1927 in Black Oak, Arkansas; daughter of Robert and Bertie (Webb) Hall. She married Walter “Dink” L. Owens in Arkansas on August 14, 1946. He preceded her in death on June 11, 1993. Maggie...

Nouphanh  Rasasy

Nouphanh Rasasy

February 10, 2022

Nouphanh Rasasy, 76, of Rockford, passed away February 10, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Born June 6, 1945 in Laos. Married Ngon Rasasy in Lao. Member of the South Mulford Lao Buddhist Temple. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and loved spending time with her family and her grandchildren. Survivors include children, Ounkham Rasasy, Khonsavanh Rasasy, Khamchanh Khotpanya, Bounthanh Rasasy, Bounthong...

Dante E. Ignacio Iii

Dante E. Ignacio Iii

February 10, 2022

Dante E. Ignacio, III, 30, of Vail, CO formerly of Rockford, IL passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022. He was born February 4, 1992 the son of Pamela (Grebas) and Dante S. Ignacio, Jr. Dante graduated from Guilford High School in 2010. He worked at Mountain Standard Restaurant as a Grill Chef de Partie in Vail, CO. Dante was an...

Thomas Shawn Whitcomb

Thomas Shawn Whitcomb

February 10, 2022

Thomas Shawn Whitcomb, 29, Poplar Grove, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born September 30, 1992, in Libertyville, the son of James and Lisa (Boulnois) Whitcomb. Thomas was a proud member of the Belvidere District 100 special education programming throughout his entire education. Survived by his parents, Jim and Lisa;...

Larry S. Hancock

Larry S. Hancock

February 9, 2022

Larry Steven Hancock, age 84, passed away in Rockford, Illinois on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 after a long struggle with cancer. Born January 17, 1938 in Payson, Utah to Steven and Alene (Huff) Hancock. Married to Margit Hubner on May 8, 1959 in Straubing, Germany. Larry graduated from Spanish Fork High School and furthered his education later in life. He...

Mary Ann Egler

Mary Ann Egler

February 9, 2022

Mary Ann Egler, 73, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born October 30, 1948, in Rockford, the daughter of Lewis and Marjorie (Schultz) Dickson. She worked at Amcore Bank for 23 years and at Kohl’s for several years. Mary Ann enjoyed photography, gardening and being with her pets. She loved spending...

Kazimierz Zabinski

Kazimierz Zabinski

February 9, 2022

Kazimierz “Casey” Zabinski, 94, passed away surrounded by his family on February 9, 2022. Born in Warszawa, Poland on August 23, 1927 son to Jozef and Stefania (Morawska) Zabinski. After finishing high school, Casey joined the Polish Home Army (Polish Underground Resistance Movement during World War II). During the Warsaw Uprising 1944, he was captured and was prisoner of war...

Mark T. Karner

Mark T. Karner

February 7, 2022

Mark T. Karner, 62, Rockford, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 7, 2022 in his home. Born September 14, 1959 in Chicago, son of Alan J. and Barbara Donnelly Karner. Mark graduated from Prospect High School and received his Juris Doctor from Illinois Institute of Technology-Kent College of Law. Shortly after graduating from law school, he joined the Winnebago County State’s...

Mary A. Bonacquisti

Mary A. Bonacquisti

February 7, 2022

Mary A. Bonacquisti, 50, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, February 7, 2022. Mary was born September 8, 1971 in Rockford, IL the daughter of Angelo and Barbara (Hierman) Bonacquisti. Mary attended Jefferson High School, graduating in 1990. She went on to work in quality control for over 30 years at All Rental Garments, GK and finally Cintas. Mary was...

Marjorie L. Hobbs

Marjorie L. Hobbs

February 7, 2022

Marjorie L. Hobbs, 74 of Normal, IL passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022. Marjorie was born in Rockford, IL on June 16, 1947, daughter of Roy and Helen (Garry) Almond. She graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School, Class of 1965. Marjorie married Mark L. Hobbs on October 13, 1973. Marjorie lived in Rockford most of her life, working...