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;...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

October 11, 2022

Richard “Dick” P. Ellena, 91, of Rockford, IL passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2022. He was born November 20, 1930, in Rockford, IL the son of Beatrice (Brocheau) and Peter Ellena. Richard attended Rockford West High School, graduating in 1948. Richard married Charlotte Heflin on September 19, 1974. He worked as a telephone repairman for Illinois Bell until his retirement,...

October 11, 2022

Carolyn Minh Do, 87, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Vietnam on April 16, 1935, the daughter of Do Viet Man and Ta Thi Dap. Carolyn worked as a final inspector in the automotive division of Elco Industries for many years.

Survived by her son Lee (Teresa Thu)...

October 10, 2022

Gregory Jay “Hawger” Heidel – July 28th, 1967 – October 10th, 2022

“The Man Behind the Bar”

After a weary day you stop at a place where people gather. As you grab your stool and settle in, you are greeted by a man: the man behind the bar. He greets you warmly, as if you were his longtime friend. As he takes...

October 9, 2022

Dr. Mitchell “Mitch” Martin Olson, 62, Rockford, passed away suddenly from natural causes on Sunday, October 9, 2022. He was born August 7, 1960, in Rockford, the son of Roger and Jeanne (Floody) Olson.

Mitch received his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College with a double major in Organ and Christian Education. He served in several Rockford area churches, including Director of...

October 9, 2022

Kevin J. Maher, 47, died on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in his home. Born January 10, 1975 in Silver Spring, MD, son of John J. Maher and Peggi A. Dixon Maher. Graduated from Guilford High School and attended the University of Illinois and Kansas University. Kevin was a workaholic who had been employed by NAPA Auto Parts Distributors for many...

October 8, 2022

Dr. Jane E. Pearson, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.E.P., dedicated wife, mother and grandmother passed peacefully on October 8, 2022 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL after a courageous battle with ALS at the age of 62. Jane was born on July 1, 1960 to William and Shirley Scott of Arlington Heights, IL.

Jane graduated from University of Illinois and earned her...

October 8, 2022

John Michael DeRocher, 72, passed away on October 8, 2022 in his home town of Rockford, Illinois. He was born on April 16, 1950 son to Firmin “Sam” and Dorothy (Christian) DeRocher. John graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1968 and attended Rock Valley College. He worked for Ingersoll for 45 years before retiring in 2015. Until the passing...

October 8, 2022

October 7, 2022

George Duane Willis passed away after battling a brief illness on October 7, 2022, just a day before his 94th birthday. Born on October 8, 1928 in Belvidere, Illinois to parents George Leonard and Christine Willis. Duane grew up in Marengo, Illinois and graduated from Marengo High in 1947. He would go on to join the Army and marry his...

October 6, 2022

William M. Marinelli, 57, passed away on October 6, 2022 in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Rockford on December 17, 1964 he was a son to Ettore “Tut” and Eleanor (Mioni) Marinelli. Bill was a 1981 graduate of West High School, and attended Rock Valley College. He spent 31 years of his working career with Architectural Metals, LLC. In his free...

October 5, 2022

Ginny Irene Hennelly, 92, of Loves Park, passed away on October 5, 2022. She was born on June 11, 1930, in Monroe, Wisconsin, the daughter of Dwight and Charlene (Roderick) Hageman. Ginny was raised on a dairy farm near Brodhead, WI. She attended a one room rural schoolhouse. At age 12, she moved to Brodhead to attend Brodhead High School,...

October 4, 2022

Julie A. Ekstam Lyle, 77, died unexpectedly on October 4, 2022 in her home. Born June 29, 1945 in Cambridge, MN, daughter of Carl A. and Marilie Hoff Ekstam. Graduated from Mankato, MN High School and Mankato State University. She began her creative career as an art teacher in Minnesota. After getting married and making several moves around the country,...