Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Steven Thomas Gierke

Steven Thomas Gierke

September 5, 2022

Steven Thomas Gierke, 67 of Rockford, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022. He was born on January 7, 1955, in Glenview, IL, the son of Robert “Bob” A. and Georgiana Ann (Hock) Gierke.

Steve had a strong life-long belief in Jesus Christ. He worked in maintenance at various apartment complexes most of his adult life. His interests include gardening, old...

Bobbie J. Showers

Bobbie J. Showers

September 5, 2022

Bobbie J. Showers, 62, was called Home on Monday, September 5, 2022. Bobbie was born on September 26, 1959, in Rockford, Illinois, to Thomas Justice III and Carolyn Justice. Bobbie worked at River Bluff Nursing Home for 30 years, and for Kmart for 7 years. in June of 1989 she married the love of her life, Fredrick Showers. She was...

Dr. Joseph T. Simeone

Dr. Joseph T. Simeone

September 3, 2022

“Dr Joe” T Simeone, died peacefully on September 3, 2022, at his beloved old home on Rock River in Oregon. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Gaetano and Frances (Sciannimanico) Simeone and brother to Theresa (Neil) Bernardo.

After graduating from St John’s University, he got on a ship bound for Rome, Italy to attend Medical School. Joe...

Curtis Dean Worden

Curtis Dean Worden

September 2, 2022

Curtis Dean Worden passed away peacefully on September 2, 2022 of natural causes. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin to Fred and Pearl Worden. Pearl, a homemaker, raised Curt, his older brother Donald and younger sister Stephanie (Worden) Meyer. Fred managed a bus company in both Racine and Des Moines, IA before acquiring a bus company in Little Rock, Arkansas....

Richard J. Bachrodt

Richard J. Bachrodt

September 2, 2022

Richard J. Bachrodt died peacefully at his Rockford home on September 2, 2022 at the age of 79 after a long illness. He was surrounded by his family, who will continue his dedication to family, friendships, fun, and community.

Richard was born in Des Moines, IA on July 17, 1943 to Louis C. Bachrodt, Jr. and Irene. He moved to Rockford,...

Jeffrey D. Gray

Jeffrey D. Gray

September 1, 2022

Jeffrey D. Gray, 41, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly passed away on September 1, 2022 at 1:57 a.m. Born in Rockford, Illinois son to Robert and Brenda (Walker) Gray. In 2017 he started his career with UPS where he was actively working. Before UPS, Jeff had the honor of being the primary caretaker for his father for numerous years. In his free...

Henry "Hank" John Baumann

Henry "Hank" John Baumann

August 31, 2022

HENRY “HANK” BAUMANN

LOVING HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER

79, of Rockford, IL. passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born May 23, 1943, in Elmhurst IL, the only son of John and Henriette (Claeyssens) Baumann. Hank was a graduate of St. Ambrose College. During his time at St. Ambrose, he met Betty Herrmann,...

James "Jim" Henry Hellmich

James "Jim" Henry Hellmich

August 31, 2022

James “Jim” Henry Hellmich, 90, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2022. He was born August 5, 1932, in Greensburg, IN, the son of Albert and Luella (Meyers) Hellmich. He was a veteran of the Army serving during the Korean War. Jim graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He married Jo A. Davis in Wheaton on...

Ronald J. Thorson

Ronald J. Thorson

August 30, 2022

Ronald J. Thorson, 85, lifelong resident of Rockford passed away on August 30, 2022. A loving husband, father and grandfather was born in Rockford on June 20, 1937, son to Bernt and Margaret (Lindgren) Thorson. Ronald graduated from East High School and went on to join the U.S. Navy, later working in the tool and die industry, National Lock, and...

Patricia J. Rogers

Patricia J. Rogers

August 29, 2022

Patricia Joan Rogers (Patty Jo) of Rockford, IL passed away on August 29th, 2022 due to complications from Myasthenia Gravis at the age of 75. Patty was a patient and always loving mother, wife, musician, and elementary school teacher.

There will be a visitation at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Mulford Road on September 6th, from 5-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial...

Duane "Herm" Griesbach

Duane "Herm" Griesbach

August 29, 2022

Colonel Duane M. Griesbach, USAF (Ret.), age 90, most recently of Roscoe, IL passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022. 

Known to most as Herm, he was born in Beaver Dam, WI on February 9, 1932, the son of Walter and Bernice (Seering) Griesbach.

Herm attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he played on the Badger football team while...

Martin "Glenn" Funk

Martin "Glenn" Funk

August 28, 2022

Martin “Glenn” Funk, 75, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully in his sleep at Fair Oaks Rehabilitation and Health Care Center on Sunday, August 28, 2022, after beating cancer twice. Glenn was born June 28, 1947, in Richmond, Virginia the son of Charles and Helen Funk. He worked at Bergstrom for many years and after retirement he worked for the...

Margaret  "Muggsy" F. Erickson

Margaret "Muggsy" F. Erickson

August 27, 2022

Margaret "Muggsy" Erickson was born on May 8th, 1944, in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, to parents Margaret "Peggy" Dunbar and Donald. F. Klein. Muggsy's mother Peggy was a WW2 bride and at around three years old Muggs, her mother Peg and brother Donald traveled by ship to America leaving behind their beloved Aussie home. Muggsy was very proud...

Kathryn W. Durstock

Kathryn W. Durstock

August 26, 2022

Kathryn “Kathy” W. Durstock, 91, Rockford, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Morning Star Village Assisted Living. She was born August 22, 1931, in Aurora, the daughter of John and Katherine (Kramp) Weingart. Kathy was a graduate of Madonna High School in Aurora, class of 1949. Kathy married her loving husband of 39 years, William “Bill” Durstock on...

Cecil G. Neace

Cecil G. Neace

August 26, 2022

Cecil G. Neace, 36, of Loves Park, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022.

Cecil was born in Chicago, IL on November 10, 1985, son of Charlie L. Neace Sr. and Sherry Williams. He was a man of very strong Christian faith and read his bible every day. Cecil enjoyed spending his time fishing, lifting weights every day at home and...

Sheila M. Loughlin

Sheila M. Loughlin

August 25, 2022

Sheila M. Loughlin, 85, of Rockford, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2022. She was born in Chicago, IL on May 23, 1937, daughter of Michael and Frances Mae (Honeck) Loughlin. Sheila was the family matriarch and she loved nothing more than spending time with her family, particularly the nieces and nephews. There wasn’t a holiday, birthday or special occasion...

Suzanne A. Rammon

Suzanne A. Rammon

August 25, 2022

Suzanne A. Rammon, 73, Rockford, died peacefully on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at home.

Born July 9, 1949 in San Jose, CA, daughter of Joseph and Anita Brindal Ciceri. Sue graduated from Boylan High School and attended Rock Valley College and Quincy State University.

She married her best friend, Richard Rammon, on January 31, 1976 in Rockford.

For forty-six years, Sue and Rick...

Thomas "Tom" Dale Raney

Thomas "Tom" Dale Raney

August 25, 2022

Thomas “Tom” Dale Raney, 83, of Avon Park, FL, formerly of Byron and New Milford, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2022. He was born on November 12, 1938, in Rockford, the son of Oscar B. and Elmira M. (Swick) Raney.

He worked as a cement finisher for Lamont Emery Construction and John Freed Construction. He served in the U.S. Air...

Bennie Dale Rubendall

Bennie Dale Rubendall

August 22, 2022

Bennie Dale Rubendall, 81, of Rockford, passed away on August 22, 2022. He was born on July 6, 1941, in Polo, Illinois, the son of Rafe and Velva Rubendall. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years. Bennie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University. He married Susan Gustafson on August 15, 2004, in Minnesota....

Gerald D. Sagona

Gerald D. Sagona

August 21, 2022

Gerald D. Sagona, known to his friends as Jerry Sagona, 87, passed away on the morning of Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Ascension Living Saint Anne Place in Rockford, IL. Gerald was born in Rockford, IL on December 31, 1934. His parents were Joseph and Isabel (Melanas) Sagona. He graduated from East High School Rockford, class of 1952. He proudly...