Obituaries
Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries
Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area
Charles R. Watson
October 8, 2025
Charles Richard Watson, 78, passed away on October 8, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. He was born on December 28, 1946, in Charlotte, North Carolina, son to Cecil Paul Watson and Lura Haigwood. Charlie spent his working career as a machinist. He liked to go to Larry’s Garage and shoot the breeze with the other old men. He preferred to stick...
Donald Dean Green
October 7, 2025
Donald Dean Green, 82, formerly La Farge, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, and was born to John and Lydia (Bickel) Green, on October 4, 1943, in Richland Center, WI. He married his wife, Christine (Cudek) Green on July 12, 1969, in Northbrook, IL.
A visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2025,...
Mike J. Leatherby
October 6, 2025
Michael ‘Mike’ J. Leatherby, 64, of Rockford, passed away on October 6, 2025. Born in Rockford, IL, on October 11th of 1960 to Harry and Mary (Leaman) Leatherby. Mike was full of life and laughs, earning the nickname ‘Kramer” years ago, due to his great sense of humor and ability to make everyone in the room laugh. Mike loved striking...
Ruth (Clark) Hoover
October 3, 2025
Ruth (Clark) Hoover passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025 in Naples, FL. Ruth was born January 5, 1928 in St. Louis, MO, the much doted upon daughter of Hugh and Hattie Scudder and little sister of Earl and Lucille. She grew up in Des Moines, IA, graduated from Roosevelt High School and went on to attend Drake University, earning...
Margery Mae Gioppo
October 3, 2025
Margery Mae “Marty” Gioppo, 92, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away on Friday, October 3, 2025, with loving family by her side.
Marty was born April 19, 1933, in Freeport, IL, the daughter of Roy and Emma (Eder) Phillips. She graduated from Freeport High School and went on to work as a cashier at Washington Junior High and Jefferson High School....
Michael "Shawn" Way
October 3, 2025
Michael “Shawn“ Way passed away after a hard-fought battle with ALS. He shared his life with his first and only girlfriend, Kathy (Darnell) and together they built a family they were proud of: Alex, Hannah (Johnny Mitchell), Emily, Sarah (Danny Gorman), Kate (Justin Fell) and Michael. Shawn was also a proud grandfather to Bennett Gorman and Charlie Fell. The following...
Virginia "Ginny" Schmidt
October 2, 2025
Virginia “Ginny” Schmidt, 90, of Rockford, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025. She was born in Mendota, Illinois, on February 23, 1935, the daughter of Archie and Helen (Wells) Smith. She was educated in a single-room schoolhouse and later went to Mendota High School, graduating in 1953. While attending there, she met her future husband, Howard Schmidt. Ginny pursued her...
Barton G. "Bart" Naglestad
October 2, 2025
Barton G. “Bart” Naglestad, beloved father, grandfather, partner, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2025, due to complications from a fall. His passing, just two days shy of his 84th birthday, came as a great shock to his family and friends, who mourn the loss of his presence while cherishing the many memories he leaves behind.
Born on October...
Stephen J. Forsythe
October 2, 2025
Stephen John Forsythe, of Rockford & Mackinaw, IL, passed away peacefully, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Stephen was born on September 15, 1953, in Chicago, IL to Gerald Franklin Forsythe (deceased) and Joyce Alice Mary Sutherland (deceased). He was the youngest of 3 siblings: Marlene Schultz (deceased) and Jo Ferroli. Stephen was blessed to marry...
Otto D. Mills
September 30, 2025
Otto D. Mills, age 57, of Rockford, passed away on September 30, 2025, after fighting a long 7-year battle with interstitial lung disease.
Otto was born on March 18, 1968, in Rockford, IL, the son of James P. Mills and Brenda S. Babb. He graduated from Dakota High School and went on to work in his lifelong career as a welder...
Rosemary A. Kingsbury
September 30, 2025
Rosemary A. Kingsbury, 90, passed away on September 30, 2025. She was born on January 21, 1935, in DeKalb, Illinois, the daughter of Gilbert and Dorothy (Ahlberg) Jordal. Rosemary graduated from Steward High School in 1953. She married Ralph V. Kingsbury on August 8, 1953, in DeKalb, and he preceded her in death on June 3, 1999.
She worked as a...
Douglas P. McNames
September 29, 2025
Douglas Paul McNames passed away peacefully on September 29, 2025, with Dan and Linda by his side, following a long and courageous battle with illness. He fought with quiet strength, always hoping for better days, and never gave up easily.
Doug was born on February 18, 1949, in Rockford, Illinois, to Robert and Blanche (Stull) McNames. He is survived by his...
Joyce Ann Kai
September 29, 2025
Joyce Ann Kai, 82, of Rockford passed away September 29, 2025. Born April 6, 1943, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of Clyde A. and Julia A. (Potter) Rush. She married Paul James Kai on April 6, 1963. She was employed as a beautician for many years working out of her home and later at Alma Nelson Nursing Home. After retiring,...
Aaron Byars Richeson
September 29, 2025
Aaron Byars Richeson, 81, passed away in Loves Park, Illinois on September 29, 2025. He was born in Childersburg, Alabama on June 18, 1944, son to Ralph and Pearl (Hendrix) Richeson. When Aaron was young his family moved to Rockford, where he would attend East High School, class of 1962, and meet his forever high school sweetheart, Trudy Penn. They...
James "Jim" H. McCammond
September 29, 2025
James Harry McCammond, 87, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, September 29, 2025, peacefully in his sleep, with those at his side who knew him best at home after a long illness. Jim was born in Rockford, IL on April 14, 1938 to Harry James and Lois Euberta (Knott) McCammond and was a graduate from Stillman Valley High School, the...
Rev. Kenneth J. Stachyra
September 27, 2025
Reverend Kenneth J. Stachyra, 75, died on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Rockford.
Father was born on August 3, 1950, in Chicago to Chester and Josephine (Sadley) Stachyra. Father attended Niles College of Loyola University, Chicago (1968-1972). Father attended Seminary at Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, WI (1997-2001).
Father Stachyra was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2001, by...
Melanie J. Fazio
September 26, 2025
Melanie J. Fazio, 76, passed away on September 26, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in Mobile, Alabama on November 16, 1948, daughter to William and Virginia (Cascio) Fazio. Melanie grew up in Rockford, IL, where she would go on to graduate from Boylan Catholic High School, class of 1966. She then attended Rockford College, graduating with a bachelor’s...
Thomas "Tom" J. Casey
September 26, 2025
Thomas Joseph Casey, 75, of Rockford, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. Born June 27, 1950, to Marijule (Bombard) and James Casey in Belvidere, IL. He attended St. James Catholic and public schools in Belvidere. Tom had many adventures as a young adult; working on a fishing boat in Alaska, in the oil fields in Montana, and owned his own...
Roderick B. Leezer
September 25, 2025
Roderick B. Leezer, 77, Rockford, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He was born in Rockford on April 7, 1948, the son of Rod and Beverly (Greenberg) Leezer. Rod proudly served in the Marine Corps Reserves before earning his bachelor’s degree in Business from Northern Illinois University in 1972. On February 2, 1974, he married the...
Eugene "Gino" LaRosa
September 24, 2025
Eugene “Gino” LaRosa, 79, of Cherry Valley, IL, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.
Friends and family are invited to a memorial visitation at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Born in Rockford, IL on January 2, 1946, Gino graduated from West High School and...
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Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. offers a collection of obituaries for Rockford, IL & Winnebago County. With services throughout Illinois that are updated regularly. Find local Rockford, Illinois obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies.
