Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Owen L. Heinrich

Owen L. Heinrich

May 24, 2025

Owen L. Heinrich, 90, of Rockford, entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Born in Leota, Missouri, on May 13, 1935, to Phillip “Doc” and Nellie (Burgess) Heinrich. He attended West Plains High School and moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1953. He married Lillian Santee in Rockford on August 6, 1955. Owen entered active duty...

Rosene Mary (Hoskins/Didier) Anderson

Rosene Mary (Hoskins/Didier) Anderson

May 22, 2025

Rosene Mary Anderson (Hoskins/Didier), 87, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Rockford on November 8, 1937, the daughter of Mathias and Dorothy (Rankin) Didier. She worked as a layout artist for several Rockford businesses and in the Art Department of the Rockford Register Star Newspaper for...

Jay H. Fern

Jay H. Fern

May 21, 2025

Jay's obituary is pending at this time. 

Cremation rites entrusted with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory.

Geraldine L. Gustafson

Geraldine L. Gustafson

May 20, 2025

Geraldine L. Gustafson (nee Nosalik) 1941-2025 – Gerrie died on the evening of May 20, 2025 in her home in Rockford, Illinois surrounded by her daughters after a two plus year battle with stomach cancer. Mother, Friend, Journalist, Marketing & Communications Director, Community Volunteer, and Runner – Gerrie loved Rockford and quickly became an integral part of the the community,...

Gary I. Hanson Jr.

Gary I. Hanson Jr.

May 19, 2025

Gary I. Hanson Jr., fondly known as "Gator" and " The King" to his family, left us far too soon on May 19, 2025, in his birthplace of Rockford, Illinois. Born on September 25, 1966, the son of Gary Hanson Sr. and Linda Yarbrough. Gary grew up to be a kindhearted individual known for his mellow demeanor, humor, and ability...

Thomas Frederick Mohr

Thomas Frederick Mohr

May 19, 2025

Thomas (Tom) Frederick Mohr, 91, passed away in Rockford, Illinois, on May 19, 2025. He was born on September 16, 1933, in Jackson, Michigan, son to Maurice and Irene (Holland) Mohr. A passionate junior college basketball player with an acclaimed 2-handed set shot, Tom left Jackson Jr. College to enlist in the Army, recognizing the great benefit of the GI...

Irmgard M. Larson

Irmgard M. Larson

May 17, 2025

Irmgard Larson, 87, of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Born October 17, 1937 in Germany. Daughter of Elsa and Johan Lange.

Married Arnold Larson on July 20, 1962 in Iowa. She worked at Barber Coleman, several greenhouses, enjoyed babysitting her grandkids, nieces and nephews and was a homemaker. She also loved working in the garden and her...

Melissa S. Keip

Melissa S. Keip

May 16, 2025

Melissa Shawn (Miller) Keip, 39, Rockford, passed away on May 16, 2025. She was born on October 15, 1985, the daughter of M. Todd and Shawn (Bluege) Miller in Rockford. She married Adam Keip on July 11, 2009, in Rockford.

A devoted member of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Melissa cherished her faith and community. She was an avid reader with...

Wendy S. Breit

Wendy S. Breit

May 16, 2025

Wendy Sue Breit, 57 passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born on August 16, 1967, in Oregon, Illinois, and went on to graduate in 1985 from Oregon High School. Marrying the love of her life, Jody Breit, on December 18, 2007, stands as one of Wendy's proudest accomplishments. Their bond was a testament to...

Vincenzo Costa

Vincenzo Costa

May 15, 2025

Vincenzo Costa, age 104, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025. 

Vincenzo was born in Ucria, Sicily on February 26, 1921, the son of Sebastiano and Rosalia (Pinzone) Costa. He married Antonina "Mela" Barone in Ucria, Sicily on October 5, 1950. After moving to the United States, Vincenzo worked as a brick layer and was a highly skilled...

Carolyn E. Fiduccia

Carolyn E. Fiduccia

May 15, 2025

Carolyn E. Fiduccia, 91, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Born on September 21, 1933, in St. Augustine, Florida, to William Allen Rowand Sr. and Leona Mary Elizabeth Cash (Marie). Carolyn's life was marked by deep connections and unwavering dedication to her family and friends.

She was the devoted wife of the...

Robert L. Schopf

Robert L. Schopf

May 14, 2025

Robert "Bob" Leo Schopf, a devoted husband, father, grandfather “Bapa”, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2025, at the age of 93, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, on August 10, 1931, the son of Alfred and Myrtle (Doonan) Schopf. Bob was a proud veteran who served his country in the United States Navy during...

Anella M. Termondt

Anella M. Termondt

May 13, 2025

Anella Termondt - Hague, ND – Rockford, IL

Anella, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, passed peacefully on May 13, 2025.

Anella was born in Hague, North Dakota, to Joseph Lipp and Helen Materi. She grew up in a large and loving family with her siblings, Mary, Diane, Duane, Leonard, Joe, Alma, Mike, Vernon and Daniel.

Anella dedicated her life to caring...

Janet P. Malmberg

Janet P. Malmberg

May 11, 2025

Janet Palmeri Malmberg, 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 11, 2025. Born on July 21, 1940, Jan called Rockford home for most of her life, but her adventurous spirit took her on many travels around the world. She lived a life marked by her sharp intelligence, natural curiosity, and an irreverent sense of humor that brought smiles...

Helen Marie Gibbons

Helen Marie Gibbons

May 11, 2025

Helen Marie (Williams) Reeves, Gibbons was born on Thursday, June 27th, 1940, in Chicago, IL, in the Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Her parents were Eric Marion Williams (Deceased) and Hattie Sue Johnson (Deceased). Hattie Sue's death led to her placement along with her siblings in foster care (George and Fannie Weir).

She is preceded in death by her siblings Esther Louise Wright,...

Kenneth E. May

Kenneth E. May

May 8, 2025

Kenneth “Ken” E. May, 84, of Rockford, passed away on May 8, 2025, at OSF St. Anthony Hospital. He was born on November 9, 1940, in Ringwood, Illinois, the son of George and Mary (Meyer) May. He married Christine “Chris” Cameron in 1979 in Rockford. Ken earned his associates degree from Rockford Business College and worked as a commercial loan...

Steve Benedict

Steve Benedict

May 7, 2025

Steven M. Benedict, 63, passed away at home with loved ones by his side on May 7, 2025, after a courageous 5-year journey with esophageal cancer. Steve was born on February 22, 1962, in Aberdeen Proving Grounds Military Base, MD to Kathryn (Traynor) and Roger Benedict. He was a 1980 graduate of Rockford Public Schools.

Steve worked for Cardinal Glass Company...

Mary Ann Gerber

Mary Ann Gerber

May 7, 2025

Mary Ann Gerber, 81, of Rockford, IL passed away May 7, 2025. She was born July 14, 1943, in Neillsville, WI the daughter of Arnold and Elsie (Pfefferkorn) Halle. Mary Ann graduated form Neillsville High School and went on to obtain her master’s at Rockford College. She worked many years at Sunstrand Corp. and was a business teacher at Jefferson...

Michael K. Kozuck

Michael K. Kozuck

May 6, 2025

Michael Karl Kozuck, 72, of Belvidere, IL went to be with the Lord on May 6, 2025 after a long illness. He was born on June 5, 1952, in Rockford, IL, the son of Joseph and Ruthe (Wallmichrath) Kozuck. Michael was a devoted husband, loving father, and special son, brother, and friend to many.

Michael graduated from Boylan High School in...

Joan Marie Brown

Joan Marie Brown

May 5, 2025

Joan Marie Brown (née Burkart), age 89, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, in Loves Park, Illinois. Born on May 31, 1935, in Elgin, Illinois, Joan lived a life marked by unwavering faith, intellectual passion, and deep devotion to her family and community.A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Joan graduated from Illinois State University in 1957 with a degree...