Our Staff
Tom Fitzgerald is a 3rd generation funeral director and owner of Fitzgerald Funeral Home. A lifelong resident of Rockford, Tom began working in his family's funeral home at the age of 16. Tom graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1969 and attended Loras College from 1969 to 1971. In 1973, Tom graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science and started his career as a funeral director which has spanned five decades at Fitzgerald Funeral Home. In January of 1974, Tom married the love of his life, Maureen Boland of Freeport. They are proud parents of three children and the very proud grandparents of three grandsons, Aidan, Austen, and Avery Fitzgerald. Tom attended the Life Appreciation Course in 1981 and has received many awards during his time as owner of Fitzgerald Funeral Home including the Pursuit of Excellence Award, The Boylan Alumni of the Year award in 2008, the Secretary of State Jesse White Award for Organ Donations and Runner Up for Funeral Director of the Year 2011 in The American Funeral Director's Magazine to name a few. Tom enjoys boating, is an avid reader, is a student of politics, and is currently serving on the board for the Rockford Catholic Diocese.
Tom can be reached at 815-226-2273.
Being a 4th generation family member in the funeral business, Patrick has dedicated his life to Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Growing up in the industry, Patrick has witnessed the dedication and continual changes required in order to better incorporate family into the funeral process. In May 2012, Patrick received his certification as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Funeral Service Practices. This academy believes that personal as well as professional development, together, combine to insure a better funeral service professional. Patrick's "family first" ideals are also reflected in his own family with his three sons, Aidan, Austen and Avery. He enjoys spending time with his family, being with his friends, and enjoying the outdoors.
Patrick can be reached at 815-226-2273.
Dan Hougan was born, raised and currently resides in Rockford. Dan worked for 25 years in the long - term healthcare industry. He is a 2017 graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science and a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Dan has a passion for funeral service and is honored to serve families in their most difficult times. Dan is married to his wife, Wendy and has two adult daughters, Stephanie and Brianna. In his off-time Dan enjoys the serenity of nature, the outdoors and spending time with his dog, Bruno and his many African cichlids.
Stacey Bonacorsi is a native of the Cherry Valley/Rockford area. Stacey graduated from Boylan Catholic High School and later went on to attend Rock Valley College. Stacey has been a part of the Fitzgerald Funeral Home family since 2003 and she enjoys meeting all of our families and assisting them to make their services special while adding that personalized touch. In her spare time, Stacey loves spending time with her family, especially with her husband, Chad; daughter, Isabella, and son, Cameron.
Stacey can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Melinda Hagerman is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and has been with Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory in Rockford since 1986. She attended Central Missouri State University and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She started the first bereavement after-care program through funeral homes in northern Illinois 20 years ago and has facilitated numerous support groups. She has spoken both locally and nationally on grief and bereavement and does many presentations and in-services to civic organizations, church groups, schools, support groups, and medical staff. She considers it a privilege to be able to spend time with families at this important and difficult time as they begin their journey following the death of someone important in their lives. She has been active in numerous community organizations and boards for many years and was especially honored to be the recipient of the Crusader Clinic "Spirit of Caring" Award and to be named one of the top 5 finalists as "Rockford Woman of the Year". Melinda is available as a resource person to educate and speak on funeral service and funeral pre-planning - she can be reached at 815-226-2273.
Fred G. Muehlfelder has been a resident of Rockford since 1971 and a licensed funeral director since 1972. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has spent the majority of his life in the Illinois and Wisconsin areas. Fred is an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and has served on almost all of the church committees throughout the years since he moved to Rockford. Fred is also active in many business and not-for-profit organizations, including being the former President and board member of the 7th Street Business Association from 1974-2000. Fred has also served as a President and board member of Lifescape Community Services and Community Kitchen from 1988-present, President and board member of Illinois Growth Enterprises from 2001-2014, a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) from 1994-present, and is an active member of the Rockford chapter of the United States Sail and Power Squadron since 1990. Fred also helped found the Northern Illinois Eye Bank, a division of the Michigan Eye Bank and Transplantation Center. During his free time, Fred enjoys spending time with his wife, Lois, boating down the Mississippi River and enjoys relaxing or traveling with his wife, their 6 children, his 9 grandchildren, and numerous friends.
Fred can be reached at 815-226-2273.
Ryan M. Schoaf joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in January 2018. He knew he was being called to the ministry of Funeral Service when he was a junior in High School. A native of Sterling, IL, Ryan graduated from Newman Central Catholic High School in 2014. He then attended Sauk Valley Community College, wasting no time to complete the necessary requirements before heading off to mortuary school. Ryan graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2016. He is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling and currently resides in Rock Falls. Ryan is an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings the Chicago Cubs and the Blackhawks. In his spare time, he enjoys all things outdoors, especially fishing, duck hunting, and golfing, as well as spending time with friends, family, and his wife, Alexis.
Ryan can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Zaih joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in September 2018. She was born in Rockford and graduated from Winnebago High School in 2015. She graduated from Rock Valley College in 2017 and in 2018 she graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Sciences. Zaih has known for most of her life that she wanted to work in the funeral industry helping families in their time of need. In her free time, she likes to go to the B.W.C.A and go on family canoeing trips. She also likes to give a lot of her attention to her cats and dogs.
Zaih can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Greg Johnson joined the Fitzgerald Funeral Home staff in April 2014. He was influenced early in his life to choose funeral service as a career by a caring funeral director in his community. He grew up on his family farm in Ohio, Illinois where he assisted with all aspects of farming. Greg graduated from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg in 2007. He is an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan and loves to go fishing in his spare time.
Greg can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Diana joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in January of 2020. She is a graduate of Oregon High School, class of 2019. Diana completed her pre-requisite classes at Kishwaukee College and is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, class of September 2021. Diana earned her Funeral Directors license in May of 2023! In her free time, she likes to bake, read romance novels, snow and water ski, ride her motorcycle with her husband, and spend time with her family, husband, Connor, and corgi, Ryder. A fun fact about Diana is that she is a Christmas fanatic and loves decorating for the holidays. Diana has dreamed of being a funeral director since a young age and is eager to help and serve families in need. She also serves as an Illinois Public Notary.
Diana can be reached at our Mulford Chapel at 815-226-2273.
Jacob joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in August of 2024. He grew up in Odell, IL, and later graduated for Pontiac Township Highschool in 2018. Jacob went on to graduate from Heartland Community College in Normal, IL, with an Associate Degree, then continuing on to pursue his education in funeral sciences at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, graduating with an Associate in Applied Funeral Science in April of 2022. He currently resides in Oregon, IL, with his girlfriend Libby and their two cats, Albert “Chibby” and Walter. Jacob enjoys spending time with them and being active outside, especially fishing.
Jacob can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Jordan joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in June 2023. She grew up in the Bloomingdale area and graduated from Lake Park High School in 2019. She then graduated from the College of DuPage in 2021, obtaining her degree and license in cosmetology. Jordan also graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in March 2023. She has known she wanted to work in funeral service since she was young and is passionate about helping families during their time of grief. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, writing, playing guitar, and spending time with her dog. She can be reached at our Mulford Chapel at (815) 226-2273.
Lindsey joined Fitzgerald Funeral Home in September 2023. She is a graduate of Rockford East High School, Class of 2015. She completed her pre-requisite classes at Rock Valley College and is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Class of September 2023. In her free time, she loves to be outside, play with her dogs, spend time with her family, and enjoys reading. Lindsey can be reached at our Mulford Chapel at 815-226-2273.
Pat was born and raised in Rockford, graduating from Boylan High School in 1969, and attending Rock Valley College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. As the Director of Customer Service for three national companies, Pat focused priorities on customer satisfaction. That commitment to excellence always increased market share and profitability for those companies.
Pat is married to Cindy, who has worked her entire career as a Pediatrics Intensive Care Nurse. After almost 30 years away from Rockford, they decided to return. They have two children, who also graduated from Boylan and are now attending college. Their daughter is studying Speech Pathology and their son is studying Criminal Justice. They are proud members of St. Bridget parish.
Pat can be reached at the Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
Kris was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management and minoring in Business Administration. After nearly 30 years in hospitality, Kris' passion for serving, and an encouraging referral, landed her with the incredible team at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in Family Services, "I know personally how helpful it was to my mother and family to have everything pre-planned when my father passed away."
Kris lives in Saint Charles, Illinois with her husband, son, dog, and numerous fish, in addition, to other wildlife that join them along the Fox River.
Kris can be reached at the Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273
Delinda Grindle, LCSW worked with Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, to develop our Soulprints Aftercare Program, a caring and sensitive program to assist those who have lost a loved one. Delinda helps you in your journey through grief and loss; and provides the opportunity to begin the process of embracing the uniqueness of your grief. In doing so, Delinda will assist you in finding a new meaning and purpose in life and living in a world that has now changed.
Soulprints Aftercare Program provides one-on-one or family grief support, which is an important part of your total care. If you are interested in receiving this service, please call our office at (815) 226-2273 and Delinda will schedule a time for you to meet with her.
Ashley Lundquist was born and raised in the Rockford/Machesney Park area. She graduated from Harlem High School in 2010. She has always had a passion for helping people during difficult times and after spending 7 years in healthcare she decided she was ready for new experiences. She has been married to her husband, Nicolas, for 4 years. They have two dogs, Hank and Bubs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, especially watching them play sports. She also loves to be outside, gardening and boating. Ashley is eager to learn and help all of the families we serve.
Ashley can be reached at our Mulford Chapel, 815-226-2273.
