Oct 4, 2024

Raymond R. Gonzales, affectionately known as “Gonzo,” passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024, surrounded by the loving embrace of family. Born on August 3, 1949, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Ester Cuellar. Raymond's journey took him through the halls of education at Rock Valley College, where he earned his associate's degree. He married Vickie Clarke on November...

Oct 3, 2024

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Tami Jo Zellmer: 10.25.68-10.3.2024

 Here we are again, in this rich process of both celebrating a life well lived, and grieving at the transition of death.

On this bright sunny day in October, just shy of her birthday, Tami passed away, peacefully in her bed at the Joshua House....

Oct 2, 2024

Mary Kathleen (Kostka) Thorne, 69, of Rockford, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. 

Mary was born in Rockford Illinois on April 30, 1955, daughter of John F. and Alice J. (Mickey) Kostka. She graduated from Boylan Catholic High School, Class of 1973 and went on to earn her master’s degree in art therapy at Northern Illinois University. Mary...

Oct 1, 2024

Marguerite Elias Wagner, 96, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on October 1, 2024, in the compassionate care of Wesley Willows in Rockford, Illinois. Born on April 21, 1928, in Duluth, Minnesota, Margie lived a life of dedication, grace, and civic engagement.

After graduating from Ward-Belmont Finishing School, Margie attended both the University of Minnesota and the University of Colorado...

Sep 30, 2024

James “Jim” M. Newell Sr., 78, of Rockford, passed away at home on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Jim was born in Rockford, Illinois on March 14, 1946, the son of Edward and Agnes (Kurkerewicz) Newell. He graduated from Auburn High School. Jim worked for Bishop’s Printing of Rockford for many years until starting his own successful business, Jim’s Home Repair. He...

Sep 30, 2024

James “Jim” David Barton, 76, of Winnebago, passed away on September 30, 2024. He was born on April 15, 1948, in Freeport, Illinois, the son of John P. and Leila E. (Thomasson) Barton Sr. He graduated from Boylan High School, class of 1966. He married Christa M. Chaney on November 30, 1974, at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford, and...

Sep 29, 2024

Joseph “Joe” E. Capone, 91, Rockford, passed away on Sunday September 29, 2024, at OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital with his loving family surrounding him. He was born on December 20, 1932, in Peoria, IL, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Becker) Capone. Joe was raised in Freeport, IL before moving to Rockford in 1945. Joe attended catholic schools, then graduated...

Sep 28, 2024

Sep 27, 2024

Katherine J. McWilliams, “Kay,” 88, passed away in her residing town of Rockford, Illinois on Friday, September 27, 2024. She was born on November 21, 1935, daughter to Walter and Anna (Miller) Burris (predeceased). Kay married the love of her life, Robert,“Bob” McWilliams in Kentucky on May 12, 1951. They were happily married until 2013 when Bob passed away. She...

Sep 26, 2024

Stephen Carl Hotlen passed away in his home surrounded by family in the early hours of Thursday, September 26, 2024. He was 83 years old. Born March 26, 1941, in the southside of Chicago at Michael Reese Hospital to Ruth (née Redd) and Auburn “Jack” Hotlen, Stephen was a lifelong White Sox fan. He graduated from Hononegah High School in...

Sep 26, 2024

Debra Leigh Giesler, 68, known to family and friends as Debi, passed away on September 26, 2024, in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois. She fought hard and ultimately lost her battle with Leukemia. Born on November 27, 1955, daughter to James and Josephine (LaMarca) Reiland. A proud graduate of Boylan Catholic High School in 1973 Debi embarked on a remarkable...

Sep 24, 2024

Maria Mullen, 66, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on September 24, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Roccamena, Sicily on March 7, 1958, daughter to Gaspare and Francesca (Fasullo) Artale. At a very young age Maria and her family moved to Rockford, Illinois where she attended St. Anthony Grade School and Boylan Catholic High School, graduating...

Sep 22, 2024

William James Bondick, 74, a lifelong resident of Rockford, IL, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2024, surrounded by his family at home. Born on June 20, 1950, to Julian and Antonia Bondick. William, or Bill as he was known, lived a life dedicated to his family, interests and community.

 Bill spent 37 years working for the Rockford Department of Public...

Sep 22, 2024

Walter H. “Red” Bainbridge, Jr.

Red Bainbridge, 94, was called to eternal life on September 22, 2024, after a courageous seven-month battle with declining health. The only child of Walter H. and Willie Bainbridge, Red was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on May 3, 1930, and began ice skating in California at age six. A competitive figure skater in the singles,...

Sep 21, 2024

Robert A. Reitsch, 90 passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 21st. Bob was born February 26th, 1934, to Robert and Marion Armstrong Reitsch in Champaign, Illinois. He was raised along with his sister Jeanne in Rockford, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois, where he met and married his first wife Jaci Grear of Pinckneyville, Illinois....

Sep 19, 2024

Joseph F. Walker, 80, of Rockford, passed away at home on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

Joe was born in Rome, Georgia on January 20, 1944, the son of Raymond Walker and Barbara Rubin. He graduated from West High School, Class of 1961, and went on to complete the law enforcement academy to become a police officer. Joe proudly served his country...

Sep 19, 2024

Kathleen Kline, 70, Rockford, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Rockford on March 29, 1954, the daughter of Robert and Florence (Martorana) Kline. Kathleen married Andrea Severson in Rockford on February 5, 2014. She was a real estate agent and broker in the Rockford area for many...

Sep 18, 2024

Billy Gene Kinder, 79, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. He was born in Swifton, Arkansas, the son of Carl and Imogene (Jones) Kinder. Billy married Darlene Lorenz and she passed away in July of 2014. He worked as a machinist for Advanced Machine and Engineering for many years. After his retirement he worked as a delivery driver...

Sep 17, 2024

Nereo Casas Villegas, 52 of Rockford passed away unexpectedly on September 17,2024 surrounded by his family. Born on September 21, 1971 in Zacatecas, Mexico, the son of Nereo Casas Trujillo and Juana Villegas Nuñez.

A strong, hard working, charismatic and loved man who worked endlessly his entire life. He dedicated his life to his family and was a cowboy at heart...

Sep 16, 2024

Concetta “Connie” Furiani, 92, of Rockford, passed away on September 16, 2024. She was born on March 9, 1932, in Italy, the daughter of Raffaele and Petronilla (Scarafoni) Alessandrini. She married Renato Furiani in February of 1955, and he preceded her in death on March 19, 1997. She was devoted to her faith, a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic...