Charles "Bud" N. Bratina

Charles “Bud” N. Bratina, 78, of Rockford, IL, passed away in his home on Thursday, October 17, 2019 surrounded by his family.

Charles was born in Gary, IN on November 20, 1940, son of John S. and Violet R. (Prahovich) Bratina. He graduated from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, IN, Class of 1958 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1958 – 1961. He attended Indiana University in Gary. Charles married June Ellen Cragan on June 22, 1963 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He began working as a mechanic design engineer at D R Johnson and later managed Master Sheet Metal Contractors for many years. He was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church. Charles belonged to the Sheet Meal Air Conditioning National Association (SMACNA) and the Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club. He enjoyed design and building projects, fishing and shooting in the rifle club. Most of all, Charles loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was a friend to everyone and always willing to help. Charles will be dearly missed.

Surviving relatives include his loving wife, June Bratina; dear children, Timothy (Roxanne) Bratina, Joseph (Kathryn) Bratina, Dennis Bratina and Barbara Bratina (Mark Bridgeman); grandchildren, Mitchell, Andrew, Evan and Veronica Bratina; sisters, Jeannette Allen and Maryann Pujals; many loving nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, John (Betty) Cragan; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cragan and Mary Cragan Arnold. He is predeceased by his parents, John (Violet) Bratina; brother, John (Velma) Bratina; parents-in-law, Clarence (Florence) Cragan and brothers-in-law, James (Angela) Cragan, Joseph Cragan and Dennis Arnold.

Cremation rites will be accorded. Visitation will be Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive Rockford, IL 61109. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mercyhealth at Home, 2400 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103, the Poor Clare Colletine Nuns of Rockford, 2111 S. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103 or the Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St. Rockford, IL 61102.

Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com