Eleanor F. (Doherty) Johnson

Eleanor F. (Doherty) Johnson, 82, of Rockford died at 10:40 p.m., Thursday, July 20, 2017, at Presence St. Anne Center. Born August 11, 1934, in Rockford; daughter of Leon and Ann Elizabeth (Von Der Vellen) Doherty. Eleanor was a 1953 graduate of Muldoon High School, and went on to marry her loving and devoted husband, Gerald H. Johnson on October 14, 1961. Eleanor was generous with her time, volunteering with St. Anthony Hospital Pink Ladies, Winnebago County Election Board, and a member of the Doherty Mall Walkers. Eleanor loved sweets, an occasional casino trip, and a good laugh, but most of all she loved and adored her family. Eleanor will be remembered always as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Johnson of New York, Kevin Johnson of Rockford, Karen (Tony) Belman of Rockford, Thomas (MarChelle) Johnson of Rockford, Marianne (William Fredrick) Niedermeier of Rockford, and William (Kerry) Johnson of Moline; grandchildren, Eric (Paulina) Belman, Andrea Belman, Adam (fiancé, Paige Graham) Belman, Joel Belman, Gabby Niedermeier, Jonah Niedermeier, Emily Johnson, Adian Johnson, and Noah Johnson; great grandchildren, Knox Belman and Addison Belman; siblings, Marjorie Bengston of Rockford, Betty (J.O.) Koplin of Colorado, Kathleen (Jim) North of Rockford, Marilyn Wolfe of Rockford, Paul Doherty of Highland, Indiana, Harry (Charlene) Doherty of Rockford, Mike (Margaret Knoup) Doherty of Rockford; sister in-law, June Doherty of Rockford, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Eleanor is predeceased by her husband Gerald in 2010, her parents; brothers, Patrick and Larry Doherty; sisters in-law, Lois, Betty, and Carol Doherty; brothers in-law, Cliff Bengston, Bill Dutmer, and Ron Wolfe. Eleanor's family would like to thank the staff members at Cherryvale Place, Presence Saint Anne Center, and OSF Hospice. A very special thank you to Stephanie Walker of Cherryvale Place.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 27, 2017 at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford, IL, 61109. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108; and will continue at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Church. Burial will follow immediately to Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: The Rockford Rescue Mission.