Elizabeth "Betty" E. (Cropp) Gabel

Elizabeth “Betty” E. (Cropp) Gabel, 93, Rockford, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 25, 1929, in Rockford, the daughter of Ortho and Kathleen (Beetle) Cropp. Betty was a graduate of Bishop Muldoon High School, class of 1947. She married, Wayne F. Gabel, on September 11, 1948, in St. Patrick Catholic Church. She is a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.

Survived by her husband of almost 75 years, Wayne; her children, Gail (Dennis) Hutchins of Rockford, Jack Gabel (VA Home) Quincy, IL, Loretta DeGroat of Belmont, WI, Mary Beth Mengelt of Rockford, Julia (Mike) Cuccinelli of Roscoe, and Bruce (Brenda) Gabel of Loves Park; daughter-in-law, June Gabel of Winnebago, 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; her brothers, Milton Cropp of Machesney Park and Ron (Barbara) Cropp of Rockford; her brother-in-law, Charles Johnson of The Villages; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; her daughter, Barbara Ann Horsfall; her sons, Tom and Mark Gabel; her son-in-law, Kirk Mengelt, her daughter-in-law, Linda Gabel; her grandson, Daniel DeGroat; her brother, Vince Cropp; her sisters, Lois Alms, Evelyn Alms, Juanita Metters, Cathy Johnson, her brothers-in-law, Burton Alms, Alvin Alms, and Robert Metters and her sisters-in-law, Frannie Cropp, Ann Cropp, and Donna Taylor.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Av. Rockford. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Av. Rockford and again from 9:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M. on Tuesday at the church. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.