Kellie J. McGrath

Kellie Jean McGrath, 62, passed away surrounded by family, following a sudden illness. She was born in Sparta, Illinois, the daughter of Dean and Jeanne (nee Korando) Gordon. She graduated from Chester High School, class of 1980, and was a Marching Yellow Jacket. She married Jim McGrath in 1997, in Rockford, Illinois. Kellie worked as an account manager for Midland Paper for many years. Kellie enjoyed gardening, singing, bird watching, and sewing with her granddaughter. She loved to bake; she especially cherished hosting the family’s Christmas “cookie bake”. Together Jim and Kellie liked traveling to Key West and loved being at the beach. Her favorite place to go was to see her cousin Randy in Georgia. She was known as the “Best Aunt Kellie Ever” to her nieces and nephews. She loved her family and the time they spent together during the Thanksgiving Turkey Ride and at the Christmas Dice Game. She adored her dog, Ziggy. Kellie compassionately donated a bicycle to Toys for Tots every year for the past five years. Kellie was a strong, beautiful, caring, and selfless wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend.

Kellie is survived by those who loved her most; husband, Jim; mother, Jeanne Kleinschmidt; children, Deana (James) Foley, Jonathan Eggemeyer, and Stacey (Mallory) Eggemeyer; grandchildren, Adrian, Dylan, and Anthony Girone, and Stella, EvaMarie, Emsley, and Xavier Foley; sister Julie (Rudy) Eggemeyer; brother Dean “Buddy” (Angie) Gordon; brothers-in-law, Mike, Pat, and Dennis (Cathy) McGrath; sisters-in-law, Sally (Ed) DePaoli and Cathy (Kris) Axberg; and numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends. She is predeceased by her father, Dean Wilson Gordon Jr.; son, Michael Eggemeyer; brother, Michael Gordon; spouse, Joe Eggemeyer; sisters-in-law, Stacey McGrath and Carol Wells; and in-laws, Bob and Ivis McGrath.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Blessing Hospital of Quincy, IL and OSF St. Anthony Medical Center of Rockford, IL, for their wonderful care of Kellie.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to help cover medical expenses, with a portion going to a charity of the family’s choice. Please share memories and condolences online at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.