Kenneth "John" Malmberg Jr.

Kenneth “John” Malmberg Jr. passed away Sunday, November 26, 2023. Born in Springfield, Illinois on January 5, 1938, to Dr. Kenneth J. and Eunice (Rigge) Malmberg. He attended grade school and high school in Auburn, Illinois. Graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. John entered the life insurance business with Connecticut Mutual, now Mass Mutual, in 1965. He then retired from the business after 39 years. On December 31, 1986, he married the love of his life, Randee.

John was also a member of and became a chartered life underwriter, CLU, as well as a chartered financial consultant, CFC. He was a former president of CLU and member on the board of Booker Washington Community Center. He was also past president of the American Business Club and former member of the Rockford Jaycees.

John had a great interest in antiques, joining the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association, Northern Illinois Antiques Dealers Association, and a proud member of the Golden Glow of Christmas Past for over 25 years.

In his free time, he loved fishing in Canada and the Northwoods of Wisconsin. He loved his ‘never to be missed’ breakfast every Thursday morning group with the guys. Most of all, he loved to travel to New England with Randee to hunt for Early American Antiques. During the summer, he could be found in the yard with his ‘groundcrew’ of favorite landscape helpers.

He is survived by his loving wife, Randee Malmberg, children Matthew (Kimberlee) Malmberg and William Draugelis, granddaughter Madelynn, his sister Jane Devine, and nephews John and Dan (Liza) Devine. He is predeceased by his parents.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the following caregivers: Marissa Manuntag, Amanda Wessman, Arika Werner, Melanie Tack, and Joshua Roskopp, along with many others in the past. Also, special thanks to OSF hospice nurse, Lisa Townsend.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois, 61108. A Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Reverend Dr. Michael Thomas officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Crusader Clinic, the Salvation Army of Rockford, or Milestone, Inc. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.