Mary A. Steele

Mary A. Steele, 89, of Rockford, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday, November 8, 2015. She was born in Chicago on November 1, 1926; to parents Jesse and Phyllis (Moya) Melendrez. She married her loving husband Robert Steele on April 6, 1956, and they spent 59 wonderful years together before Robert’s passing this past March. Mary grew up in Dixon, Illinois; and then later moved to Rockford. She was a devout member of St. James Catholic Church, and also enjoyed baking pies for her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, DeeDee (Mark) Fassbinder, Valerie (Dan) Heaslip, Robert (Meribeth) Steele; grandchildren, Nick (Anna) Nunally, Rachel (Eric) Johnson, Michael Schoenberg, Stephanie (Todd Hatfield) Schoenberg; great grandchildren, Luke and Emma Nunally; siblings, Helen Clayton, Phil Melton, Connie Broderick, Dolly Biggerstaff, and Ben Melendrez.

Mary is predeceased by her husband Bob, her parents, and 6 brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 12, 2015; at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. Burial will follow immediately to Arlington Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until time of service on Thursday. Memorial donations may be given to Mary’s family to be determined at a later time. To share condolences online please visit, www.fitzgeraldfh.com