Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Kay Marie Loftus

Kay Marie Loftus

Dec 15, 2024

Kay Marie Loftus, age 77, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in Davenport, Iowa to William D. Smyser and Mary E. Jones on January 27, 1947, and was the oldest of six children. She graduated from Assumption High School in Davenport in 1965. 

She worked as a legal secretary at the Rock Island Arsenal...

Lucille R. Westbrook

Lucille R. Westbrook

Dec 14, 2024

Lucille R. (Blair) Westbrook, 90 of Rockford, Illinois passed away Saturday December 14, 2024 after a long illness in the care of family and hospice. Born January 12, 1934. The daughter of Donald and Clara (Cook) Blair. Graduated from Monroe Center High School and SwedishAmerican School of Nursing. Married George L. Westbrook on January 15, 1955. She was a pediatric...

Jeffrey Dreisbach

Jeffrey Dreisbach

Dec 11, 2024

Jeffrey A Dreisbach, 60, of Montgomery, passed away in Rockford on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Born on June 8th of 1964 to Raymond and Donna (Kubica) Dreisbach in Chicago, Illinois, Jeffrey was a truck driver for many years. He was well known by friends and family for his great sense of humor, his strong work ethic, and his unending dedication...

Mary Ann Hirsch

Mary Ann Hirsch

Dec 11, 2024

Mary Ann Hirsch, 88, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. She was born on October 11, 1936, in Wapella, IL to Lawrence and Mary (O’Rourke) Toohill. She graduated from Wapella High School in 1954 then St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1957, where she received her degree in nursing. She married Frank J. Hirsch on November 15, 1958,...

Michael Battista

Michael Battista

Dec 11, 2024

Michael Battista, 95, of Rockford, passed away on December 11, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on July 15, 1929, in Triggiano, Italy, to Joseph and Maria (Pompilio) Battista. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served aboard the U.S.S. Melvin during the Korean War. On August 22, 1955, he married Pasqua Grisanzio in Italy, and together they...

Linda Gail Miller

Linda Gail Miller

Dec 9, 2024

Linda Gail Miller, 68, of Rockford, passed away at home on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Linda was born July 22, 1956, in Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Leslie and Zadie (Oliver) Shively. She graduated from Graham High School and later worked in the healthcare industry for many years. Linda married Steve Joe Miller on October 11, 1987, at Jefferson Heights Baptist Church....

Vanessa A. Meyers

Vanessa A. Meyers

Dec 8, 2024

Vanessa A. Meyers, 70, of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Born in Rockford, Illinois, to Alex and Violet (Lundgren) Smith on March 2, 1954. She married Wayne L. Meyers on May 13, 2005. Vanessa worked as a paraprofessional at East High School up until her retirement in 2018. She enjoyed crocheting and road tripping with Wayne, visiting...

Karin Ann Kullberg

Karin Ann Kullberg

Dec 8, 2024

Karin Ann (Eklund) Kullberg, 86, born August 9th, 1938, in Rockford, IL to Henry and Kerstin Eklund passed away peacefully on December 8th, 2024, in hospice care at The Radcliff in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Karin was a 1956 graduate of East High School, attended Augustana College, received her bachelor’s degree from Rockford College and then later went on to get her...

Janet S. Keating

Janet S. Keating

Dec 8, 2024

Janet Sarah (Pittenger) Keating, 77, born December 10, 1946, in Rockford, IL to Anita (Kissel) Pittenger and Kenneth Davis Pittenger. She died December 8, 2024, in hospice care at OSF St. Anthony’s.

She attended Rockford Public Schools: Montague, Lincoln MS, graduating from Rockford East High School in 1964. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1968 in sociology.

She...

Sergio P. Petti

Sergio P. Petti

Dec 7, 2024

Sergio Paes Petti, 74, of Rockford, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 7, 2024, surrounded by love. Born on June 11, 1950, in São Paulo, Brazil, Sergio was the cherished son of Orlando and Celita (Paes) Petti.

In 1980, Sergio married the love of his life, Hilevi Cristina Yamaki, in Brazil. Together, they built a beautiful life over 44...

Lori A Rother

Lori A Rother

Dec 7, 2024

Lori A. Rother, 62, passed away on December 7, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. As her life gracefully unfurled, Lori's unwavering strength shone brightly. She faced the closing chapter of her life with serene dignity, passing peacefully in her home, surrounded by the presence of her devoted daughter, a final embrace of love. Lori was born on December 8, 1961, daughter...

Jean Marie Harezlak

Jean Marie Harezlak

Dec 5, 2024

Jean Marie Harezlak, known for her love, friendship, and strength, passed away surrounded by family on December 5, 2024. She lived a life encouraging others to pursue their dreams, championing education and beauty in her community, and seeking opportunities to celebrate life's joys. She was an extraordinary mother and partner.



Born and raised into a loving family in Rockford, IL, on...

Elsie Louise Knack

Elsie Louise Knack

Dec 5, 2024

Elsie Louise Knack, 102, Rockford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She was born on October 22, 1922, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Martin and Elsie (Irion) Karasek. Elsie was a graduate of Afton High School. She married John Knack in St. Louis, MO on May 21, 1955. John...

Jack Holst

Jack Holst

Dec 4, 2024

Jack Holst, 84, Rockford, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Aurora, IL on September 4, 1940, the son of Marvin and Mary Lou (Winn) Holst. He married Sharon (Wienecke) Holst on October 3, 1964, in Loves Park, IL they were married for 60 years.

For 32 years, Jack dedicated himself to a...

Carol J. Hale

Carol J. Hale

Dec 3, 2024

 Carol J. Hale, a wonderful human being whom was loved by all, passed away on December, 3 2024 at the age of 80. Carol’s life began March 3, 1944 to the parents of Harry “Bud” Mary (nee: Walsh) Ostendorf in Chicago’s South Shore Hospital. 

She graduated Fenger High School where she loved being a “Titanette.” Carol went to Western Illinois University...

Kerry E. Setter

Kerry E. Setter

Dec 3, 2024

Kerry Elizabeth (Fluder) Setter, 35, of Rockford, passed away in her home on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with her loving family by her side. 

Kerry was born July 22, 1989, in Chicago, Illinois to Jerome and Wendy (Young) Fluder. She grew up in Chicago with her brother, Kevin, and cousin, Erica. She attended St. Therese Catholic School and Walter Payton College...

Angelo Philip Nicolosi

Angelo Philip Nicolosi

Dec 3, 2024

Angelo Philip Nicolosi, 74, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, at 9:05 p.m. at Javon Bea Mercy Hospital in Rockford, Illinois, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on July 2, 1950, in Rockford, Illinois, Angelo was the beloved husband of Pamela (Koral) Nicolosi and the proud father of four children: Philip (Tricia) Nicolosi, Eli Nicolosi, Cara (Toby) Lask, Rachel (Joel)...

Dan R. Schafman

Dan R. Schafman

Dec 3, 2024

Danny R. "Dan" Schafman, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 3, 2024, just two days shy of his 80th birthday. Born on December 5, 1944, in Rockford, Illinois, Dan was a vibrant spirit whose life touched the hearts of many.

Dan was the cherished son of Clarence and Esther (Behling) Schafman. He grew up surrounded by...

Robert L. Rush

Robert L. Rush

Dec 2, 2024

Robert L. Rush, 91, passed away Monday, December 2, 2024. He was the son of the late Dewey and Gladys (Fisher) Rush. Born March 22, 1933 in Osseo, MN, at the family farm during a blizzard. He graduated in 1951 from Osseo High School in Osseo, MN. Following high school, he worked in construction for a short time. He was...

Kathleen "Kathy" M. Falzone

Kathleen "Kathy" M. Falzone

Nov 29, 2024

Kathleen (Kathy) M. (O’Neil) Falzone, 81, of Morris Chapel, TN, former Cherry Valley resident, went to be with her Lord peacefully on November 29, 2024. 

On November 30, 1942, Kathy was born in Mason City, Iowa to Margaret (White) O'Neil and Carol O’Neil. She moved to Loves Park, IL as a child where she was raised by her mother and stepfather,...

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