Rita Marie Gibler

Rita Marie Gibler, loving wife, mother, nana, aunt, and friend.

Rita Marie Gibler died on September 30, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 15, 1939, in Amite, Louisiana. The daughter of Anthony Tuminaro and Catherine (Ruffino) Tuminaro. Rita has been a resident of Rockford, Illinois since 1951. She married Frank Gibler, the love of her life, on July 15, 1961, in Rockford.

Rita worked at Barber Colman for over 30 years, retiring in 2001. She also worked at A.C. Thompson school as a lunch aide after she retired for over five years. She loved the kids and some of them would call her grandma.

Rita will be so missed. All who met her loved her. She had such an amazing sense of humor and vibrant personality and a loving heart and soul.

Survivors include her husband, Frank, daughter; Traci O’Connell, grandson; Brennan O’Connell, brother; Al Tuminaro, sister; Sarah Gilmour, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, brother; Carl, sister; Sarah Louise, infant daughter; Dawn Marie, and very special cousin; Mary Mather (Blondie).

Services will be Saturday, October 7, 2023. Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or March of Dimes. A very special thank you to the nurses at OSF St. Anthony and the OSF Home Health & Hospice for all the support, compassion and care they have shown to Rita and the family. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com