Rudolph Puricelli

Rudolph Puricelli, Jr. 85, a lifelong resident of Rockford, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 21, 2007. Born November 8, 1921 the son of Rudolph and Florence (Folio) Puricelli, Sr. He was a graduate of Rockford Central High School and served in the United States Navy as a Radar Technician on the USS Bataan. On November 7, 1945 he married his loving wife Betty Johnson at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He worked for 45 years at Barnes Drill in the engineering and sales department until his retirement in 1985. Rudolph was a very kind and gentle man who loved and cared for his entire family. He was a member of the Elks Club, a volunteer driver for OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, on the School Board for Guilford Center School, booster club volunteer, an election judge, a jury commissioner and served as county task force member for River Bluff Nursing Home. Rudolph was exceptionally proud of his second career as a greeter at Wal-Mart. nbsp; nbsp; Survived by his loving wife Betty of 62 years, children Jill K. (Tom) Becker of Rockford, IL.;nbsp; Jack T. (Lori) Puricelli of Grand Rapids, MI.;nbsp; Jody Jungerberg-Lundstrom (Mark) of Rockford, IL.;nbsp; loving sister and brother-in-law Barbara (Laverne)nbsp; Lynch of Rockford, IL, ; beloved brother-in-law and sister-in-lawnbsp; Fred and Mary Jane Johnson, of Rockford, IL.nbsp; Grandchildren Jason (Junko) Bice of San Francisco, CA.;nbsp; Lauren Peterson of Rockford, IL. ; Erin Jungerberg and Megan Jungerberg of Rockford, IL,nbsp;nbsp; Taylor Puricelli of Grand Rapids, MI and Adam Puricelli of Chicago, IL, Step-grandchildren Anton Lundstrom and Tor Lundstrom of Rockford, IL,nbsp; Special life-long childhood friends Jerry and Vinbsp; Zanocco, and beloved dear pet and family dog Sissy.nbsp; Predeceased by loving in-laws Allfred and Catherine Johnson and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ruth and Warren Scott. nbsp; nbsp;A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Monsignor Thomas E. Bales Officiating. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108 with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to: Alzheimers Association, 4777 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108.