Shirley V. Schlichting

Shirley V. Schlichting, 90, Rockford, died peacefully at home surrounded by family members on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Born January 6, 1932 in Eagle Bend, MN, daughter of Elmer and Flossie (Taylor) Johnson. Married Ernest Schlichting on March 10, 1951. She worked for Carl Dargene, president of Amerock Corp. for 10 years until Shirley and Ernest founded Schlichting & Sons Excavating, Inc. in 1968. She was a member of Willow Creek Presbyterian Church. Shirley and Ernest were long time supporters of many community organizations, including Rock River Valley Food Pantry, Loves Park Food Pantry, Rockford Rescue Mission and Harlem Community Center.

Her family was the main focus of her life. Shirley loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren above all others. She was known for her dedication to hard work, her generous spirit, her kind heart, her passion for family and friends, and will be forever cherished as our loving matriarch. She had many hobbies and interests including traveling with her husband, gardening, canning, cooking, quilting, crossword puzzles, golfing and an insatiable fondness for reading.

Survivors include her children, Bruce Schlichting, Connie DiGiovanni, Steven (Robin) Schlichting and Bob (Pamela) Schlichting; grandchildren, Brian, Lisa, Nicholas, David, Robert, Travis, Brooke, Mark, Jake; step-grandchildren, Janelle, Julie and Jennifer; 33 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Alice Johnson, Donna Schlichting and Rosemary Salzwedel. She is predeceased by her husband Ernest (2013), her grandson, Philip, sisters Bernice and Dorothy, and brother Dennis.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Rev. Lauren Patrus-Betzel officiating. Visitation from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Rockford Rescue Mission, Rock River Valley Food Pantry or OSF St. Anthony Hospice. Send condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.