Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

James J. Ciaccio

James J. Ciaccio

February 6, 2021

James J. Ciaccio, 73, of Rockford, IL passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021. He was born October 18, 1947 in Rockford, IL the son of John and Mary (Fatone) Ciaccio. Jim married the love of his life, Cindy Merriott in 1977. He worked for 30 years at Pabst Blue Ribbon and 10 years at Walgreen’s. Jim was a hardworking, genuine...

Monte C. Webster

Monte C. Webster

February 6, 2021

Monte C. Webster, 63, passed away on February 6, 2021. He was born on November 15, 1957 in Norfolk, Nebraska, son to Faye and Patricia (Cederburg) Webster. He was always happiest spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. After graduation he joined the United States Marines. He worked hard his whole life to provide for his family. His greatest...

Linda K. Fowler

Linda K. Fowler

February 6, 2021

Linda Kay Fowler, 67, of Merrimac, WI, passed away peacefully in the presence of family as she went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Linda was born on February 5, 1954 in Belvidere, IL, daughter of Ralph Gorham and June (Heil) McLean. She graduated from Belvidere High School, Class of 1970. Linda married Patrick Fowler in...

Carole Smull

Carole Smull

February 3, 2021

Carole Smull, 70, Cherry Valley, passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Alden Park Strathmoor Nursing Home. She was born December 5, 1950, in Rice Lake, WI, the daughter of Larry and Bette (Kummett) Lewis. Carole was a daycare provider for many years and then worked as a paraprofessional in the library at Cherry Valley Elementary School until her retirement...

Stephen "Steve" Hilgart

Stephen "Steve" Hilgart

February 3, 2021

Stephen “Steve” Hilgart, 82, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Swedish American Hospital due to natural causes. Steve was born on October 8, 1938, in Chicago, IL, the son of Stephen Hilgart and Lillian (Swiately) Hilgart-Fennell. He married Mary Ann on August 5, 1956 in Chicago. She passed away on May 30, 2004. Steve retired from Stone Wheel,...

Gene A. Stienecker

Gene A. Stienecker

February 2, 2021

Gene A. Stienecker, 84, of Rockford, died Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in his home. Born February 8, 1936 in Thomasville, GA; son of Walter and Irna (Ackerman) Stienecker. Gene earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1959. Shortly after, he relocated to Rockford and worked for many years at Ingersoll...

Rev. Karl P. Ganss

Rev. Karl P. Ganss

February 2, 2021

The Chancery received word that Reverend Karl P. Ganss died on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at his home in Rockford. Father was born on April 19, 1942, in Philadelphia, PA, to Karl and Philomena Gekle Ganss. Father Ganss attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Geneva, IL (1960-1964). He then attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Shelby, OH (1964-1968) where he studied Philosophy and Theology....

Nyla Kay Free

Nyla Kay Free

February 1, 2021

Nyla Kay Free, 83, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021. Nyla was born on February 6, 1937, daughter of James E. and Margaret (White) Seddon. She grew up and went to school in Mystic, Iowa where she met, at a young age, the man she would marry in 1960, Jimmie E. Free. Nyla was active with her...

Barbara L. Dooley

Barbara L. Dooley

January 31, 2021

Barbara Lee Dooley, 91, died at 9:54 a.m. Sunday, January 31st, 2021 at Ascension Living St. Anne Place. Born February 9, 1929 in Rockford, daughter of Joseph L. and Viola H. Murphy. She had lived in Rockford all her life. She married Jack W. Dooley, August 14, 1948. Graduated from East High School in 1946. Treasurer/secretary for the Tullocks Woods...

Mavis L. Kerr

Mavis L. Kerr

January 30, 2021

Mavis L. Kerr (nee Riegert), 96, Rockford, died Saturday January 30, 2021 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center of COVID-19. She was born December 7, 1924 in Janesville, WI, daughter of Jacob and Annazetta Riegert. Mavis was married on March 25, 1944 to Carl Kerr and the couple celebrated 70 years together in 2014. She moved to Rockford after graduating high...

Catherine "Katie" Ann Sartino

Catherine "Katie" Ann Sartino

January 30, 2021

Catherine “Katie” Ann Sartino, 89, of Rockford, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Katie was born in Stoughton, WI on October 12, 1931, daughter of George and Marion (LaFleur) Wileman. She married Michael T. Sartino on August 5, 1950. He passed away December 8, 2019. Katie was employed with Amerock Corp. for over 25 years before retiring. She enjoyed...

Sharon L. Hendrickson

Sharon L. Hendrickson

January 30, 2021

Sharon L. (Alms) Hendrickson, 64, lifelong resident of Rockford, passed away suddenly on January 30, 2021. Sharon was welcomed by loving parents, Evelyn and Alvin Alms on November 22, 1956 in Rockford, Illinois and has joined them in Heaven. Sharon graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School in 1974 and attended Rock Valley College. She appreciated her employment at Gannett...

Virginia "Ginny" F. Smith

Virginia "Ginny" F. Smith

January 29, 2021

Virginia “Ginny” Smith, 99, died peacefully at Saint Anne Center on January 29, 2021. Virginia spent her entire life in Rockford, retiring from the Valspar Corporation, and spent her retirement in service to others. She considered it a privilege to assist the residents at St. Anne: transporting them to Mass, service as Eucharist Minister, delivering the mail and filling in...

Terrance "Terry" C. Bunge

Terrance "Terry" C. Bunge

January 29, 2021

Terrance “Terry” Carl Bunge, 90, passed away on January 29, 2021. Terry was born on October 4, 1930 in Prescott, AZ the son of Jules and Kathleen (Duffy) Bunge. He married Dolores A. Bortkewicz on May 1, 1954 in Joliet, IL. She passed away on December 22, 2003. Terry worked at Standard Oil Company for 20 years and then at...

Richard L. Krienke

Richard L. Krienke

January 29, 2021

Richard L. Krienke, 68, Machesney Park, died Friday January 29, 2021 at Javon Bea Hospital. He was born June 4, 1952 in Rockford, IL, son of Melvin and Francis (Johnson) Krienke. Richard was a 1970 graduate of Rockford Lutheran High School. He married Denise DalPra and together they had two boys. Richard was a member and banquet manager at the...

Antonina Domenica Costa

Antonina Domenica Costa

January 28, 2021

Antonina Domenica Costa, 89, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Antonina was born in Ucria, Sicily on December 29, 1931, daughter of Carmelo and Carmela (Anza) Barone. She married Vincenzo Costa on October 5, 1950. After moving to the United States, Antonina worked at Nelson Knitting for 27 years. She was devoted to her faith as...

Shirley A. France

Shirley A. France

January 28, 2021

Shirley A. France, 73, of Rockford, IL passed away January 28, 2021. She was born March 2, 1947 in Beloit, WI the daughter to Wilbur and Dorothea (Scott) Conrad. Shirley attended West High School, graduating in 1966. She married Lawrence France on March 25, 1967 and had two children. They later divorced on August 13, 1998, but remained close friends....

Frank W. Motisi

Frank W. Motisi

January 26, 2021

Frank William Motisi, 37, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at his home. He was born on July 25, 1983, in Maywood, IL the son of William and JoAnn (Menzenberger) Motisi. Frank graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 2002. Frank was a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor and worked as a Narcotics Investigator. Frank was a very caring and...

Julie Ann Mayer

Julie Ann Mayer

January 26, 2021

Julie Ann Mayer, 88, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Powell, TN, passed away January 26, 2021. She was born on August 6, 1932, in Milwaukee, WI, to Robert and Olga (Mihajlov) Brahm. Julie was a lifelong Catholic who enjoyed playing bridge, reading and golfing. She was a volunteer at the UT Medical Center Hospital helping with many of their fundraising...

Wallace "Wallie" E. Hall

Wallace "Wallie" E. Hall

January 25, 2021

Wallace “Wallie” E. Hall, 78, of Chicago, passed away January 25, 2021. He was born on September 23, 1942, in Chicago, IL to Wallace E. and Catherine (Wilson) Hall. Wallie was a 1960 graduate of St. Patrick High School in Chicago and attended Loyola University in Chicago. He served his country in the US Army as a Communications Specialist from...