Jul 14, 2019

Dr. Merlin “Mert” John Manley, 84, Rockford, died July 14, 2019, at Presence St. Anne’s Center after a courageous battle against cancer. Mert was born October 17, 1934, in Hazel Green, WI, the son of John and Bernice (Wubben) Manley. He was an Army veteran serving in Germany. Mert attended Loras College and Northern Illinois University where he received his...

Jul 13, 2019

Patricia A. Leek, 71, of Rockford, passed away on July 13, 2019 with her children by her side. Born August 19, 1947, the daughter of Ivan and Nellie Gray. Patricia was married to Ronald Leek in August, 1979. She worked for many years with her husband at R. L. Leek Industries, Inc. and Byron Dragway. She was later employed as...

Jul 13, 2019

Mary Jane Messersmith, 97, of Rockford, passed away peacefully July 13, 2019 in her home. Born March 27, 1922 in Highland, WI, she was the daughter of Charles and Frances (Wagner) Imhoff. She married Charles Messersmith on June 2, 1942 in Rockford and they were married for 66 years before he passed away in 2008. A graduate of Highland High...

Jul 11, 2019

Craig “Gomer” Mathews, 60, of Rockford, Illinois passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019. He was born May 13, 1959 in Dixon, IL the son of Richard and Geraldine (Donaldson) Mathews. Craig grew up in Chana, IL. He was a faithful and dedicated employee who loved working at Rogers Ready-Mix. Craig was an easy going, sincere and generous man. He enjoyed...

Jul 11, 2019

Tammy L. Shaw, 44, of Rockford, passed away July 11, 2019. Born April 14, 1975 the daughter of Cheryl Pickett. She graduated from Rockford East High School, class of 1993. She worked as an administrative assistant in the medical field. She enjoyed riding motorcycles, dancing, her dog, but most of all she loved her family. Those who knew her would...

Jul 11, 2019

Mary Weber Simpson, 88, also known as Mary W. Simpson and Mary L. Simpson, died Thursday, July 11, 2019, in Alpine Fireside Health Center, Rockford, where she had been well cared for. Mary Louise Weber, daughter of John Christian Louis Weber and Frances Elvira (Berg) Weber, was born June 6, 1931, in Rockford. She was educated at Rockford East High...

Jul 10, 2019

Svea F. Forsberg, 97, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019, in her home. She was born in Sweden on April 16, 1922. She married Birger Forsberg on September 15, 1945, and he passed away in January of 2004. She and her husband owned and operated the Forsberg Bakery on Broadway for many years. She is survived by her daughter,...

Jul 10, 2019

Our adored Constance “Connie” Lenell Rounds, 78, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 after a long illness. Connie was born August 29, 1940 in Rockford to Hazel and Murray Rounds. Rockford was called home for most of her life, but she was blessed with much adventure and travel around the world, especially Italy. Together with her beloved Jan Malmberg,...

Jul 10, 2019

Shirley E. Sherman, 89, of Rockford, Illinois passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019. She was born September 29, 1929 in Adeline, Illinois, the daughter to Elmer and Viola (Hubble) Peterson. Shirley married the love of her life, Irving Sherman, on April 8, 1950. She was a military spouse and spent her younger years in various locations throughout the United States....

Jul 10, 2019

Jason Lee Corbin, 43, Rockford, formerly of Byron, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. He was born February 24, 1976, in Rockford. Jason worked for many years in several his family’s businesses. He was always conscientious and hardworking whether he was working on or repairing equipment or attending to customers, who loved his quick wit and sense of...

Jul 10, 2019

Ronald Leek, 80, of Rockford, passed away July 10, 2019. He was born February 5, 1939 in Aurora Illinois. Ron was best known as the longtime owner and announcer at Byron Dragway. Ron’s contribution to motorsports transcend the race track he called home for over 50 years. As a steward of the sport, Ron held positions at numerous racetracks throughout...

Jul 9, 2019

Reverend Arnold E. Lack of Rockford, IL, passed away on July 9th at the age of 88. He was born at home on January 28, 1931 in New Era, IA to the Reverend Ernest and Lenora Lack. Arnold graduated from East High School in Des Moines, IA and received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. He...

Jul 9, 2019

Lori J. Rittenhouse, 53, of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2019 in her home, after a long battle with cancer. Lori was born August 26, 1965 in Rockford IL, daughter of David and June (Mennenga) Rittenhouse. She was employed with USF Holland Trucking Co. as a billing clerk for 25 years. Throughout life, Lori enjoyed bowling, going to comedy...

Jul 8, 2019

Beverly Joan Thomas, 79, of Byron, IL, passed away Monday, July 8, 2019. Joan was born in Byron, IL on August 15, 1939, daughter of Milo Garman and Iva Barnhart. She married William Thomas on February 2, 1960 in Byron, IL. He passed away November 2, 2015. Joan enjoyed watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs, cooking,...

Jul 5, 2019

Georgia F. Sarchet, 86, Rockford, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019, in SwedishAmerican Hospital. She was born March 31, 1933, in South Whitley, Indiana, the daughter Herman and Pauline (Oberhoulster) Able. Georgia was employed at Brookside Medical Clinic as a secretary. Survived by her daughter, Cynthia “Cindy” (Dr. Forrest) Riordan, her sons, Bradley (Maria) Penn of Riverview, FL and Douglas...

Jul 4, 2019

John (Jack) Tillis, 88, died peacefully surrounded by members of his family in his home on July 4, 2019. He was born to Kenneth and Kathryn (Hiller) Tillis on July 31, 1930 in Ottumwa, Iowa. His early years were spent in Salinas, Kansas, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Minneapolis, Minnesota before settling in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended various high schools including...

Jul 3, 2019

Robert J. Barabasz, 82, of Belvidere, died Wednesday, July 3, 2019 in his home. Born September 24, 1936 in Chicago; son of Bruno and Eleanor (Trznadel) Barabasz. Married his loving wife, Genevieve L. Gillis on May 4, 1957 at St. Boniface in Chicago. Robert worked for the Chicago Police Department until his retirement in 1994. Member of St. James Catholic...

Jul 3, 2019

Rulen D. Wigtion, 55, of Rockford, passed away July 3rd, 2019 doing something he loved. Born June 6, 1964 in Rockford, the son of Rulen and Marie (Davison) Wigtion. On August 3rd of 2018 he married Mary Ann Sparks Brown in Rockford. A 1982 graduate of Jefferson High school, Rulen was employed at NFI Industries as a spotter for many...

Jul 3, 2019

Manuel "Moe" M. Chapa, 64, of Rockford, passed away surrounded by his loving family, on July 3, 2019 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Born November 12, 1954 in Castroville, TX, the son of Omero & Manuela (Gamboa) Chapa. Graduated Auburn High School, class of 1973. He married Sheri Borgen on July 7, 1984 in Rockford. He was a...

Jul 2, 2019