Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Joyce V. Gilbertson

Joyce V. Gilbertson

Apr 3, 2024

Joyce Verna Gilbertson, 93, Rockford, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Generations at Neighbors, Byron.  Born June 3, 1930 in Clam Falls, WI, daughter of Edward and Irene (Gourlie) VerHagen.  Her dad owned a farm and cheese factory where Joyce milked cows by hand every morning at 5:00 a.m. and then went on a milk route for the cheese...

Susan K. Spink

Susan K. Spink

Apr 2, 2024

Susan K. (Cole) Spink, 67, of Pecatonica, IL, peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home on April 2, 2024, in Pecatonica. Susan was born on November 26, 1956, to Norman and Shirley (Sansom) Cole. She was a proud graduate of East High School in 1974. Susan married her best friend, Charles Spink on April 16,1987 and settled into...

Karen S. Hatter

Karen S. Hatter

Apr 2, 2024

Karen S. Hatter, 67, of Rockford, IL passed away on April 2, 2024, of natural causes after living a full life. She was born in Syracuse, NY, daughter to Raymond and Mary (Axtmann) Hatter. She was raised in Liverpool, NY and graduated from the Liverpool High School class of 1974. After living in beautiful upstate New York for many years...

Serafina Cicero

Serafina Cicero

Mar 31, 2024

Serafina “Sally” Cicero, 86, passed away peacefully on Easter morning, March 31, 2024, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a brief illness. 



She was born August 9, 1937, in Rockford, to Anthony and Josephine LaMendola.  After high school, she attended nursing school in Chicago, and married Salvatore “Sam” Cicero on October 4, 1958. Sally went on to have a long...

Geraldine Elswick

Geraldine Elswick

Mar 30, 2024

Geraldine (Gerri) M. Elswick, Age 97Loving Wife, Mother and GrandmaGeraldine Elswick passed away on March 30, 2024, in Rockford, Ill. She was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Cedar County, Neb., to Paul Edwin and Alma (Carlson) Paulson. She married Richard B. Elswick at Pella Lutheran Church in Omaha, Neb., on Dec. 31, 1961. Prior to her marriage she was employed by...

Christopher Shane Muse

Christopher Shane Muse

Mar 29, 2024

Christopher “Shane” Muse, 41, died March 29, 2024. A devoted combat veteran who served with the 18th Airborne Corps 3rd Battalion, 321 Field Artillery Regiment who served two tours, Afghanistan and Iraq. Tragically, he succumbed to the invisible wounds of war, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice. His courage and love endure in the hearts of those he...

Linda J. Sherwood

Linda J. Sherwood

Mar 29, 2024

Linda J. Sherwood died on March 29, 2024, after a long illness. Linda was born on November 27, 1948, in Belvidere, Illinois to parents Edward and Isabel Myers. She was the youngest of three children. Linda grew up in Cherry Valley, Illinois and attended Guilford High School. She went on to work for Singer Mental Health Center in Rockford for...

Marilyn R. Dean

Marilyn R. Dean

Mar 28, 2024

Marilyn R. Dean, 95, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2024. She was born on June 20, 1928, to Frank and Gladys Ozier. Marilyn was known for her loving nature, generosity, and passion for helping others. She enjoyed traveling, singing in choirs, and volunteering at church and in the community. Marilyn was a devoted grandmother who loved creating...

Edwin "Ed" W. Matus

Edwin "Ed" W. Matus

Mar 28, 2024

Edwin “Ed” W. Matus, 94, of Rockford, passed away on March 28, 2024, in Cape Coral, Florida. He was born on March 11, 1930, in Rockford, the son of William and Marcella (Janovic) Matus. He graduated from West High School, class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves from 1949-1951. He married Ida Dallosto on December...

Jay P. Larson

Jay P. Larson

Mar 27, 2024

Jay Peter Larson, age 49, of Rockford, IL, was called to heaven by our Lord on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. 



He was born in Rockford, IL on December 18, 1974, a gift from God to loving parents, Peter and Marianne (Poli) Larson. He graduated from Boylan Catholic High School and went on to complete his Undergraduate Degree from Benedictine University. 

A homegrown Rockfordian through and through, he found his calling...

Vonnie L. Scarpetta

Vonnie L. Scarpetta

Mar 27, 2024

Vonnie L. Scarpetta, 88, of Rockford, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to many, passed away on March 27, 2024, at OSF Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. Vonnie was born on December 29, 1935, in Phil Campbell, Alabama. The daughter of Harley and Lillie (Graves) McMurry. She married Angelo Scarpetta in 1960. They shared 49 years of marriage before...

Ronald A. Oldejans

Ronald A. Oldejans

Mar 27, 2024

Ron Oldejans passed away on March 27. He was born in Belvidere to Roelof and Ruby Oldejans on August 25, 1942. Ron attended Logan Elementary School, Belvidere High School, and graduated with an Associate Degree from Rockford Business School. He served in the National Guard Army for six years. He was married to Eileen Castronovo for fifty-seven years. They had...

Benjamin "Ben" A. Pflederer

Benjamin "Ben" A. Pflederer

Mar 25, 2024

Benjamin “Ben” A. Pflederer, 79, of Rockford, Illinois passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024. Born on March 5th of 1945 to parents Aquilla and Helen (Schmid) Pflederer in the small town of Tremont, Illinois. 

Ben was a member of Church of the Nazarene in Rockford, IL. He worked most of his life as an electrical engineer with many companies, most...

Jessica L. Bennett

Jessica L. Bennett

Mar 24, 2024

A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road Rockford, Illinois 61108. A visitation will be prior to the service starting at 10:30 a.m. 

Dianne Lynette Hertzner

Dianne Lynette Hertzner

Mar 23, 2024

Dianne Lynnette Hertzner was born June 23, 1971 and fell asleep in death surrounded by family on March 23, 2024 after a long brave battle with a chronic kidney disease.Dianne was adopted as an infant and was immediately blessed with loving parents, Francy and Bob Johnston, later connecting with her biological parents, Cecilia and Bob Mchoes. Through her childhood this...

Vincent V. Verace

Vincent V. Verace

Mar 23, 2024

Vincent V. Verace, 92, Rockford, passed away on March 23, 2024, in Belvidere. He was born on February 22, 1932, in Rockford, the son of Vincenzo and Josephine (Gulotta) Verace. Vince graduated from West High School in 1950 where he was captain of the swim team and made many lifelong friends. 

He met his wife Gloria M. Ruefer, 1951 Muldoon graduate,...

Christine D. Moorman

Christine D. Moorman

Mar 22, 2024

Christine Diane Moorman, 75, of Rockford, passed away surrounded by her family on March 22, 2024, at Swedish American Hospital. She was born on September 20, 1948, in Sycamore, Illinois, the daughter of Roy and Wauneta (Littlejohn) Schwebke. She obtained her associates in social services and worked as a cashier at Schnucks Grocery Store. Chris enjoyed her time spent at...

Tatiana Valeryevna Dmitrieva

Tatiana Valeryevna Dmitrieva

Mar 21, 2024

Tatiana Valeryevna Dmitrieva, a caring mother, faithful wife, wise sister, considerate daughter, kind friend, and steadfast woman of God. In Cheboksary, Russia, Tatiana entered the world as the cherished daughter of Valeri and Irina. She embarked on a remarkable academic journey, earning her Master of Science in Statistics from Moscow State University before achieving her PhD in Statistics from Northern Illinois...

Lorraine Maffei

Lorraine Maffei

Mar 19, 2024

Lorraine (Curia) Maffei, 94, of Rockford, died at 2:10 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at her home and in the presence of family.  Lorraine was born to Nicolas and Helene Curia on January 22, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, older sister to Claire and Helene. As a teenager, she started working in the department store on 5th Avenue in Manhatten, where she was...

Rev. Donald V. Long

Rev. Donald V. Long

Mar 19, 2024

Reverend Donald Vaughn Long, 86, of Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born on September 7, 1937, in Denver, CO, the son of Vaughn and Frances (Cochran) Long. He married his devoted wife, Janis (Jones) Long on June 11, 1960, in Caryville, TN.Don was a United Methodist minister who dedicated...

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