Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Donald "Don" Buss

Donald "Don" Buss

Jan 19, 2018

Donald “Don” Buss, 81, Belvidere, passed away and returned home to his Heavenly Father on Friday, January 19, 2018, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Don was a firm believer in the grace of God and accepted Jesus Christ as his one and only Savior. He was born on March 24, 1936, in Chicago to Robert and Dorothy Boecker. Don...

Arlene P. Harms

Arlene P. Harms

Jan 19, 2018

Arlene P. Harms, 97, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2018 at Alpine Fireside. Born August 5, 1920, in Esmond, Illinois, the daughter of Harry and Sadie (Carson) Gustafson. Arlene graduated from Fairdale High School and moved to Rockford to attend beauty school. She was a hairdresser in her home for many years. Later in life, she...

Dr. Virgil R. Grunkemeyer

Dr. Virgil R. Grunkemeyer

Jan 19, 2018

Dr. Virgil R. Grunkemeyer, 86, of Rockford, IL passed Friday, January 19, 2018. Born December 25, 1931 in Brookville, IN son of Frank and Rose (Gallagher) Grunkemeyer. He attended 2yrs of H.S. at St. Meinrad Seminary, then entered the military and achieved a rank of Master Sargent E-7. Virgil attained a dual degree in Business Management and Business Education from...

Jazman Marie Armstrong

Jazman Marie Armstrong

Jan 17, 2018

Jazman Marie Armstrong, 35, of Rockton passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in Madison, WI. Born, April 17, 1982, in Rockford, to Gerard and Lisa (Kingcade) Smith. Jazman graduated from Winnebago High School class of 2000. She married the love of her life, Jamie Armstrong, on June 5, 2017. Jazman worked for Landstar Inway for 17 years. She loved...

Marilyn O'Keefe

Marilyn O'Keefe

Jan 17, 2018

Marilyn O’Keefe, 84, of Rockford passed Wednesday, January 17, 2018 in Rockford. Born September 11, 1933, in Rockford, daughter of Frank and Myrtle O’Keefe. She graduated from Muldoon High School. She was employed by National Lock and retired from Greenlee after many years. She was an avid bowler and was in many leagues at Fairview Lanes & Park Lanes as...

Ernest Welbeck

Ernest Welbeck

Jan 16, 2018

Ernest Welbeck, 66, of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2018. He was born March 5, 1951, in Accra, Ghana, West Africa, the son of Isaac and Helen (Ashie) Welbeck. Ernest married the love of his life, Evelyn and have been together 34 years. Ernest came to America in 1976 and started his career at Glidden Paints. He then went...

Dmitriy Baryshnikov

Dmitriy Baryshnikov

Jan 14, 2018

On Sunday, January 14, 2018, Dmitriy Baryshnikov passed away unexpectedly in Swedish American Hospital at the age of 54. Dmitriy was born on May 11, 1963 in Nizhny Tagil, Russia, to parents Vladimir Baryshnikov and Lidiya Baryshnikova. Dmitriy moved to Moscow, Russia, to study at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, where he met his wife Natalya Olifirova Baryshnikova, and they...

Peter "Pete" Babcock

Peter "Pete" Babcock

Jan 13, 2018

Peter Babcock, 62, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018. He was born October 26, 1955 in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Robert Babcock and Lois (Weber) Babcock. Peter married Janelle (Forsyth) Babcock on August 25, 1990. Peter worked many years in sales. He was an avid outdoors man, enjoying deer hunting and fishing. He gained great joy volunteering...

Darlene A.  Fry

Darlene A. Fry

Jan 13, 2018

Darlene A. Fry, 83, Rockton, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018, in Rockford Memorial Hospital. She was born May 13, 1934, in Lake City, MN, the daughter of George and Alice (Dunbar) Jones. She married Lester Fry, Jr. on June 20, 1959, in Rockford. Darlene worked as a stenographer for Greenlee Co. and later as a bookkeeper for B &...

Virginia L. Higgins

Virginia L. Higgins

Jan 13, 2018

Virginia L. Higgins, 84, of Rockford passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Swedish American Hospital. Born May 26, 1933, in O’Neill, Nebraska, the daughter of Willard and Imogene (Jensen) Arnold. Virginia married Alan C. Higgins in 1954. She was a Kindergarten teacher at P.R. Walker Elementary for 23 years, retiring in 1989. She was extremely good with children, influencing...

Charles "Charlie" J. Rayman

Charles "Charlie" J. Rayman

Jan 13, 2018

Charles “Charlie” J. Rayman, 84, of Rockford passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Presence St. Anne Center. Born April 16, 1933, in Dundalk, Maryland, the son of Jesse and Geraldine (Rytina) Rayman. Charlie attended the University of Maryland, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He was a sports reporter, starting his career for the Baltimore Sun and...

Arthur  W. Swanson

Arthur W. Swanson

Jan 12, 2018

Arthur Wendell Swanson, 94, of Rockford, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Friday, January 12, 2018. Born, November 27, 1923 in Alta, IA, he was the proud son of August and Signe (Staderska) Swanson. Arthur attended high school through the tenth grade until he went to work to help his family after his father fell ill and was...

Bobby W. Rouse

Bobby W. Rouse

Jan 12, 2018

Bobby W. Rouse, 65, of Rockford, passed away, January 12, 2018 at Alden Park Strathmoor. Born August 25, 1952 in Rockford, the son of June “Clarence” & Etta (Barnhart) Rouse. Served in the US Marines Corps. Married Donna Carlson in Rockford at Zion Lutheran Church, on February 15, 1991. He worked in the manufacturing for years. Survivors include wife, Donna;...

James E. "Jim" Thompson

James E. "Jim" Thompson

Jan 11, 2018

James Edward “Jim” Thompson, 80, of Rockford went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 11, 2018. Born March 8, 1937, in Rockford, son of Paul and Dorothy (Youngberg) Thompson. Graduated from West High School in 1955. Served in the U.S. Army Reserve, Co. C, Engineers. Worked as a tool and die specialist at J.L. Clark for 44...

Nancy Evelyn Woodford

Nancy Evelyn Woodford

Jan 11, 2018

Nancy Evelyn Woodford, 96, of Rockford passed away Thursday, January 11, 2018. Nancy was born November 12, 1921 to Mary Lafferty Miner and Arthur Miner in Oakland, Iowa. Nancy worked for many years at Woodward Governor Company making many lifelong friends. Nancy enjoyed traveling, reading, solving picture puzzles and dancing. Nancy was a member of Riverside Community Church. Nancy is...

Sharon L. (Luhrs) Bliss

Sharon L. (Luhrs) Bliss

Jan 11, 2018

Sharon L (Luhrs) Bliss, 76, of Rockford, passed away January 11, 2018 at Anam Glen. Born April 17, 1941, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Lloyd & Rose (Beitzel) Herman. Graduated from Nursing School in 1962. She work at Swedish America Hospital, Rockford Clinic, and University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford Campus, retiring in 2007. Married Curtis Bliss on...

Bradley D. Elmer

Bradley D. Elmer

Jan 10, 2018

Bradley D. Elmer, 53, of Rockford, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018. He was born January 1, 1965, in Beloit Wisconsin, the son of Robert and Diane (Kolstad) Elmer. Brad married the love of his life, Vickie (Sharp) Elmer on October 26, 1985. He worked as the operations manager for Harder Corporation for over 30 years. Brad was a selfless...

George Joseph Frisella Sr.

George Joseph Frisella Sr.

Jan 9, 2018

Heaven gained a feisty angel today. George Joseph Frisella Sr., 95, Rockford, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at SwedishAmerican Hospital. George was born March 15, 1922, in Chicago, the son of Benny and Margaret Frisella. He was a veteran of the Army obtaining the rank of E8 Tech Sergeant. He trained platoons in all of the tanks used in...

Grace H. Chowanski

Grace H. Chowanski

Jan 9, 2018

Grace H. Chowanski, 98, of Rockford, passed away January 9, 2018 at Alpine Fireside Nursing Center. Born September 14, 1919, in Norwich England, the daughter of Alfred E. & Gertrude H. (Gallant) Burrage. Married Frank Chowanski in 1945. Grace enjoyed cooking, baking, music and going to garage sales, but most of all spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include son,...

Ronald E. Locarno

Ronald E. Locarno

Jan 8, 2018

Ronald E. Locarno, 74, of Rockford passed away peacefully in his home, on Monday, January 8, 2018, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was lovingly surrounded by his family. Born January 25, 1943, in Rockford, the son of Mario and Sarah (Fabiano) Locarno. He married Vita Gianquinto on April 15, 1972. Ron was in the United States Army from...

Share by: