Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Melba "Mafi" J. Perez

Melba "Mafi" J. Perez

Jan 30, 2024

Melba “Mafi” Jewell Perez, 73, of Rockford, passed away on January 30, 2024. She was born on January 2, 1951, in Rockford, the daughter of Jewel and Euthel (Ratliff) Dixon. She married Raul Perez on. Mafi was extremely proud of earning her high school diploma from Rock Valley College at the age of 62.

Mafi enjoyed bingo and trips to the...

Cynthia M. Johnson

Cynthia M. Johnson

Jan 29, 2024

Cynthia Mae Johnson, 63, Rockford, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024. She was born on December 2, 1960, in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Robert L. Dorothy I. (Martin) Latham. Cynthia married her husband, Tim Johnson, in July of 2004 in Rockford. She worked at Little Cesars for a few years and later owned Grabania’s Pizza, where she ran...

Salvatore "Sal" M. Laloggia

Salvatore "Sal" M. Laloggia

Jan 29, 2024

Salvatore “Sal” M. LaLoggia, 91, Rockford, passed away Monday, January 29, 2024. He was born October 26, 1932 in Calumet City, IL to parents Michele and Vincenza (Scuirba) LaLoggia. Sal attended St. James Catholic School, graduating high school and college from Sacred Heart Seminary in Geneva, IL where he became fluent in the Latin language. Sal was a veteran, serving in...

Norma Jean Thomas

Norma Jean Thomas

Jan 29, 2024

Norma Jean Thomas, 91, of Rockford IL. Went to her eternal home 11:30 p.m. on Monday January, 29th 2024 surrounded by her family. Born on June 20, 1932 to Orval Daugherty and Floy White Daugherty, Hopedale, IL.

Graduated high school from Hopedale High. Then went on to attain her nursing degree from Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington, IL. Married Clifford Ivan Thomas...

Betty L. Nielsen

Betty L. Nielsen

Jan 28, 2024

Betty Nielsen, age 92, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday the morning of, January 28, 2024, after bravely facing a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by the love of her family and the memories of a life well-lived.

Betty was born on August 6, 1931, in Rockford, IL, to the late Agnes (Notari) and Amedeo Riganti. She was a...

Cheryl A. McVeigh

Cheryl A. McVeigh

Jan 27, 2024

Cheryl Ann McVeigh, 65, passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2024. She was born on February 7, 1958, in Rockford, the daughter of Arthur W. Knutson and Ilene M. Selgestad. She married Bradley “Brad” McVeigh on December 9, 1988, in Las Vegas, NV.

Cheryl loved weekend trips to the casino with Bradley, and playing bingo with friends where she was always...

William "Bill" R. Forsen

William "Bill" R. Forsen

Jan 26, 2024

Bill Forsen, 86, of Rockford, IL, was promoted to glory on Friday, January 26, 2024. He graduated from West High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963. Bill married his loving wife, Kay (Kjell) Forsen on April 26, 1975. Bill worked for ComEd for thirty years and retired in January 1994. Bill was a...

R. Casey  Brauns

R. Casey Brauns

Jan 26, 2024

We did not know our father was a super hero at first. To us, Molly and Ryan his children, he was simply Dad— a father that did not yell nor swear, was a gentleman who shined his shoes, wore a tie every day, never missed a practice or rehearsal, coached basketball, and loved to laugh with his family.

What we grew...

Lacy A. Sciame

Lacy A. Sciame

Jan 25, 2024

Lacy A. Sciame was born on July 31, 1926, and passed away at home January 25, 2024. He didn’t know it then, but he would change the world.

A World War II veteran, a letter carrier, a previous officer of the Rockford Postal Credit Union, a Union representative, a Cubs fan, a bowler, a pool player, a retired YMCA Men’s Club...

Charles 'Chuck' Gustafson

Charles 'Chuck' Gustafson

Jan 25, 2024

Charles 'Chuck' Gustafson passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 25, 2024 in Rockford, Illinois.

To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

Jorge Sarmiento

Jorge Sarmiento

Jan 25, 2024

Jorge Enrique Sarmiento Pineda, age 93, passed away at home on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Born February 28, 1930, in Bogota, Colombia, South America, the son of Ernesto Sarmiento La Barrera and Elvira Pineda Cardenas. Jorge played professional soccer for Nacional in Bogota, Colombia. He married the love of his life, Lucy Marina Mogollon on December 31, 1955, at Lady of...

Marlow "Andy" Anderson

Marlow "Andy" Anderson

Jan 25, 2024

Marlow “Andy” J Anderson, age 87, passed away at home on Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Marlow was born in East Chain, MN, on June 26, 1936, the son of Otis and Alice (Nyquist) Anderson. In 1955 he graduated from Austin High in Minnesota. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Agriculture from the University of Nebraska in 1960....

James "Jim" F. Palmer

James "Jim" F. Palmer

Jan 25, 2024

James "Jim" F. Palmer, 91, passed away after a short illness on January 25, 2024. He married Irene Pauletto on November 15, 1952, in Rockford. Jim served as a Corporal and Paratrooper in the U.S. Army. Following his service, he worked as a sales engineer at Ingersoll Milling for 50 years. 

Jim is survived by his wife of 71 years,...

Dr. Joseph A. Zammuto

Dr. Joseph A. Zammuto

Jan 24, 2024

Dr. Joseph A. Zammuto, of Rockford, IL, devoted husband, father and grandfather, was born to eternal life surrounded by family on January 24, 2024, at the age of 90.

Joseph was born on June 2, 1933 in Rockford, IL, the second son of Angelo and Rose (Rizzo) Zammuto. He graduated from Rockford West High School and attended Washington University where he...

Daniel "Dan" Charles Nihan

Daniel "Dan" Charles Nihan

Jan 23, 2024

Daniel “Dan” Charles Nihan, 78, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was born on March 6, 1945, in Belvidere, IL, the son of Charles and Sophronia (Cashmore) Nihan. He graduated from Belvidere High School, class of 1963 and was a veteran, having served in the Army. Dan really enjoyed the sport of golfing. He loved to spend...

Saeng Sayavong

Saeng Sayavong

Jan 23, 2024

Saeng Sayavong, 89, of Rockford, passed away on January 23, 2024. She was born on October 10, 1934, in Laos, the daughter of Mai and Pouth Aphivong. 

Traditional Laos Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road Rockford, IL 61108. 

David E. Nelson

David E. Nelson

Jan 23, 2024

After a lifetime of commitment to his family and faith, David Nelson peacefully transitioned from his earthly bonds and failing health to his heavenly reward on January 23, 2024.

David was born on December 24, 1936 and spent his early years dairy farming with his father, grandfather and extended family at the landmark “Round Barn” that once stood along River Road,...

Carter Harms Mcgowan

Carter Harms Mcgowan

Jan 22, 2024

Carter Harms McGowan

June 15, 2001 – January 22, 2024

Carter Harms McGowan, 22, died January 22, 2024, in his lifelong hometown of Rockford. He was born June 15, 2001, to parents, Mark and Christy (Harms) McGowan.

He was a 2019 graduate of Rockford East High School and earned his Associate in Science degree from Rock Valley College in 2022.

A quiet, gentle, caring,...

Barbara Marie Pelan

Barbara Marie Pelan

Jan 22, 2024

Barbara Marie Pelan, 86, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024.

She was born on August 9, 1937, in Springfield, IL, to the late John and Elizabeth “Elsie” Stankitis.

Barb graduated from Ursaline Academy. She earned her associate’s degree from Springfield Junior College and her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Barb was employed by...

Daniel W. Metzler

Daniel W. Metzler

Jan 22, 2024

Daniel Wade Metzler, age 61, passed away at home on Monday, January 22, 2024, after a long illness.

Dan was born in Palatine, IL, on June 13, 1962, the son of David Metzler and Susan Sigwart. After graduating, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in wildlife game bird management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Dan worked in the receiving...

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