Mar 24, 2017

Michelle “Mickey” L. Vrazsity, 49, of Rockford passed away Friday, March 24, 2017 at home surrounded by her family. Michelle was born on October 10, 1967 in Rockford. She was a graduate of Jefferson High School. Michelle married Mike Vrazsity on April 24, 1986 in Rockford. She worked as a manager at the Blackhawk Athletic Club for many years. Michelle...

Mar 24, 2017

Patience C. Schnepper, 73, of Belvidere, was called home to her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 24, 2017. She was born in Juneau, Alaska, on October 8, 1943, to Donald and Arlene (Anderson) Vertin. Patience married her loving husband, Richard Schnepper on June 7, 1963, at the Silver Hill Evangelical Church in Rockford. Patience worked for Awana Club International...

Mar 23, 2017

Leah Rae (Holm) Bliss, passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2017, in the arms of her loving daughters. She was born August 26, 1938 to Raymond and Nellie (St. John) Holm in Rockford, IL, graduated from East High School and attended Northern Illinois University. Leah’s marriage in 1959 to John J. Sharkey blessed her with three adoring daughters:...

Mar 22, 2017

Virginia “Ginny” A. Waldsmith, 86, of Rockford, passed away March 22, 2017 in her home. Born May 6, 1930, in Stoughton, WI, the daughter of Conrad & Ada M. (Johnson) Metzler. Graduated Stoughton High School, class of 1948. Moved to the Rockford area in 1957. She married Robert “Bob” A. Waldsmith, on May 19, 1951 in Rockford at Cathedral of...

Mar 21, 2017

Leonard Oscar Jarl, 91, of Rockford, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Leonard was born in Rockford on April 4, 1925, to Oscar Theodore Jarl and Agnes Pauline (nee Johnson) Jarl. A few years later Leonard and his parents returned to Smaland, Sweden to work the family farm, and eventually returned to Rockford at the age of 7. During his...

Mar 20, 2017

Ronald L. Gordon Sr., 75, of Cherry Valley passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, March 20, 2017 in his home. He was born on March 10, 1942 in Rockford, the son of Richard and Pearle (Collins) Gordon. He graduated from Belvidere High School. He met the love of his life, Sherry Robbins, and the two married on October...

Mar 19, 2017

Patricia M. (Lynde) Tietz, 90, of Rockford died Sunday, March 19, 2017 in her home. She was born October 5, 1926 in Hazel Green, WI the daughter of Joseph and Gladys (Schnorenberg) Lynde. She married the love of her life and best friend, Harold C. Tietz at St. James Catholic Church on May 3, 1945. She and Harold were partners...

Mar 18, 2017

Susan Michele Fairgrieve, 62 Rockford—Susan Michele Fairgrieve, 62 of Rockford died suddenly Saturday at Mercy Hospital. Born May 6, 1954 in Rockford to Merle and Mary (Schmidt) Walton. Graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1972, Illinois State University in 1976 with a Bachelors in Special Education and went on to St. Xavier University to receive her Masters in 1996....

Mar 17, 2017

Betty Beishir (Beruta Staponavich) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2017. She is now reunited with Don, the love of her life, who passed away January 5, 2017. Betty was born August 27, 1923 in South Rockford, Illinois. She was named after Queen Birute of Lithuania, and was very proud of her...

Mar 17, 2017

Rockford- Rudolph K. Wessels, 90, passed away in his home. Born March 1, 1927 in Ridott, IL, the son of George & Marie Arvilla (Sluiter) Wessels. After attending Rockford schools, Rudy served in the Navy (the Seabees) from 1945 to 1946. Upon leaving the service, Rudy started his own building and contracting firm, building many homes in the Rockford area....

Mar 16, 2017

James (Jim) Douglas Baker, 66, of Rockford, Illinois, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 16, 2017, surrounded by his family. Jim was born on July 17, 1950 in Goshen, Indiana where he grew up and graduated from Goshen High School in 1968. He earned his Bachelor’s degree, in 1975, from Purdue University. In 1972, he completed pilot...

Mar 15, 2017

Renée A. Griffith, 80, of Rockford IL passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital, with her family by her side. She was born on December 1, 1936 in Adel, IA, the daughter of Dwaine and Pearl (Glidden) Spillers. Renée met David D. Griffith Sr. in Des Moines, and the two married on August 10,...

Mar 14, 2017

Mar 13, 2017

Sydney Ann (Bursell) Fosse, 74, of Cherry Valley, died Monday March 13, 2017 surrounded by her family after a long, determined fight against multiple health issues. Daughter of Gustav Robert and Grace Evelyn Bursell, Sydney was born April 7, 1942 in Rockford, IL. She grew up with 5 siblings, Anita, Loretta, Bob, Berta, and Brian. In her younger years, she...

Mar 13, 2017

Robert Patrick Brannigan, age 82, died peacefully in his sleep, with his family around him, on Monday, March 13, 2017. Bob was born in Fairfield, Connecticut and graduated from Fordham University. After graduation, he became a naval officer and notably, served as a Russian interpreter during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was honorably discharged after six years of service. On...

Mar 11, 2017

Richard “Dick” E. Petersen, 71, of Rockford passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 2, 1946 in Clinton, IA, the son of Edwin and Lucille (Finn) Petersen. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, IA, and graduated from Rock Valley College. Dick proudly served in the United States...

Mar 9, 2017

James “Jim” Latino, 77, of Rockford, passed away on March 9, 2017. Jim was born September 10, 1939 to James and Jeanette Latino. He graduated from St. Thomas High School, Class of 1958. He married Virginia Rotello on December 17, 1966. Jim spent over 30 years in the wholesale fuel and lubricant industry, starting with Smith/Shafer Oil Company and later...

Mar 9, 2017

Richard S. Paris, 86, of Rockford passed away March 9, 2017 at Presence St Ann Center. Born November 29, 1930, in Rockford, the son of Sam and Mary (Sartino) Paris. Richard attended Marquette University and later Rockford University. Married his junior high school sweetheart, Sally J. Corey in Rockford on November 24, 1951 at Saint Anthony's Church. Richard served in...

Mar 7, 2017

Rockford - Harold O. Durham, 89, passed away March 7, 2017 at Mercy Health Systems. Born January 29, 1928, in Rockford Illinois, the son of Walter & Katie (Lee) Durham. He was employed at Mott Bros. Co. for 46 years retiring in 1996. He served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948. He married Lenice Hoffman on October...

Mar 6, 2017

Dr. George Douglas Aschenbrenner, 85, passed away on March 6, 2017, in Rockford. Born January 24, 1932 in Dixon, Ill., he was the son of George W. and Mary Anne (Curran) Aschenbrenner. A graduate of Dixon High School, George went on to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was a member of...