Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Mary Ann Schneeberger

Mary Ann Schneeberger

February 11, 2023

Mary Ann (FitzGerald) Schneeberger, 91, of Rockford, passed away on February 11, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born on December 2, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of John Watson and Mary Catherine (McMahon) FitzGerald. Mary Ann graduated from Holy Angels Academy in 1949. She married Leonard J. Schneeberger Jr. on January 13, 1951. She worked...

John "Jack" Axford

John "Jack" Axford

February 11, 2023

John (Jack) H. Axford, 94 of Rockford, Illinois, formerly of East Dundee, Illinois, passed away on February 11, 2023 at Wesley Willows in Rockford, Illinois. He was born in Elgin, Illinois on June 16, 1928 to John E. Axford and Margaret Zimmerli Axford. He married Joyce C. Harms on May 24, 1952 in Elgin, Illinois. After the passing of Joyce,...

Judith G. Winder

Judith G. Winder

February 11, 2023

Judith G. Winder, 83, passed away on February 11, 2023, in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Dr. James "Pete" and Wilma Barker. Judy and her parents returned to Illinois where she attended elementary and high school in Eldorado. She graduated with the class of 1958. She then went to S.I.U. – Carbondale to pursue a bachelor’s degree...

Jennifer Ackerman

Jennifer Ackerman

February 9, 2023

Jennifer Ackerman, 48, died Thursday Feb 9, 2023 following a 20 year battle with cancer. She was born in Vung-Tau Vietnam on Nov 21, 1974, and came to the USA in April 1975 as part of Operation Babylift. She is the daughter of Marsha and Larry Ackerman.

Jennie loved to cook and showed her love for her family through her cooking....

Carole J. Moore

Carole J. Moore

February 9, 2023

Carole “Lou” J. Moore, 89, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Wesley Willows in Rockford, IL. Carole was born in Rockford, IL to Clarence and Myrtle (Peterson) Flood on May 10, 1933. She is predeceased in death by her mother and sisters, Jaroldean Stanfa and Marilyn Stump. Carole was a proud graduate of East High School, class of...

Marsha Kyle Wurtlin

Marsha Kyle Wurtlin

February 9, 2023

Marsha Kyle Wurtlin passed away on February 9, 2023 at her home surrounded by family. She was born on October 21, 1947, daughter of Eugene (Gene) and Virginia (Ginny) Kyle. Marsha was a lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford.

Spending all of her life in the Rockford area, her youth was spent around her neighborhood home on Catherine...

George P. Milne Iii

George P. Milne Iii

February 8, 2023

George P. Milne III, 89, passed away on February 8, 2023. He was born on June 3, 1933, in Oak Park, IL, the son of George P. and Thelma (Rowe) Milne Jr.

Following graduation from Rockford High School and service in the U.S. Army, George continued his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and earning an MBA...

Ellen J. (Mordt) Hand

Ellen J. (Mordt) Hand

February 8, 2023

Ellen Josephine Mordt Hand: 1927 – 2023

Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Ellen Josephine Mordt Hand (Rockford, Illinois) who passed away on February 8, 2023 at age 95.

Ellen was an alumna of Rockford University/College and accomplished business woman who was the secretary/treasurer of three local businesses. She also managed, alongside her husband, what was at the time,...

Robert "Bob" Dennis Basick

Robert "Bob" Dennis Basick

February 7, 2023

Robert "Bob" Dennis Basick, 82, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Wesley Willows Health Care Center in Rockford, Illinois. He was born March 29,1940, in Chicago, the son of Michael and Florence (Tadevic) Basick. Bob was an Army veteran serving from 1963 to 1965, fulfilling reserve obligation in 1969. Bob met his wife, Donna Doljanin, the love of...

Richard T. Degroff

Richard T. Degroff

February 7, 2023

Richard T. DeGroff, 59, unexpectedly passed away on February 7, 2023 in Pensacola, Florida. Born in Rockford, Illinois on February 5, 1964, son to Hugh and Linda (Freedlund) DeGroff. In 2005 he met Lori, and they wed October 12, 2018, in Destin, Florida. He was employed for over thirty years at Cintas as a Route Sales Representative. In his free...

Bernard "Bernie" S. Krowczyk, Jr.

Bernard "Bernie" S. Krowczyk, Jr.

February 7, 2023

Bernard “Bernie” S. Krowczyk, Jr. 80, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on December 25, 1942, and was the son of Bernard S. and Celia (Brodeski) Krowczyk, Sr.

On January 11, 1964, Bernie married Sharon Gatto at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rockford. Together they raised 3 children, Sherrie, Sandi...

William H. Johnson

William H. Johnson

February 7, 2023

William H. Johnson, 74, passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on February 7, 2023. Even though he left this world to soon, his loving heart will be a beacon of light for his family.

Bill was born on January 22, 1949, in Madison, WI. It was there where he met the love of his life, Marilyn (Bender) Johnson....

John Paul Killion

John Paul Killion

February 6, 2023

John Paul Killion, 81, of Rockford, passed away on February 6, 2023. He was born on February 22, 1941, in Lincoln, IL, the son of William and Ruth (Mason) Killion. John served in the U.S. Army. He married Kathy Dehner on June 14, 1969, and she preceded him in death in 1989. John earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois...

Orpha M. Savala

Orpha M. Savala

February 6, 2023

Orpha Savala (Dull) of Rockford, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, from a short illness with cancer.

She was born April 28, 1932, the daughter of Forest and Grace Dull. She married the love of her life Dominic Savala, on September 2, 1951, in St. Patrick Church, Rockford. Orpha was an avid gardener, volunteer and had a love for creating...

Diane (Snodgrass) Conklin

Diane (Snodgrass) Conklin

February 6, 2023

Diane (Snodgrass) Conklin, 80, Rockford, passed away peacefully Monday, February 6, 2023, at Lincolnshire Place surrounded by family and friends. She was born September 24, 1942, in Geneseo, the daughter of Clinton and Blanche (Pryce) Snodgrass. Diane was graduate of Geneseo High School, class of 1960. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and her master’s degree...

Mary Ellen Lofgren

Mary Ellen Lofgren

February 5, 2023

Mary Ellen Lofgren, 71, of Rockford, passed away on February 5, 2023 at Loyola University Hospital. She was born on September 4, 1951 in Rockford, the daughter of Henning and Rosemary (Thomas) Lofgren. She worked at Schnuck’s in the deli department for many years. Mary was a member of Westminster Church and a supporter of the Salvation Army Church. She...

Aphayvanh "Tony" Sonethavilay

Aphayvanh "Tony" Sonethavilay

February 5, 2023

Aphayvanh “Tony” Sonethavilay, 47, passed away in his home on Sunday, February 5, 2023. Born in Saphay, Laos, son to Singthong and Manikhone Sonethavilay. As a child, Tony came to the United States with his family. He enjoyed spending his time in his home, most notably around all of his electronics. He was a quiet, smart, friendly, and generous man,...

Joseph "Joe" A. Loscheider

Joseph "Joe" A. Loscheider

February 4, 2023

Joseph (Joe) Loscheider, 87 years old, passed away at Alden Debes Nursing Center, Rockford, Illinois on February 4, 2023. Joe was born in Joliet, Illinois on August 4, 1935. He attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1953. Joe worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company for 39 years and retired in 1990.

He enjoyed...

James "Jim" F. Grubb

James "Jim" F. Grubb

February 4, 2023

James “Jim” F. Grubb, 84, of Byron, IL passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023, following a long battle with cancer.

He lived an incredibly active life, working into his late 60’s. Along with his wife of 64 years, they enjoyed traveling, spending time in Hawaii, Alaska and exploring the continental US. A fan and ardent supporter of the Phantom Regiment,...

Richard "Dick" K. Farson

Richard "Dick" K. Farson

February 2, 2023

Richard “Dick” K. Farson, 81, passed away on February 2, 2023, in Rockford, Illinois. Born in Akron, Ohio, the second of five boys to Harold and Evelyn (Dolan) Farson. Dick attended school in Marysville and Marion, Ohio and graduated from Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1959. He served in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. He worked as...