Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

Bernard R. Kemnetz

Bernard R. Kemnetz

April 30, 2021

Bernard R. Kemnetz, passed away Friday, April 30, 2021 at his home in Machesney Park, Illinois. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 5, 1943, the son of Raymond and Annette Kemnetz. He proudly served as Corporal in the Marines, and worked at Rockford Burrall Machine Company for the past 25 years. He is survived by those who loved...

Joanne C. Kelly

Joanne C. Kelly

April 30, 2021

Joanne Cardon Kelly, 91, of Rockford, IL passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021. She was born November 3, 1929 in Dormont, PA, daughter of James Louis and Ethel (Shade) Cardon. Joanne graduated from St. Francis High School in Clearfield, Pennsylvania in 1948 and with honors from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1952. During her internship at Hines...

Betty J. Wandell

Betty J. Wandell

April 30, 2021

Betty J. Wandell, age 86, passed away the morning of April 30, 2021. Betty was born on March 24, 1935 in Michigan City, Indiana. Married Robert M. Wandell on January 8, 1955 in Michigan City, Indiana. Betty is survived by her husband of 66 years Robert M. Wandell, 5 children, Barb Wandell, Robert A. (Lorelle) Wandell, Beth (John) Hallstrom, Brian...

Mallory Jane Sanchez

Mallory Jane Sanchez

April 29, 2021

Mallory Jane Sanchez, daughter of Megan Gorham and Matthew Sanchez entered this world for a few hours on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 dealing with complications of Trisomy 18, and miraculously fought to live longer than anyone expected. She was beautifully fragile; looking like a combination of her parents with lots of hair and a will to live. She is survived...

Pauline L.  Panozzo

Pauline L. Panozzo

April 28, 2021

Pauline L. Panozzo, 86, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2021. She was born January 5, 1935, in Rockford, the daughter of Fortunato and Domenica “Minnie” (Innanti) DeGrandis. She married Gino L. Panozzo in Rockford on October 6, 1954. He passed away on July 24, 2000. Pauline was an operator at Illinois Bell Telephone in Rockford for over 30 years....

Eduardo Cabello Jr.

Eduardo Cabello Jr.

April 28, 2021

Eduardo Cabello Jr., 80, of Roscoe, IL, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Eduardo was born in Laredo, TX on September 4, 1940, son of Eduardo Cabello Sr. and Francisca (Gonzalez) Cabello. He is survived by his loving wife, Socorro (Acosta) Cabello; dear children, Eduardo Cabello III, Corinna Limberg, Rick Cabello, Robert (Sue) Cabello, Stacey (Matt) Ciembronowicz, Roy Paulson...

David Wheatcroft Hinde

David Wheatcroft Hinde

April 27, 2021

David Wheatcroft Hinde After a short bout with cancer, David Wheatcroft Hinde has died at the age of 85. Born in Moline, Illinois to Margaret (née Shank) and Wilfrid Hinde, Dave attended Moline High School, graduating in 1953 as a National Honor Society member. He was president of the Camera Club, thus beginning his infatuation with nature photography. He played...

Sherie S. Kidd

Sherie S. Kidd

April 27, 2021

Sherie S. Kidd, 65, of Winnebago, Illinois passed away on April 27, 2021 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital. She was born on January 11, 1956 in Waco, Texas to Ernest and Eleanor (Farr) Kidd. Sherie spent most of her life in Waco, Texas. She graduated from University High School and then went on to McLennan Community College where she earned...

Florence E. Schultz

Florence E. Schultz

April 27, 2021

Florence Elizabeth Schultz, 85, of Freeport, IL, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Florence was born in Chicago, IL on October 18, 1935, daughter of Leo and Joan (Cammisar) Stoesser. Florence married Kenneth E. Schultz in Chicago on August 17, 1963. She was very proud of her career as a dental assistant to pediatric dentist, Dr. Harold W. Bonus...

Pravina Patel

Pravina Patel

April 27, 2021

Pravina Jitendra Patel, 87, Machesney Park resident, died Tuesday, April 27, 2021 in Javon Bea Hospital. Born June 2, 1933 in Vadodra India, daughter of Ramanlal Patel and Chandanba Patel. Married Jitendra Patel in 1954. He predeceased her in 2005. Pravina’s family was always the most important thing in her life; especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to sing...

Timothy  J. O'Leary

Timothy J. O'Leary

April 26, 2021

Timothy John O’Leary, a long-time resident of Rockford, IL, passed away suddenly on April 26, 2021 at the age of 86. Timothy was born in Chicago on February 2, 1935 to Timothy and Bridie O’Leary. He attended Loyola University and worked as an Accountant for Commonwealth Edison for 35 years. He was a devoted father and husband. He enjoyed 61...

Paul M. Mueller

Paul M. Mueller

April 25, 2021

Paul was born September 17, 1932 in Moline, IL to Meryle E. (Thornberg) and Wilbur B. Mueller. He graduated from Coal Valley High School, Coal Valley, Illinois where he was elected class president. He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and graduated from the University of Washington State with a Masters in...

Lawrence E. English

Lawrence E. English

April 23, 2021

Lawrence “Larry” E. English, 75, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2021. He was born November 12, 1945, the son of Frank and Ethel (Borris) English. Larry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1963 to 1969. He married his wife Michelle, and they were happily married for 44 years. Larry is survived by his siblings,...

John Sandona

John Sandona

April 22, 2021

John Peter Paul Sandona, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021. He was born to Jennie and Frank Sandona on May 15, 1939. John graduated from St. Thomas Catholic High School and served in the United States Army. He married the love of his life, Gerry, on November 26, 1966. He was a parishioner at St. Anthony church and later...

Wendy Schumacher Folven

Wendy Schumacher Folven

April 20, 2021

Wendy Schumacher Folven, 61, of Byron, IL passed away at home on Tuesday, April 20. Wendy, daughter of Colonel James and Marlene (Seideman) Schumacher, married Marc D. Folven on June 13, 1981 in Falls Church, VA. Wendy was an exceptional gymnast, coach, and judge while the family lived in Texas. After moving to Byron, Wendy was her daughters’ biggest fan,...

Robert Lee Van Cleave

Robert Lee Van Cleave

April 19, 2021

Robert Lee Van Cleave, 87, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 19, 2021. He was born on August 5, 1933, to Robert Edward Lee and Laura Louise (Frace) Van Cleave in Long Beach, California. Known as “Bobby” to family, friends and co-workers, he graduated from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, in 1952....

George John Famighette

George John Famighette

April 17, 2021

George John Famighette, 95, Roscoe, died on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Born July 21, 1925 in Oak Park, IL, son of Pascal and Mary Corso Famighette. Veteran of the U.S. Navy. Married Maryjane Bergin in 1952, she predeceased him in 1997. George then married Shirlee Oyen in 1998. George was a devoted Catholic and member of Church of the Holy...

Roberta A. Nielsen

Roberta A. Nielsen

April 17, 2021

Roberta A. Nielsen, 85, Rockford, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 16, 1935, in Evanston, the daughter of Robert and Alma May. Roberta married Loren L. Nielsen in Robbinsdale, MN on July 12, 1958. She was a long time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where her husband, Loren,...

Donald "Don" E. Wolf

Donald "Don" E. Wolf

April 16, 2021

Donald “Don” E. Wolf, 76, went home to be with the Lord on April 16, 2021. Born on March 1, 1945 son to Donald Wolf and Pauline (James) Carey. He went on to join the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Later in October of 1970 he married the love of his life, Carol Kee in Rockford, IL,...

Eunice L. Usedom

Eunice L. Usedom

April 15, 2021

Eunice L. Usedom, 86, of Rockford passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2021. Eunice was born in Woburn, MA on August 30, 1934, the daughter of James and Catherine Murphy. She graduated from Woburn High School and Lawrence Memorial Nursing School in Medford, MA. On October 16, 1955, she married Richard C. Usedom in Woburn. They remained married until...