Obituaries

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory LTD. Obituaries

Local obituaries for the Rockford, IL area

John Robert Lofton

John Robert Lofton

Sep 2, 2024

John Robert Murphy, known to most as Bob, was born on March 2nd, 1932 to John and Elsie Murphy. As a toddler, Bob’s dad passed away and Elsie remarried Joe Lofton who adopted Bob. Bob, also known as Bockey to his loving family, passed away on September 2nd, 2024 in the beautiful home he designed and built for his wife...

Randall Lee Brand

Randall Lee Brand

Sep 2, 2024

Randall Lee Brand, known to family and friends as Randy, was born on February 6, 1960, in Harvey, Illinois. The son of Eileen (Vandenberg) Brand passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois. 

Randy was an extreme sports enthusiast who took immense joy in watching his daughters and grandsons play sports whether it be in-person or virtually; he was...

Charles P. Smith Jr. M.D. "Buddy"

Charles P. Smith Jr. M.D. "Buddy"

Sep 2, 2024

Charles P. Smith Jr., MD, “Buddy” 88, of Rockford, IL passed away Monday, September 2, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born October 16, 1935, in Washington, D.C. to Charles P. Smith Sr., and Jane Arloa Smith. Wed to Roberta “Bobbi” Rush Smith February 2, 1967, in Toledo, OH, he and Bobbi raised their children on the east side of Rockford.

In...

Ronald L. Schaad

Ronald L. Schaad

Aug 31, 2024

Ronald L. Schaad (1/23/1947 – 8/31/2024) grew up on his family’s farm near Bradford, IL with his parents, Gerald Schaad and Sibella (Jackson) Schaad and his older sister, Karen Andrew (her husband John). Ron attended elementary and high school in Bradford and was a member of the ‘famous’ 1964/65 football team. Ron was graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a...

Larry R. Gilbertson

Larry R. Gilbertson

Aug 29, 2024

Larry R. Gilbertson, 76, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 28, 1948, in Galena, the son of Robert and Pauline (Simmons) Gilbertson. Larry was a graduate from Harlem High School, class of 1966. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps serving as an aviation electrician working on the F4...

Josephine Mary Agostini

Josephine Mary Agostini

Aug 27, 2024

Josephine Mary Agostini, 96, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. She was born in Rockford, IL on November 1, 1927, the daughter of Desire and Mary (VanDen Driessche) DeBaere. Josephine married Mario Agostini on November 6, 1954, in Rockford, IL. She was a loving wife and mother of four children, spending most of her early family...

Marie V. Gagliano

Marie V. Gagliano

Aug 27, 2024

Marie V. Gagliano, 94, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Home. She was born October 24, 1929, in Rockford, the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Tumminello) Gullotto. Marie married Joseph Gagliano, in Rockford, on April 24, 1948. He passed away in Rockford on October 1, 2002. She was an original employee of Union Hall...

Philip Stephen Cacciatore, Sr.

Philip Stephen Cacciatore, Sr.

Aug 25, 2024

Philip Stephen Cacciatore, Sr., 68 years of age, passed away August 25, 2024, in Rockford, Illinois, surrounded by family at the home of loved ones. 

Born September 25, 1955, in Rockford, Illinois to parents Stephen S. and Velma C. (Ottinger) Cacciatore, Phil graduated from Guilford High School, then graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas in 1976 earning a bachelor’s degree in...

Christopher A. Kaminsky

Christopher A. Kaminsky

Aug 24, 2024

Christopher A. Kaminsky, 48, of Rockton, passed away suddenly at home on August 24, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and laughter. Affectionately known as Chris, was born on May 24, 1976, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He grew up in Palatine, where his infectious personality and expansive spirit began to take shape. Chris lived a life that was deeply...

Thomas P. Murphy

Thomas P. Murphy

Aug 24, 2024

Thomas P. Murphy, 75, Rockford, went home to the Lord peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2024, in Byron, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 23, 1948, the son of Sterling and Rosemary (Hart) Murphy. He was married to Margaret (Armato) Murphy on January 4, 1969, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. They were married for 51 years until...

Marcia E. Blassage

Marcia E. Blassage

Aug 24, 2024

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Marcia, a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She peacefully departed this world surrounded by her family on August 24th, 2024. Her battle with a terminal illness showed her courage and strength in facing life’s challenges. 

Born to Arthur and Helen Hammar, June 20, 1946 in Chicago, IL. After...

Cecil LeRoy Hinshaw

Cecil LeRoy Hinshaw

Aug 23, 2024

On April 22,1941, Cecil Leroy Hinshaw was born on a small farm near Lenox, Iowa to Ron and Verlea (Larson) Hinshaw. He grew up surrounded by loving cousins and two doting sisters, Janet and Rhonda, whom he cherished dearly. He was the smartest kid in his class at his one room schoolhouse (where he was also the only) through 8th...

Richard J. Alt

Richard J. Alt

Aug 22, 2024

Richard “Dick” Alt, 80, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, in Machesney Park, IL, with his wife Joanne and his family by his side. He was born October 15, 1943, in Cuba City, WI to the late Arthur and Mabel (Lindsay) Alt. He graduated from high school in Rising Sun, Maryland in 1961.

Dick served in the U.S. Airforce and...

David E. Raht

David E. Raht

Aug 21, 2024

David E. Raht, 78, passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials may be made in David's name to the American Brain Foundation, Academy of Neurology to be directed to the Encephalitis Society, 201 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415, https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org Any donations will be doubled between now and December 31st. 

The full obituary is pending at this time and will...

Marilyn H. Haddad

Marilyn H. Haddad

Aug 20, 2024

Marilyn H. Haddad, 95, of Rockford, passed away on August 20, 2024. She was born on March 24, 1929, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of William and Helen (Momenteller) Bray. She married Lloyd Haddad on February 9, 1952, and he preceded her in death on May 19, 2021. Marilyn enjoyed cooking, shopping, and crafting, especially ceramics. Marilyn and Lloyd loved...

Joan R. Easter

Joan R. Easter

Aug 18, 2024

Joan R. Easter, 85 of Rockford, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024. Born on November 1st of 1938 to Leo and Eva (Fuesting) Esker in Harvey, Illinois. She graduated from Loretto Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Chicago, Illinois and worked her first job at Fannie May on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, IL. She later worked at a local grocery...

Janice M. Brown

Janice M. Brown

Aug 18, 2024

Janice Marie Brown, a cherished mother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the age of 76, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.Born on May 28, 1948, in Prescott, Arkansas, Janice was the cherished daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Brown and Irene Brown. She moved to Rockford, Illinois as a...

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe

Aug 15, 2024

Ronald 'Ron' Sabbe, 76 of Cherry Valley, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2024. Born to parents Roger and Eileen (Welter) Sabbe in Rockford, IL on January 19, 1948.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; sister, Diane (Michael) Rohrbacher; and many nieces and nephews. 

No services will be held at this time to respect Ron's wishes. To send online condolences...

John Ray Olesen

John Ray Olesen

Aug 15, 2024

John Ray Olesen, of Loves Park, born to Rasmus and Vera Olesen, grew up in Winnebago, IL. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on August 15, at the age of 82. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and hard work. Born on August 6, 1943, John attended Clark University, then married Joyce (Bonnie Bea)...

Kathleen E. Carlson

Kathleen E. Carlson

Aug 14, 2024

Kathleen E. Carlson, 52, Belvidere, IL, passed away on Wednesday August 14, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 15, 1971, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Norman and Martha (Peper) Carlson. Kathleen married her longtime partner, Michelle, on February 9, 2015. 

At an early age, Kathleen was interested in sports and was on local...

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