Russell Handt
Jan 30, 2025
Russell A. Handt, 86, peacefully passed away in his home on January 30, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. Born May 3, 1938, in Belgrade, MN. Russ was a graduate of Rockford East High School in 1956. He joined the Marine Corp immediately after high school until 1961. He then joined the Rockford Fire Department, proudly serving for 26...
David Tomlin
Jan 29, 2025
David John Tomlin, 68, of Rockford, passed away on January 29, 2025. He was born on December 8, 1956, the son of Keith and Elizabeth (Whalen) Tomlin. David married Jan Freeman in October of 1978. He worked for Sundstrand in packaging and receiving and was a member of the UAW Union Local 592. David's most important accomplishment was becoming sober...
Rosemarie Zilz
Jan 27, 2025
Rosemarie "Butchie" Zilz (née Kotwica) , 87, formerly of South Chicago, passed away January 27, 2025. She was a b eloved mother to Jeannie (Matt) Wilson, Jack (Diana) Zilz, the late Tracy Zilz and the late Bob Zilz. She was a c herished grandmother to P.J. Villar r eal, Jackson Zilz and Jonah Zilz. A l oving g reat-grandmother to...
Karen Mayton
Jan 23, 2025
Karen M. Mayton , 66 of Roscoe, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, next to her family. Karen was born on November 2, 1958, in Racine, Wisconsin to her parents Beverly and Orville Solfest . Karen Graduated from Guilford Highschool class of 1976. Karen found her soulmate in Garland Mayton . They were married for 42 Years. Garland...
Wilma Burchett
Jan 19, 2025
Wilma (Willie) Marie Burchett, 93, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025 in her home in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in Spencer, Wisconsin on June 30, 1931, the daughter of Cecil and Elva Sanner (Harris) and grew up on the family farm near Chana, IL and graduated from Rochelle High School in 1949. She married Carl (Harvey) Burchett on...
Janet Nimm
Jan 19, 2025
Janet Gladys (Kottal, Kittel) Nimm, 91, of Rockford, IL, passed away on January 19, 2025. She was born on October 21, 1933, in Duluth, MN, raised in Racine, WI, and spent her adult life in Rockford, IL. Janet proudly worked for more than 30 years as a rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service where she...
Shirley Dieterman
Jan 18, 2025
Shirley Marie Dieterman of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025. She was born on September 3, 1948, in WI to Bernard and Margaret (Ihus) Heinz. Shirley had a loving heart and cared for many foster children. She was at her happiest when helping others. She enjoyed many different pets over the years including ferrets, birds, cats and...
Andrew Gade
Jan 15, 2025
Andrew "Andy" T. Gade, 47, of Rockford, passed away on January 15, 2025, in Rockford, IL, the son of Terry and Bev Gade. Andy enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors whether it was hiking, fishing, camping; he would go ice fishing and hunting with his dad. He did some woodworking and remodeling; he was a handy man. His girlfriend...
Joyce Kruschka
Jan 15, 2025
Joyce Alice Kruschka, 81, of Byron, IL, passed away in her home surrounded by family on January 15, 2025. She was born on February 3, 1942, in Chicago, IL; the daughter of George and Borghild (Reinertsen) Cooper. She was married to John Kruse on November 4, 1961, he passed away on September 29, 2021. Joyce had been a union member...
Patricia James
Jan 12, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our beloved mother, Patricia James, who left us on January 12, 2025, at the age of 80. She was surrounded by the love of her devoted family and her amazing caregiver, Jodi Mears.Patricia was more than just a mother—she was the heart of our family, a...
Aileen Day-Diegel
Jan 12, 2025
Aileen J. Day-Diegel, 77, of Rockford, passed away peacefully in her home on January 12, 2025. She was born June 9, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Donald and Ailene Philp. Aileen was a member of the American Legion. She enjoyed playing games on her phone and playing cards with friends and family. She had a heart of...
Joyce Lundstrom
Jan 5, 2025
Joyce Lundstrom, Age 94 joined her family in heaven on January 5, 2025. Joyce was born in Rockford Illinois on Flag Day, June 14, 1930. She often recalled that her father told her that everyone flew their American Flags, for her birthday. Joyce grew up during the great depression and became an accomplished seamstress at a young age saving her...
Leroy Wills
Jan 2, 2025
Leroy J. Wills, 87, of Rockford, passed way on January 2, 2025, in South Beloit, IL, at Fair Oaks Nursing Center. He was born July 14, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri; the son of Leroy and Alfreda (Kneezle) Wills. Leroy graduated in 1954 from Riverview Gardens High School in Bellafontaine Neighbors, Missouri. He retired from National Lock, where he had...
Kathleen Bauer
Jan 2, 2025
Kathleen Ann Bauer, 74, of Rockford, passed away on January 2, 2025. She was born on April 17, 1950, in Rockford, Illinois, the daughter of John W. Jr. and Violet Ester Marie Cowan. Kathleen graduated from Guilford High School in Rockford, IL, class of 1968. She was involved in the church for many years. Kathleen enjoyed old...
Terri Griffin
Jan 1, 2025
It is with profound sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Terri Rae Griffin (Stone), January 1, 2025, at the age of 58. Born on October 24, 1966, in Rockford, IL. She married the love of her life, Brian Griffin, on September 14, 2012, in Las Vegas and was very happily married for 12 years. She was a devoted...
Mary Massoth
Dec 30, 2024
Mary Ann Massoth, a lifelong resident of the Rockford region, died December 30 th of pancreatic cancer. She was 65. She attended Harlem High School and worked for the United States Post Office until retirement. She became part of the Boyd family early in life, helping to raise children for two generations. She will be most remembered for her ability...
Belinda Lund
Dec 29, 2024
Belinda Eldora (Scarpetta) Lund, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the age of 69. Born to Paul and Carol (Raymer) Scarpetta, Belinda grew up in Rockford and graduated from Auburn High School. Belinda devoted 48 remarkable years to Rockford Memorial Hospital where she was a chair for the...
Robert Landis
Dec 27, 2024
Robert Raymond “Bubba” Landis, 56, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away on December 27, 2024, in his home surrounded by his family. He was born on November 3, 1968, in Rockford; the son of William and Mary (Tangorra) Landis. He attended Harlem High School. He worked as a machinist for many years. Bubba married Kim Peterson on...
Terry Adams
Dec 27, 2024
Terry “Dean” Adams, AKA The Mayor, 76, of Rockford, passed away on December 27, 2024, in his home. He was born on July 8, 1948, in Peach Orchard, Arkansas; the son of Vester and Leona Mae (Brown) Adams. Dean was married to Donna “Dolly” Bennett. He worked as a welder, carpet layer, and was really a Jack-of-all-trades. Dean was also...
Gerald Sanders
Dec 26, 2024
Gerald “Jerry” L. Sanders, 66, of Rockford, passed away on December 26, 2024, in Rockford, IL, the son of Marvin Sanders Sr. and Virginia Williams. He graduated in 1977 from Harlem High School in Machesney Park, soon after he joined the Marines in 1977, with an honorable discharge in 1980. Jerry had known his wife Peggy Sanders for 26 years...
