Obituaries

Julio Allen

Julio Allen

Feb 19, 2018

Julio Allen, 33, of Rockford, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 19, 2018 in Knoxville, TN. Born on June 4, 1984, son of Tomango Sanders and Connie Mangrum. Julio was part of the 1997 Booker Washington Center National Championship team in Las Vegas, NV. Attended East High School, later received his GED. He was employed as...

Lisa M. Carter

Lisa M. Carter

Feb 18, 2018

Lisa Marie Carter, 46, of Rockford died on February 18, 2018 in her home. Born on July 23, 1971 in Thunder Bay, Canada; daughter of Andrew and Linda (Pollow) Sharp. Graduate of Belvidere High School, and Rock Valley College. United in Marriage to David Carter on October 2, 1999 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford. Lisa loved spending time...

Joann Luker

Joann Luker

Feb 7, 2018

JoAnn Luker, 82, of Belvidere died on February 7, 2018 at MapleCrest Care Center. Born on May 17, 1935 in Maysville, KY, daughter of William and Mary (Beckett) Wallace. United in marriage to Robert Bruce Luker on July 19, 1996 in Richmond, IN. She was a loving wife. Survived by her husband, Bruce; children, Linda (Roger) Stacy, Vicky Turner, Denny...

Carolyn J. Mcneil

Carolyn J. Mcneil

Feb 4, 2018

Carolyn J. McNeil (nee Tingley), 84, of Roscoe died peacefully at home on February 4, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born of August 16, 1933 in Galesburg, IL; daughter of Francis David "Shorty" and Iva Geneva (House) Tingley. United in Marriage to Wayne "Bud" L. McNeil on June 7, 1953 in Galesburg, they were together for 64 years. Carolyn...

Robert Harold Petersen

Robert Harold Petersen

Jan 20, 2018

Robert Harold Petersen, 83, of Rockford died on January 20, 2018 in his home. Born October 14, 1934 in Toledo, OH; son of Clarence and Dorothy (Tober) Petersen. Graduate of Waite High School in Toledo, where he participated in cheerleading and National Honor Society. United in marriage to Patricia Ziegler on August 10, 1955 in Toledo. Robert attended college for...

Steven Eugene Kotz

Steven Eugene Kotz

Jan 18, 2018

Steven Eugene Kotz, 71, of Rockford died on January 18, 2018 in his home. Born October 7, 1946 in Presho, SD; son of Al and Mabel (Knudtson) Kotz. Graduate of Presho High School. Steven served in the United States Navy as a radar operator. United in Marriage to Barbara Sheese on November 27, 1968 in Rockford. Steven retired from Borg...

Mark Alexander Welch

Mark Alexander Welch

Jan 14, 2018

Mark Alexander Welch, 31, of Rockford died on January 14, 2018 in his home. Born on June 18, 1986 in Barrington, son of John and Bonnie (Sutherland) Welch. Mark attended St. Rita Catholic School and graduated from Boylan High School class of 2004, attended University of Wyoming on an academic scholarship. Mark was employed at Walmart. He loved animals, especially...

Allen R. Smith

Allen R. Smith

Jan 13, 2018

Allen R. Smith, 74 of Rockford died on January 13, 2018 in his home. Born on October 30, 1943 in Janesville, WI, son of Roy and Mabel (Thompson) Smith. Served in the United States Army and Air Force. Allen was generous to a fault, and occasionally ornery. Survived by his children, Walter "Butch" (Shellie) Smith of Rockford, Penny (Chad) Musso...

Beverly Marie Molitor

Beverly Marie Molitor

Jan 1, 2018

Beverly Marie Molitor, 69, of Loves Park went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 1, 2018. Born on June 6, 1948 in Rockford, daughter of Orville and Hazel (Peterson) Blegen. Graduate of West High School. In her younger years, Beverly was employed at the Top Hat Restaurant. She was a proud and devoted mother and grandmother. She...

Robert B. Hendren

Robert B. Hendren

Dec 21, 2017

Robert B. Hendren, 68, of Roscoe died on December 21, 2017. Born on July 29, 1949 in Rockford, son of William and Margaret (Brankin) Hendren. Robert served in the United States Marine Corps. 3rd Marine Div. in Vietnam. He received the Purple Heart. United in marriage to Patricia Warner on September 17, 1977 in Skokie. He retired from Dean Foods/Bay...

William George King

William George King

Dec 20, 2017

William George King, 83, of Rockford died on December 20, 2017 in his home, surrounded by loved ones. Born March 8, 1934 in Hoxie, AR, son of William James and Rose Nellie (Carley) King. United in marriage to Vicki Ames on June 4, 1975. He was a self-employed contractor, specializing in siding. Bill loved watching all types of sports, his...

Joseph John Mercaitis Jr.

Joseph John Mercaitis Jr.

Dec 19, 2017

Joseph John Mercaitis Jr. 75, of Rockford died on December 19, 2017. Born June 3, 1942 in Rockford, son of Joseph and Mae (Nordstrom) Mercaitis Sr. United in marriage to Michele Lage on June 2, 1962. Formerly employed at Sunbeam Bakery and Durst, where he repaired machines. He was an avid HAM Radio operator. Survived by his wife, Michele; children,...

Gene C. Michaels

Gene C. Michaels

Dec 18, 2017

Gene C. Michaels, 78, of Belvidere was called home by Jesus on December 18, 2017. Born October 6, 1939 to Clemens and Frances (Duszynski) Pruszynski in Chicago. Graduate of Lane Tech High School in Chicago. In 1958 he joined the United States Air Force. He received an honorable discharge in 1962 and remained in the Air Force Reserves for two...

Helen Irene Bird

Helen Irene Bird

Dec 17, 2017

Helen Irene Bird, 94, of Rockford died on December 17, 2017 at River Bluff Nursing Home. Born on May 17, 1923 in Rockford. Helen was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. Survived by her children, Thomas (Nancy) Luepkes, Amber Allen and Marlena; 8 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her first husband, John Luepkes, second husband, Jerry...

Charles V. Barker

Charles V. Barker

Dec 6, 2017

Charles "Chuck" "Charlie" V. Barker, 86, of Shirland died on December 6, 2017. Born February 24, 1931 in Freeport, son of Verdi and Grace (Reimer) Barker. Graduate of Hononegah High School class of 1949. United in Marriage to Carol Roth on June 16, 1951 in Shirland. Charlie was the owner of Barker Excavating, retiring at the age of 82. In...

Edward Calvin Day

Edward Calvin Day

Dec 5, 2017

Edward Calvin Day, 90, of Rockford passed into eternity December 5, 2017 at Independence Village. Born May 4, 1927 in Belvidere, middle son of Floyd and Mabel (Dorn) Day. Graduate of Belvidere High School and also attended Lincoln Institute while working at Barber Colman for 17 years. Later Ed worked at Ingersoll for one year and Rockwell for 13 years....

Geneva A. Charnesky

Geneva A. Charnesky

Nov 29, 2017

Geneva A. Charnesky, 88, of Loves Park went to be with her Lord and Savior on November 29, 2017. Born on August 18, 1929 in Bowling Green, KY; daughter of John and Carmen (Davenport) Adams. Graduate of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, IN; class of 1947. United in marriage to John M. Charnesky on August 8, 1953 in Milwaukee,...

Ralph Kenneth Quanstrom

Ralph Kenneth Quanstrom

Nov 19, 2017

Ralph Kenneth Quanstrom, 97, of Rockford, and a longtime resident of Galesburg; passed away on November 19, 2017 at River Bluff Nursing Home in Rockford. Born January 14, 1920; son of Edward John and Lillian (Lundholm) Quanstrom. He attended Altona High School, where he was a star basketball player, shot put and javelin thrower. He was nicknamed "Punk" by his...

Major (Retired) William O.  Brown

Major (Retired) William O. Brown

Oct 25, 2017

Major William O. Brown (Retired) Born: March 17th, 1927 Promoted to Glory: October 25th, 2017 Major William O. Brown, 90, was promoted to Glory on Wednesday evening, October 25th, surrounded by his family. William was born to Oliver and Dorothy Brown on the 17th of March 1927 in Gary, IN. He served honorably with the US Army in WW2 and...

Cory Michael Spires

Cory Michael Spires

Oct 20, 2017

Cory Michael Spires, 28, of Poplar Grove died on October 20, 2017. Born April 5, 1989 in Rockford; son of Craig and Patricia (Johann) Spires. Cory was a graduate of Harlem High School. As a child, he attended Calvary Memorial, where he accepted the Lord as his Savior on a mission trip. He served his country proudly in the United...