All Obituaries

Jaclyn M. Grabow 27 Passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2019. Born in Rockford on August 14, 1991 to Stephanie M. Noling and Timothy  Grabow. Lived in Machesney Park, IL.  for 27 years.  She graduated from Harlem High School and recent attended Barbara Olson School of Hope. Survivors include; mother, Stephanie M. (Dan) Thompson; father, Timothy Grabow; sister, Alex Grabow; grandparents, Sandra Stafford and Steve (Connie) Noling; aunts and uncles, Tracy Brown, Scott...

Arvilla Jean Allen 93 Born to life - October 30, 1925 Born to eternity - May 11, 2019   Arvilla Allen (nee Friesenborg) was born in Lincoln Township, Iowa, on October 30, 1925, to William and Opal Friesenborg.  The family grew (6 more siblings), and as a young girl, she lived with her family on a farm in Buffalo Center, Iowa.  She obtained her teaching certificate after completion of high school and began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse. Having met the love of her life,...

Jesusa Ramirez 78 Rockford, IL . Passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019 at home following a lingering illness. Born on December 25, 1940 in Villasis, Philippines to Alfredo and Inocencia (Lomibao) Costales, Sr..  Jesusa lived in Rockford since 2010 where she made her home with her daughter and son-in-law and their family. She attended Centro-Escolar University where she graduated with a BS in Nutrition. Survivors include; daughter, Jennifer (Andy) Kopecky; sons, Erwin (Theresa) and...

Van K. Mefford 94 Born on December 20, 1924 in Des Moines, IA to Van and Helen (Cecil) Mefford. He lived in the Roscoe/Rockton area for 70 years. Van married Ila Gannon in 1955 and after her passing in 1981, he married Pat Bowgren in 1983  who passed in 1999. He was formerly a mechanical engineer with Borg-Warner for 30 years, retiring in 1984.  He was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Army Infantry. Van was a member of the Roscoe United Methodist Church, Rockton Masonic...

Christopher T. Stroud 48 Rockford, Passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 in his home, surrounded by his loving family after a 18 year illness. Born August 17, 1970 in Belvidere, IL to Jimmie and Sharon (Sauer) Stroud. He lived most of his life in the Rockford area. Married Gina M. Kozial on April 9, 2019 in Rockford. Chris was formerly a Operations Specialist in the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife Gina; mother, Sharon Stroud; daughter, Jaydyn Stroud; sisters, Glori Ann Stroud and...

  Kathleen Swindle 95 Rockford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in Wesley Willows Health Care Center. Born on April 27, 1923 in Pontefract, England to Ernest W. and Kathleen (Raby) Hudson. Moved to Bessemer, Alabama in 1945. She lived there until 1986 when she moved to Rockford, IL. She was a homemaker most of her life, enjoying crocheting, knitting, gardening, dancing in her younger years, big band music, watching cubs baseball and Alabama Crimson Tide...

Jean A. Castle 88 Rockford passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019 following a short illness. Born March 24, 1930 in Rockford to Robert and Helen (Rydberg) McNeilage. Jean married Millard E. Castle in Rockford on September 24, 1960. She was formerly a teller for 1st National Bank for 16 ½ years retiring in 1966. She was a member of Centennial United Methodist Church and Associate member of Empire United Methodist Church, Empire, MI.; Past President of Wesley Willows Auxiliary; Past...

  Gerald W. Powers 77 Rockford, passed way on February 12, 2019 in Fair Oaks Rehab Center following a long struggle with Frontal Lobe Dementia. He was born on June 29, 1941 in Rockford, IL to Willard and Florence (Plache) Powers. He married Helen M. Sehr in Rockford on July 7, 1962. Gerald was a meat cutter for Logli / Schnucks Grocery for 45 years. He was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church, YMCA Men's Club, He enjoyed riding his Harleys, sailing, old cars and going to car shows...

Betty Jane Schad 95 Rockford, died on Sunday, December 30, 2018 in River Bluff Nursing Home following a lingering illness. She was born in Elgin, IL on February 5, 1923 to Harold J. and Anna V. (Lundy) Wigginton. Betty graduated from Rockford West High School and was married to the late Donald W. Schad. She enjoyed being with family and friends, volunteering and playing bridge. Survived by; Daughter, Paula Jane Schad, Freeport; niece, Darla (Gilbert) Taylor, Winnebago; grand nieces,...

William T.  “Wally”  Vittetow 81 Rockford, Died on Monday, December 24, 2018 in his home at Independence Village Center. Born on April 5, 1937 in North Aurora, Illinois to Frank F. and Dorothy E (Anderson) Vittetow. On January 21, 1956 he was married to the Love of his Life Shirley (DeVenney) for 53 years. His family includes, Daughter: Kristine (Dean) Reed; grandchildren Christopher Reed, Meghan (David) Duran and Joshua Reed; great grandchild, Paul Benjamin Reed....