All Obituaries

Rorrie Joseph Kramer, 42, of Fulton, IL, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 after a brief battle with Glioblastoma Brain Cancer.  He was born January 12, 1979 and married Bridget Bentrup on November 8, 2013.  Employed at Elkay Manufacturing Company for over 20 years.  Rorrie started as an operator on the assembly line and held many positions during his career at Elkay.  He was recently promoted to Manufacturing Manager over the Savanna and Lanark facilities. He was...

Pauline A. Carlson, 97, of Rockford passed away January 17, 2021. Born September 28, 1923 in Moline, IL, the daughter of Stephen and Linda (Samuelson) Hester. Raised in Chicago. Pauline enjoyed traveling with her husband. Survivors include children, Craig (Karen) Carlson, Darlene Ward; grandchildren, Steve, Rick, Bob, Candace; 5 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; husband; 3 sisters; and 2 brothers. Private family graveside service to be...

Jean Theresa Ross, 95, died on Saturday, January 16, 2021. Jean was the wife of the late Glenn H. Ross. They had a special marriage of 69 years. Born January 7, 1926 in Philadelphia, PA, Jean was the daughter of Charles B. and Anna Hockaday. She spent most of her life in the Rockford. Jean was a member of St. Edward’s and St. Peter’s Catholic Churches. Those left to honor her memory are Kathy (Matt) Ripplinger of Lanark, IL, Larry (Carol) Ross of Rockford, IL, Sandra (Rick)...

If ever there were a moment to doubt and panic, it was now. Bill closed the door of the car which sat lifeless along the side of the road. He was on the eastern plains of Washington state on a stretch of highway that was utterly devoid of traffic. His suitcase carried some clothes, a few reminders of Roscoe, and his transcript from Lawrence University. He was expected in Seattle a few hundred miles away, his Phi Kappa Tau brothers at the University of Washington oblivious to his current...

Carl E. Swanson, 85, of Loves Park, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021. He was born on May 12, 1935. Ernest and Edna Swanson were his parents. He graduated from East High School in 1953 where he was the major of the marching band and not only participated but started the track program which he was very proud of. He then served in the United States Army. Carl attended Iowa State and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Carl married the love of his life, Janice...

On January 14, 2021, Imogene Blough passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on August 29, 1924, in Freeport, IL, Jean lived all of her life in the Rockford area. After graduating from East High School in 1942, she worked for several years at the Illinois Bell Telephone Company. On May 22, 1948, she married Harry Blough, they shared 48 years of marriage together. Jean volunteered for over 30 years at River Bluff Nursing Home and enjoyed being a member...

Cynthia L. Osborn passed away on January 14, 2021 at the age of 72 joining her husband, Lee Herbert and son, Daniel in heaven. Cynthia was born in Rockford, IL on January 27, 1948 to Freeman and Lueva (Young) Coleman. She was married to Lee in 1970 and raised three children Gregory, Daniel and Jennifer (Osborn) Olivera who blessed her with seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren whom she was most proud of. A lifelong member of Parkside Nazarene Church her hobbies included crafting...

Jose De Loera Rodriguez, 90, of Machesney Park, passed away Monday, January 11, 2021. He was born on December 22, 1930 in Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico to Leonides de Loera and Antonia Rodriguez.  Funeral Mass will held on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2505 School St., Rockford, IL 61101 with visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Honquest Family Funeral Homes with Crematory, Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. Burial in Cedar Bluff...

Ralph Lyford Schoonmaker, 83, of Roscoe, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021.  Born on October 1, 1937 to Ralph and Dorothy (Lyford) Schoonmaker.  A Harlem High School graduate, Ralph was active in all sports, especially baseball.  Ralph retired from Brinks after 42 years.  He had a passion for golf and recently got a hole in one at Macktown Golf Course in Rockton.  Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Bernadine; children, Randall, Russell, and Rhonda; brother...

Mary Louise Lee, 56, of Rockford, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021. Born January 22, 1963 in Belvidere, IL, the daughter of John and Lois (Kaschub) McConnell. Mary enjoyed puzzles, playing cards and had quite the green thumb when it came to her house plants. She also enjoyed spending time with her cat, Winston, but most of all Mary enjoyed the time spent with her grandchildren. Survivors include children, Adam Lee, Ashley (Bryan Peacock) Lee; grandchildren, Raven Lee, Caston Simpson,...