All Obituaries

Sammie G. Stroud, 67, of Caledonia passed away peacefully Friday, May 4, 2018 at Wesley Willows in Rockford.  He was born to Lester and Lucille Stroud in Belvidere, Illinois on April 29, 1951. Sammie graduated from Guilford High School and Rock Valley College.  Sammie worked at Blain’s Farm and Fleet in the small engine department until April of 2017.  Survivors include his brothers, Ronnie (Diana), Terry (Linda); sister, Tammy...

Anita Priscilla Steiner, 91 of Rockford, IL, formerly of Ferryville, WI, was welcomed into heaven's gates Monday, July 16, 2018, surrounded by her family. Born July 4, 1927, in Ferryville, WI, to Mabel Bolstad. Married Donald R. Steiner in December of 1947. Employed in security, and later as a cook for Bergner’s until her retirement. She enjoyed a good party, bingo, daytime tv, and shopping.  Anita was the best mother, always putting her family first....

Phyllis P. Strausser, 91, of Rockford, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care Friday, July 13, 2018. She was born on June 12, 1927 in Iowa County, Iowa to Vernon and Elsie (Powers) Goodman. She married Lloyd Strausser.  Survivors include her daughters, Jill Jones and Marsha Luhman; grandchildren, Arthur Luhman, Bart (Jennie) Luhman, Joe Casarotto and Chuck Casarotto; great-grandchildren, Clara Luhman, Ben Luhman and Levi Luhman; 3 nieces. Predeceased by her parents;...

Francisca Rodriguez, 89, of Belvidere, passed away suddenly on Friday, July 13, 2018. She was born in Durango, Mexico and immigrated to the United States. She married Aurelio Rodriguez and had two children who will miss her dearly. She loved listening to music, going out to dinner and spending time with her precious dog, Bella. She was a woman of faith who was dedicated to her family and her children. She loved to travel and enjoyed life to the fullest. She will be remembered for her...

Tina L. Theden, Our Ray of Sunshine, has gone on to shine in the Kingdom of Heaven and “live with the Angels,” firm in her belief of Christ’s promise to abide with him and her Heavenly Father. Tina Laura Theden, 61, of Rockford passed peacefully early in the morning of Friday, July 13, 2018 while residing at Rosewood Care Center. Tina was born to Robert and Joan (Fredrickson) Theden on October 5, 1956. She was a lifelong Rockford resident although she had traveled...

Cheryl Marie Hersrud, 56, of Chicago, IL passed away peacefully on July 12, 2018 in Rockford, IL. She was born on June 26, 1962 to Annabelle Hersrud. Cheryl loved life, her family and her dogs. She also loved cooking homemade meals, getting glammed up, making everyone laugh and being the best grandmother. Survivors include seven children, April, Joshua, Kimberly, Jillian, Alicia, Ryan, Agustine; 15 grandchildren, Angelica, Robert, Alyssa, Lillie, Rose, Joshua, Quinn, Kingen, Jasmine,...

Thomas “TR” Richard Miller, 80, of Roscoe, IL peacefully rejoined our Lord on Monday, July 9, 2018. Tom was born on April 13, 1938, in South Haven, MI. He grew up in Maywood, IL and attended St. James Catholic Grade School and Graduated from Proviso East High School. Tom was a veteran of the US Army, serving during years 1957-1963, Specialist Fifth Class, Radar, and was also a decorated ‘Sharpshooter (M-1)’, stationed in White Sands, NM. After being honorably...

Thomas Keip, 58, of Rockford, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018. He was born on October 25, 1959 in Kankakee, Illinois to James and Alice (Hahn) Keip. He married Dawn West on November 11, 2005 in Rockford. Survivors include his wife, Dawn Keip; children, Aaron (Miranda) Keip, Adam (Melissa) Keip, Andrew (Sharlett Kittoe) Keip, Thyler (Jiayin) Mabie, Cody (Brooke) Mabie, Austin Walls, Keegan Keip, Karah Keip and Addison Keip; 10 grandchildren; brothers, Jim (Doreen) Keip and John Keip;...

Mary Lou Harms, 89, of Rockord, passed away Monday, July 9, 2018. She was born on October 14, 1929 in Warroad, Minnesota.  Full obituary to follow. 

Jim Birks, long time stock car racer, 1959 Rockford Speedway Track Champion, and an accomplished outside salesman for White-Sundstrand Machine Tool passed away peacefully and willingly on July 7, 2018, at the age of 90 due to age related matters.  Born and raised on the land across the street from what is now St. Anthony Hospital, in Rockford IL, on March 22, 1928, where his grandparents helped to raise him at their farm called “Tip Top Stables”. He always loved animals but...