All Obituaries

Kathleen Ann James, 70, of Machesney Park passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Born March 16, 1950 in Rockford to Douglas and Della (Kirkpatrick) Pennington. Married 49 years and 11 months to Richard James after being set up on a blind date; they only knew each other 3 days before getting engaged. Employed by Illinois Bell for 28 years. A member of St. Bridget Catholic Church, Loves Park. Kathleen was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. She loved her beagles, reading, the Beatles especially...

Ruth M. Mahay, 73, of Machesney Park formerly of Chicago passed away Monday, April 6, 2020. Born to Ruth A. and Edward J. Mahay of Chicago. Ruth enjoyed playing bingo and won medals in the Special Olympics. She also volunteered at the Harlem Community Center and was an ambassador at Heritage Woods. Survivors include brother, Ronald Mahay; sister, Patricia (Eugene) Grochowski; 9 nieces and nephews; several great nieces and nephews; 3 great great nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law,...

Harley L. Smith, 88, of Rockford, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2020. He was born on September 26, 1931 in Zion, Illinois to Arthur and Esther (Hall) Smith. Harley enjoyed reading.  A private family celebration of life will be held. 

Maynard John Molitor, 58, of Rockford, IL, passed peacefully in his home on Sunday, April 5, 2020. He graduated from Harlem High School in 1979, and had a career at Ingersol shortly after until they closed in 2002. After that, he went back to school to become a CNA. He worked at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, with so many wonderful people who touched his and his family's hearts, for 15 years. He was an incredibly hard worker, and was always there for his friends and family in...

Barbara Lynn Beard, 72, of Rockford, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020. She was born on September 5, 1947 in Rockford to Marvin and Norma (Engebretson) Beard. When Barbara was a baby she had cancer and was not supposed to survive but her Doctors performed an experimental radiation treatment on her and along with prayers from her devoted Mother, it worked.  Barbara is survived by her five siblings, Ronald (Pam) Beard of Loves Park, Gerald (Kathy) Beard of Abrams, WI, Thomas (Cleo) Beard...

Linda Zaccaria, 75, of Belvidere, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020. She was born on June 9, 1944 in Pinckneyville, Illinois to Lee and Leona (Holt) Boin. Linda married Sam Zaccaria in Chicago, Illinois. She was an auxiliary member of the VFW and the American Legion. Linda had a passion for fishing and enjoyed the slot machines.  Survivors include her niece and caregiver, Jodi Boin and numerous other nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents; daughters, Louise Zaccaria and Doris...

Mary M. Permin, 92, of Rockford passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Cremation rites to be accorded. Services to be held at a later date.

Tommie J. Hopper, 55, of Loves Park, IL passed peacefully, April 1, 2020 in Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL. Tommie is loved and will be missed by his children, Thomas Hopper, Ashli Hopper; granddaughters, Catrina, McKenna, Mya, McKinleigh; numerous nieces and nephews as well as his daughter-in-law and son-in-law. Tommie will be leaving behind his mother, Carolyn; brothers, Roy, Brian; and sisters, Brenda, and Cristy. Tommie enjoyed riding his bike whenever he was able to. He also...

Margarethe H. Vojtech, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, April 1, 2020 in New Milford, IL. She was born in Tauber, Germany (formerly Leipa District, Czechoslovakia) on August, 13, 1938 to Josef and Margarete (nee Domes) Spiegler. She married Vlastimil Vojtech in Heilbronn, Germany on June 30, 1956 and came to America in June of 1959. She became an American citizen in 1972, which she was very proud of. Margarethe was a faithful military wife for the twenty years that her...

Max Leroy Clevenger, age 84, succumbed to heart failure on March 31, 2020 in Mesa, AZ. Max was born in Grinnell, IA, to Ambrose and Therma Clevenger, the third of five brothers. He married Jeanice Winnike in 1957 and raised four children in Rockford, IL. In 1965, Max was accepted into the Illinois State Police, and after 26+ years of service he retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. Max was a social, active man and enjoyed nearly 30 years of retirement with Jeanice, splitting their time...