O B I T U A R I E S For Whiteside County Illinois
FOSTER E. FIKE
- Funeral services for Foster E. Fike were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Monday in Fourth Street Methodist Church. Officiating were the Rev. James H. Odom, pastor, and the Rev. Lawrence Axelson of Joliet, a former pastor.
Mrs. Albert F. Schwab was organist. Ushers at the church were Howard Thompson, John Bisse and Richard Gerhring.
The burial took place in Riverside Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Frank B. Kennedy, Robert W. Besse, John T. Beckwith, Roy D. Arnold, Keith W. Benson, Philip H Ward, Herbert E. Bell and W. A. Weeks. Pallbearers were George J. Nieman, Fay A. Nice, Kennard Besse, William E. Hill Jr., Keith W Benson Jr. and Clayton Schuneman.
Flowers were taken care of by Mr. and Mrs. John Hungate, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Mitchell, Mrs. Kennard Besse and Swartleys. The body was removed from the Melvin Funeral Home to the church at noon to lie in state until the hour for the services.
CHARLES FIORINI
, 91, of Rock Falls, died Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Coventry Living Center, Sterling.
Charles was born Nov. 6, 1917, in Rock Falls, the son of Antonio and Rosa (Iorio) Fiorini. He attended Rock Falls schools.
In 1939, he joined the National Guard and served with Company M. While serving in the guard, his unit was called during World War II. They joined the Army’s 132rd Infantry in Guadalcanal from December 1942 to 1943. During his time in service, Charlie contracted malaria 11 times and was discharged in 1944. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery.
After his discharge, Charlie graduated from barber college in Chicago, and along with his brothers, Harry and Joe, opened the Esquire Barber Shop in downtown Rock Falls. He married JoAnne Fletchic on Oct. 7, 1950, in Morrison. In 1970, he went to work at Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., Sterling, working there 30 years until the mill closed in 2001. Charlie was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rock Falls. He enjoyed bowling, playing his harmonica, walking his beloved dog, Belle, and was a collector of many things.
Surviving are his wife, JoAnne; their children, Nick (Maggie) Fiorini of Fort Myers, Fla., Tony (Beth) Fiorini of Rock Falls, Reneé (John) McManus of Pearland, Texas, Dave Fiorini, of Rock Falls, Chris (Kathy) Fiorini of Elkhorn, Wis., Phillip (Radonna) Fiorini of Lafayette, Ind., and Gina (Gary) Frank of Sterling; 11 grandchildren, Nikolai and Julian Fiorini, Jim and Matt Rohwer, Nathan and Ian McManus, Elana and Andrew Fiorini, and Jakob, Michael, and Anton Frank; four great-grandchildren, Elijah, Gabriel, Zion, and River; two brothers, Louie Fiorini of Normal and Joe (Marge) Fiorini of Sterling; three sisters, Gloria (Bruce) Lundquist of Rockford, Mary (Vernon) Bachs of Peoria, and Amelia Wolf of Peoria; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Fiorini; and two sisters, Irma Fiorini and Josephine Fiorini.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Rock Falls, with the Rev. Louis Tosto officiating.
Burial with military honors is at Calvary Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Ave., Rock Falls
Contributed by Judy Hook - Sterling Gazette 18 May 2009 COMFORT FITZGERALD
passed away Monday at 10:15 a.m. at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. N. L. Aldrich of 912 W. 5th St. She slept peacefully into eternity. The body was removed to the Trough Funeral Home, where friends may call after 7 o'clock this evening. The rosary will be recited Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. at S. Mary Catholic church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Comfort E. Jackson was born July 14, 1862 at Village Creek, Ia., one of a family of eight children of whom she was the last of her family. Her parents were Robert Turner Jackson, a veteran of the Civil war, and Matilda Deaver Jackson. In 1882 she was united in marriage to Dennis L. Fitzgerald who survives. She is also survived by eight of 11 children born to this union. Two passed away in infancy, and a son, Leo Fitzgerald passed away last December.
The surviving children are Earl R. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Maud Scott, Mrs. N. L. (Alice) Aldrich, Raymond and Maurice Fitzgerald of Sterling, Greg Fitzgerald of Parkston, S. Dak., Mrs. Gifford (Monica) Wahl, Glendale, Calif., and Mrs. Paul J. (Florence) Detloff of Chicago. She is also survived by 30 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren. Mrs. Fitzgerald came to Sterling in May of 1909 and has resided here since that time. She had been failing for around two years and had been critically ill the past two weeks.
DAVID LEO FITZGERALD
- Funeral services will be held at the Trouth Funeral Home for Leo Fitzgerald at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, and requiem mass celebrated for the repose of his soul at 9 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. The rosary will be said by members of the Knights of Columbus at 8 p.m. Monday and by the Holy Name Society at 8 p.m. Tuesday. David Leo Fitzgerald was born near Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa, Dec. 6, 1896, the eighth child in a family of 11 chilcren (two of whom died in infancy). His death was the first in the family in 60 years. He is survived by his widow, Margaret Scanlon Fitzgeraldd and four sons and four daughters, also Patricia Scanlon Andrus of Oakes, ND., who was reared by him. The children are Robert, student naval aviator, Kingsville, Tex.; Joseph, serving with the Navy Seabees in the Philippines; Philip, at home; John, student at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn.; Mary Patricia, RN, Mercy Hospital, Devil's Lake, N.D.; Margaret (Peggy) secretary, Mercy Hospital; Barbara and Ann, students at St. Mary's Academy, Devil's Lake. The aged parents, Dennis L. and Comfort Jackson Fitzgerald and the following borthers and sisters also mourn his loss: Earle, Raymond and Maurice, Sterling; Greg, Parkston, S.D.; Maud Scott and Alice Aldrich, Sterling; Monica Wahl, Glendale, Calif., and Florence Detloff, Chicago. The deceased spend his boyhood in Sterling and completed the elementary school training at Lincoln School. He spent several years farming near Spencer, S.D. before he went to Chicago where he became a civil engineer. He married Margaret Jane Scanlon of Rosscommon, Ireland, in that city Oct. 12, 1925. To this union eight children were born. Mr. Fitzgerald brought his family to Rock Falls in 1944 and engaged in the trucking business for three years when he purchased land near Oakes, N.D., and moved the family to their present farm there. He was stricken with a heart attack on Monday evening, Dec. 3. and died the following Thursday at St. Joseph's Hospital, Oakes. Leo Fitzgerald was a quiet, unassuming person, a devout Catholic and a devoted husband and father. His death ends a life of unselfish service.
DENNIS FITZGERALD
- 95, was laid to rest Thursday in the family lot in Calvary Cemetery.
His body, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Greg Fitzgerald, arrived in Sterling from Parkston, South Dakota, at 7:45 Thursday morning and was taken to the Trouth Funeral Home where services were conducted at 9 a.m. by Rev. Frank Bonnike, assistant pastor of St. Mary Church.
Mr. Fitzgerald passed away on July 4 (1955) and funeral services were held in Sacred Heart Church, Parkston, S.D. Rev Father Urban Rodenbur offered the requiem mass at 8 a.m.
Graveside services were conducted by Father Bonnike and the pallbearers were Maurice, Marion, Charles and Edmund Fitzgerald, Richard Scott and John Wessels
EARLE R. FITZGERALD
for many years a resident of Sterling, passed away at his home at 1102 4th Ave. at 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Day after an illness of several months. He was born in Lansing, Iowa, on Feb 21, 1884, and was married May 18, 1908 at Emery, South Dakota to Virginia Schiltz, who survives together with the following sons and daughters, Marion, Charles, and Edmund of Sterling, Father John, O.S.B. of St. Bede Abbey, Peru, Sister Gerald Ann, S. L. of Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Martin (Rita) Lawson, Celeste, Mrs. John (Virginia) Wessels, and Mrs. Kenneth (Roberta) Hasenyager Jr., all of Sterling and 27 grandchildren. A son Gerald and a daughter Agatha, as well as four infant children preceded him in death.
Mr. Fitzgerald is also survived by a number of brothers and sisters, Mrs. John Scott, Mrs. Norris Aldrich, Raymond and Maurice of Sterling, Mrs. Gifford Wahl of Glendale, Cal., and Greg Fitzgerald of Parkston, South Dakota. Mr. Fitzgerald was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Holy Name Society and a faithful member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock in the Grennan and Son Funeral Home and 10:30 in St. Mary's Church, Rev John Fitzgerald will off the requiem mass. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Sterling Knights of Columbus and at 8 p.m. Sunday by the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church.
Funeral services for Earl R. Fitzgerald were held Monday morning in the Grennan and Son Funeral Home, with a requiem mass in St. Mary's Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. John Fitzgerald, a son of Mr. Fitzgerald, officiated at the services. Father Fitzgerald is assigned to St. Bede's Abbey, at Peru, Ill.
Pallbearers were Paul Barkdoll, Ed Kereven, Ed Mannion, John Pignatelli, Earl Johnson and Norm Bilger. Flowers were cared for by Bob Puckett.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.
EDMUND FITZGERALD
, 79, of 805 Coventry Lane, Sterling, died Wednesday, Mar 18, 1998 at Coventry Village. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Paul White, pastor, officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Sterling American Legion Post 296 will be at Calvary Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Grennan Funeral Home, Sterling, with a 7 p.m. Rosary. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, or for Hospice of the Rock River Valley.
Mr. Fitzgerald was born June 29, 1918, in Farmer, S.D., the son of Earle Robert and Virginia Barbara (Schiltz) Fitzgerald. He married Margaret Conley on May 4, 1946, in Pierce City, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was employed as an electrician at National Manufacturing for over 40 years prior to retiring. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, and the Sterling American Legion Post 296. Survivors include one son, Gerald (Susan) Fitzgerald of Sterling; two daughters, Donna Mae (Richard V.) Hermes of Dixon, and Patricia Joan (James) Kass of Joplin, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sister Margaret Fitzgerald SL of St. Louis, MO., Virginia Wessels and Celeste Fitzgerald both of Sterling, and Roberta Hasenyager of Rockford; and one brother, Father John Fitzgerald of St. Bede. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; and one granddaughter, Corrine Ann.
GENEFIEVE (MATTHEWS) FITZGERALD
, age 77, died Sunday at CGH Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Rev. John Fitzgerald officiating. The National Catholic Order of Foresters will conduct a rosary at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemtery. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's School or Ne---han High School.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was born March 30, 1912 in Emery, S.D., the daughter of Edward and Mary Lous Matthews. She married Marion J. Fitzgerald on June 1, 1937. he died March 31, 1973. Mrs. Fitzgerald was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, and the National Catholic Order of Foresters.
She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Mary K) Schuiltz of Sterling; eight grandchildren; one sister, Ann Hillard of Emery S.D., and one brother, Albert of Emery, S.D. She was preceded in death by one brother, John; one sister, Margaret; one son, Jim; one granddaughter; two great grandsons; and one great granddaughter.
GERALD FITZGERALD
, 14, Is Drowned Wednesday Eve - Body Not Recovered. The third drowning in the past month was recorded about 7:20 o'clock last evening when Gerald Fitzgerald, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fitzgerald of Wallace street, lost his life in the waters of Rock river just below the mouth of Coe's creek. The body has not been recovered. Gerald in company with his older brother Marion, Donald and Eugene Kohl, Otis and William Anderson and several other boys left about 6:30 o'clock last evening and walked to the mouth of Coe's creek, which is a distance of about two miles, and then went in wading. Neither Gerald nor Marion could swim and with the others were paddling about in the water. Gerald was just learning to swim and it is believed that in going out from the shore he got out where there is a stepoff. The current is swift and it is believed the undercurrent pulled him down. He called for help and Marion and several of the other boys tried to wade out to him to get an old automobile tire to him, but just before they reached him, he went down for the third time.
As soon as the word was received here a number of people went out and began dragging the river with nets and hooks. Chief Connel Nichols has taken charge of the search for the body and everything will be done to find it. Last evening Walter Thomas had a force from the Illinois Northern Utilities company at work dragging the river and among the many others who were in the search were Fred and Howard Scott, Lee Behrens, Amos Shultz and Merle Modler. The drowning occurred about 7:30 p.m. After dragging the river with a net and hooks last evening until after midnight the search was given up until this morning when another group began work. It is possible to wade out from shore to almost the middle of the river before the swift current is reached. It is just where this current is met that there is a stepoff and the river becomes very deep. The third tragic death within a month's time serves to bring to the minds of the people of this community more forcibly the need of a swimming pool.
Funeral: The remains of Gerald Fitzgerald, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fitzgerald, of Wallace street, who was drowned in the waters of Rock river, Wednesday evening about 7:30 o'clock, were found this morning several miles north of Lyndon, not far from where the body of Charles Rakow was found several weeks ago. The call was received about 7:30 o'clock this morning at the fire station from the R. D. Allen home that a body believed to be that of the Fitzgerald boy was floating in the river. Chief Connel Nichols, Chas. Van Gilder and Al Hathern drove to the scene and identified the remains. B. A. Forster, local undertaker, was notified and after securing permission of Coroner C. M. Frye, he removed the body to this city. The inquest will be held at the Forster & Sons undertaking parlor this evening by Coroner C. M. Frye.
MARGARET (SCANLAN) FITZGERALD
, 93, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Sterling, died Dec 31, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sterling, where the body will lie in state from 9:30-10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Thomas Bales, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Grennan Funeral Home, Sterling, with a rosary at 7 p.m. A memorial has been established to the Sterling American Heart Association, the Kidney Foundation, and Birthline.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was born Nov. 9, 1900, in Corlackin Creggs, County Galway, Ireland, the daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Naughton) Scanlon. She married David Leo Fitzgerald Oct 12, 1926, at St. Rita's Church. She immigrated to the United States in 1920 coming through Ellis Island, settling in Chicago. She was employed as a governess. She was a member of the PTA, Alter and Rosary Society and the Sodality.
Survivors include four daughters, Mary Patricia Fitzgerald of St. Cloud, Minn., Margaret Elizabeth "Peggy" Plemel of Starkweather, N.D., LTC Cecilia Ann Fitzgerald and Barbara Agnes Blackburn, both of San Antonio, Texas; two sons, Joseph Leo of St. Josephs, Minn., and Philip Earle of Denver, Colo.; 22 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; one sister, Bridget Challoner of Sheffield, England; and one brother, Bernard Scanlon of Woodchurch Birkenhead, England. She was preceded in death by two sons, 1st Lt. Robert David Fitzgerald USMC and John Francis Fitzgerald.
MARION J. FITZGERALD
, 63, of 1505 3rd Ave., died shortly before noon Saturday in Community General Hospital where he had been admitted a few hours previously.
The body was taken at 10 a.m. today from the Grennan and Son Funeral Home to lie in state in St. Mary's Catholic Church until 11 a.m. when the Rev. Philip Kennedy celebrated the Mass of the Resurrection. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery. A memorial was established to his memory.
Marion J. Fitzgerald was born Aug. 18, 1909 in Sterling, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earle Fitzgerald. He had been employed as an electrician at National Mfg. Co. since 1935. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Holy Name Society, an auxiliary Member of the Legion of Mary, a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and Member of Council 662, Sterling.
Surviving with his wife Mrs. Gen Fitzgerald are one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Mary Kay) Schultz of Emerson, his mother, Mrs. Earle Fitzgerald of Sterling and five sisters and three brothers, Sister Margaret Fitzgerald SL of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Martin (Rita) Lawson, Celeste Fitzgerald and Mrs. John (Virginia) Wessels of Sterling, Mrs. Kenneth (Roberta) Hasenyager of Rockford, Charles and Edmund Fitzgerald of Sterling and the Rev. John Fitzgerald O.S.B. of Cherry, Ill. There are six grandchildren. Preceding in death were his father Earle Fitzgerald, one son James Patrick, a grand-daughter Ann Marie, one brother and one sister.
MAURICE J. FITZGERALD
, 67, of 1514 1/2 5th Avenue, Sterling, died at 6 p.m. Thursday in Colonial Acres Rest Home.
There will be visitation at the Grennan and Son Funeral Home this Friday evening and a rosary is to be recited at eight o'clock.
Funeral rites will be held Saturday with a 9 a.m. prayer service in the funeral home and 9:30 a.m. requiem mass in St. Mary's Church. The burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Maurice J. Fitzgerald was born July 19, 1903 in Yankton, S.D., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Fitzgerald. He was engaged in the floor covering business in Sterling for many years.
Surviving are three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Maud F. Scott and Mrs. Alice Aldrich of Sterling, Mrs. Monica Wahl of California, Gregory of South Dakota and Raymond of Sterling. He was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers
VIRGINIA (SCHLITZ) FITZGERALD
, 89, of 312 E. 11th St., Sterling, died Wednesday morning in the family home. There is visitation from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Grennan Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Thursday by members of the Altar and Rosary Society. A memorial has been established. Funeral rites will be held Friday morning with a Mass for Christian Burial at 10:30 in St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in the family plot in Calvary Cemetery.
Virginia Schiltz was born Oct 30, 1884 in Emery, S.D., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Schiltz. She was united in marriage with Earle R. Fitzgerald May 19, 1908 in Emery, S.D. Surviving are eight children, Sister Margaret, S.L., of Los Angeles, Calif., Charles and Celeste Fitzgerald with whom she resided, Mrs. Martin (Rita) Lawson, Edmund and Mrs. John (Virginia) Wessels, all of Sterling, the Rev. John Fitzgerald OSB of Cherry and Mrs. Kenneth (Roberta) Hasenyager of Rockford. She was preceded by her husband in 1958, two sons, Marion in 1973 and Gerald in 1927, and a daughter Agatha in 1955. Mrs. Fitzgerald was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She also leaves 36 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mary's Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters
LOUIS LEANDER FISK
, of 607 W. 12th St., Rock Falls, passed away suddenly Thursday afternoon (5 Oct 1961) . He was born on April 6 1884 in Vestergotland, Sweden, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lars Leander Frisk. He was brought to America in infancy by his mother as his father passed away before he was born. They settled in the Tampico vicinity where he spent his boyhood days, except the time he spent in the Jacksonville School for the Blind from which he graduated. After his mother passed away in 1924 he lived with his sister, Mrs. Olga Johnson until a few months ago when he came to live with the Rev. and Mrs. Andrew Dittman. He was a member of the Baptist Church.
He is survived by one brother, Carl H. Stenros of Tampico; three sisters, Mrs. Esther Covell of Prophetstown, Mrs. Olga Johnson and Mrs. Dorothea Hinrichs, both of Rock Falls; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents and stepfather; two sisters, Esther in infancy and Mrs. Blanche Johnson. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wheelock-Allen Funeral home with the Rev. Harry E. Shiffer officiating, with burial in Tampico Cemetery. Rev. Andrew Dittman will have graveside committal.
GEORGE G. FLANDERS
, the son in law of J. W. Hixon of Tampico, and a man well known to the hotel proprietors throughout the country as the manager of a successful employment bureau in Chicago, died November 5th after a long illness. He is survived by a devoted wife, Mrs. Alice Flanders (nee Hixson), a brother, Wm. P. Flanders, and two sisters, Mrs. Dell Osborne and Mrs. Joseph Thomaszeski. The funeral services were held on Saturday, November 8th, from the family resident in Rogers Park.
George B. Flanders was born Nov. 6th 1862, at Batavia, New York. his father moved to Rochester, Minn., about '65 or '66 where he died in 1850. The mother with her family of little ones then moved to Lyndon, Ill. When she died in 1876, a year or two later, George Flanders came to Tampico to work in a general store. He remained in Tampico until 1882 when he was married and went to Battle Creek, Michigan, to engage in railroad work in which he remained several years, finally being made Passenger Agent for the Northern Pacific at St. Paul. In 1899 he engaged in Hotel Employment brokerage in Chicago and built up the best and highest class business of this kind ever operated in Chicago.
He enjoyed an acquaintance which numbered into thousands and reached from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
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