Obituaries Posted by Unger-Horner Funeral Home & Cremation Service

Apr 2, 2025

In loving memory of Fortunata "Rosa" Covelli Cassola

When asked what would she want her Superpower to be, she replied, "I would like to heal people."

A loving kind, warm and gracious soul. Fortunata "Rosa" Covelli Cassola, 89, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, April...

Apr 2, 2025

Rochelle

Mary Lou Kator, 81, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at her home in Rochelle, Illinois with family by her side.  Mary Lou was born on December 8, 1943 to Walter and Gertrude (Hinz) Buchman in New Castle, IN.  On August 29, 1964, she married William George Kator in Indianapolis, IN.

Mary Lou had...

Mar 28, 2025

Rochelle

Richard "Rick" Henry Kurz, age 66, died March 28, 2025 in Rochelle IL. He was born July 3, 1958 in Rochelle. He was the son of Orville and Barbara (Bunger) Kurz. He graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1976. He was a farmer in Ogle County for many years and a long time member of...

Mar 28, 2025

Gary Lee Isley, 59, of Rochelle, IL passed away Friday, March 28, 2025 at the Loyola University Medical Center, in Maywood, IL.  Gary was born May 17, 1965 in Rochelle, IL the son of Leland and Edna (Olivier) Isley. Gary graduated from RTHS in 1983 and lived most of his life in the Rochelle area.  He was a heavy...

Mar 25, 2025

Rochelle

Barry Lee Sanders, Sr., 67, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, surrounded by his loved ones. Born on July 7, 1957, alongside his twin sister, Sheri, in Rochelle, IL, he was the son of Robert and Betty (Macklin) Sanders.

Barry was a man of...

Mar 24, 2025

Laurel "Laurie" Smith, 69, of Rochelle, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2025,surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Rochelle on April 24, 1955, Laurie was the daughter of Maxine I. (Friestad) and C. Henry "Hank" McDermott. A proud lifelong resident of Rochelle; she devoted her life to her family, students, and friends.

...

Mar 20, 2025

Rochelle

Harold Richard Gosse, 84, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.  Harold was born on July 31, 1940 to Harvey and Ethel (Firth) Gosse in Independence, Iowa. He served with the United States Marines from June of 1958 to June of 1961. On October 7, 1961, he married Patricia Price...

Mar 14, 2025

November 1, 1929 – March 14, 2025

Evelyn Marie Bearrows, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025 at the age of 95, at the Apostolic Christian Home in Eureka, Illinois, surrounded by her family and special care givers. Evie was known for her loving and kind nature, and as...

Mar 14, 2025

Elizabeth "Susie" Ann Dean, 84, of Ashton, IL passed away Friday, March 14, 2025 at Allure of Mendota nursing home in Mendota, IL after a lengthy illness.

Susie was born on May 14, 1940 to George T. and Ila (Thelo) Wixom in Mendota, IL. She attended Mendota schools and graduated from MHS class of 1958. Susie worked...

Mar 12, 2025

Rochelle

James Eugene Reints, "JR", age 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 surrounded by family. James was born in Kings, IL on February 26,1937, to Raymond and Frances (Terviel) Reints, the youngest of four children, two of whom preceded him in death. He married the love of his...

Mar 11, 2025

Rochelle

David Frank Bakes, 75, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at his home in Rochelle, Illinois.  Dave was born on June 11, 1949 to Frank W. and Bernice (Oldenburg) Bakes in Elmhurst, IL. He served with the United States Army for two years.  On June 22, 1968, he married Cheri Hoefle at Mary Queen Of...

Mar 10, 2025

Steward

Richard Earl Watkins, 73, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. He moved to Steward Illinois in 2019 with his wife, Connie, and had been a life-long resident of Florida.

Born on August 2, 1951, in Richmond, Virginia, Richard was a man who embraced life with passion and conviction. He had...

Mar 7, 2025

Malta

Joan "JoAnn" A. Berg, 90, of Malta, IL passed away Friday, March 7, 2025 in DeKalb, IL.  Joan was born January 27, 1935 in Rochelle, IL the daughter of Merritt and Helen (Lazier) Leonard.  She married Robert L. Berg July 1, 1954 in Esmond, IL.  Joan was a nurse over the years, finishing out her career...

Mar 5, 2025

Steward

Betty A. Staton, 97, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at her niece's home in Naperville, Illinois.  Betty was born on November 25, 1927 to Frank C. and Marie A. (Goetting) Amberger in Petersburg, IL.  In 1945, Betty graduated from Petersburg Harris High School. On October 3, 1948, she married Clarence Staton in Petersburg, IL....

Mar 3, 2025

Rochelle

Ida Henrietta (Howe) Hall, 91, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025 at Manor Court in Rochelle, Illinois.  Ida was born on September 29, 1933 in Dixon, IL to George and Lillian (Yochem) Howe.  On July 27, 1951, she married Joseph G. Hall. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October...

Feb 27, 2025

Rochelle

Teresa Lynn Melvin, age 67, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Manor Court in Rochelle.  She was born on April 18, 1957, the daughter of Grant and Karen (Gardner) Kendall in Nephi, Utah.  On February 1, 1975, she married James T. Melvin in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Teresa enjoyed spending time with...

Feb 23, 2025

Samuel Joseph Graber's time on earth ended early Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the age of 82 at Manor Court in Rochelle.  We are sad. Yet, we are grateful his suffering has ended and he is now at peace.  Sam was born on June 27, 1942 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.  He was the seventh child of Ernest and Lenora (Schaaf)...

Feb 20, 2025

Nena Morrison, 94, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2025 at her daughter's house in Rochelle with family by her side.  Nena was born on June 1, 1930 to Carl and Ann (Castor) Cipolla in Rockford, IL.  On June 6, 1948, she married Harold R. Morrison in Rochelle.  He preceded her in death on March 9, 2006. She worked...

Feb 19, 2025

Sheryl E. Piros of Chana, IL., passed away Feb. 19, 2025, after a long illness. She was born Oct. 7, 1948, to Lorin and Phoebe (Gibson) Larson in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Sherry graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1966 and Blackburn College in 1970. She taught English to middle school students in Rochelle from 1970 to 1973, and, after...

Feb 18, 2025

Michael Joseph Wilson, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Rochelle Community Hospital.  He was born on October 11, 1947 in Oconto Falls, WI, the son of Warren and Bernadine (Oryall) Wilson.  Michael married Carol Leiskau on September 28, 1972, she preceded him in death on March 30, 2011.  He worked as a broadcaster in...