Michael Craddick Dies Just Before Christmas at 79
(posted 12/22/20) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS - Classmate Michael Kenneth Craddick died December 21, 2020 at the age of 79.
Mike attended St. Marys elementary school, Roosevelt Junior High, and graduated from West. He was very much involved with ROTC in all years of Junior and High school although it does not appear that he was in the Military after high school.
Per Mike’s wishes, there will be no services.
See his obituary for more information.
Robert Sanders has died at 81
(posted 12/1/20) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS - Classmate Robert Stewart Sanders died November 25, 2020 at the age of 81.
Robert came to Rockford from New Albany, MS and attended West High for all three years graduating in 1959.
Moving visitation will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. Private services will be held 12:00 noon and may be viewed via our Face Book page.
See his obituary for more information.
Husband of Norma Johnson Passed Away at Age 80
(posted 12/1/20) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — John "Jack" W. Lucas, husband of classmate Norma (Johnson) Lucas, died October 21, 2020. They were married for 60 years.
Memorial visitation will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory can be made to Alpine Lutheran Church 5001 Forest View, Rockford IL 61108.
See his obituary for more information.
Patricia Hoffman died at the age of 79
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(posted 10/5/20) MACHESNEY PARK, ILLINOIS - Classmate Patricia Ann Hoffman (Mandera) died October 1, 2020 after a brief illness. She was 79.
Her husband George Mandera predeceased her Dec 12, 2012 at the age of 75. They had been married for 55 years.
Private graveside service. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park. A get-together will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020, at noon for family and friends at Patricia’s residence. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.
Patricia attended Roosevelt Junior High and then it appears that she was married during or shortly after her Sophomore year at West as they were married Oct 19, 1957.
See her obituary for additional information and also the obituary of her husband George Mandera.
Sandra Nelson had died in 2016 at the age of 75
(posted 9/30/20) ASHLAND, MISSISSIPPI - It was recently discovered that classmate Sandra Lee Nelson (Mellenthin) had died March 29, 2016 at the age of 75. She was last at a Health and Rehab Center in Holly Springs, Mississippi evidently to be near her daughter Sherri Briggs who lives in nearby Snow Lake Shores.
Her husband Dale Mellenthin died June 12, 2012. His obituary can be found in the archives of this website posted on June 14, 2012.
Sandra attended Roosevelt Junior High with many of us and then graduated from West in 1959. Over the years she has attended several class reunons with the most recent photos appended to her obituary along with other information.
Husband of Sanchia Bruer Passed Away at Age 89
(posted 9/24/20) SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA — We recently learned that Robert James Mazza, husband of classmate Sanchia Ann (Bruer) Mazza, died April 13, 2019 at the age of 89. they had been married for 32 years. He left 5 children, 3 grandchildren, and 4 greatgrandchildren.
See his obituary for more information.
Marilynn Tunison Lost from Cancer in June 2019
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(posted 9/19/20) CARBONDALE, COLORADO - Classmate Marilynn Roberta Tunison (Cook) died June 30, 2019 at the age of 78 after a three-year battle with cancer. She has been in Colorado since 1987.
She leaves three children and a granddaughter.
Marilynn (as we knew her she spelled her name Marilynn with two "n"s) attended Roosevelt Junior High and then graduated from West in 1959.
See her obituary for more information.
Bunny Beckovich Visits Friends in Rockford
(posted 9/16/20) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS - Janice "Bunny" (Beckovich) Cook who lives in Cookeville, TN was visiting Rockford recently and managed to get together with some close friends from the class of 59 for Lunch. They all removed their Covid-19 masks long enough to pose for the photo shown below.
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Front row: Rosanne (Cuppini) Hemmens, Marion (Nardiello) Licari
Back row: Mary Lou (Spinello) White, Mary Ann (Cacciatore) Vincent, Janice “Bunny” (Beckovish) Cook, Marion (Cassioppi) Ginestra, Ginny (Bufalo) Harezlak, Gloria (Mortellaro) Gustafson (East High)
Tommie Sue Adams Died in May at the age of 79
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(posted 9/13/20) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - Classmate Tommie Sue (Maxwell) Adams died May 15, 2020 at the age of 79. She had been on the missing list since graduation until she found us in April of 2013. Evidently her interest in genealogy research led her to our website.
Sue, as she likes to be called, was widowed in 2001 after being married for 37 years to Monte S. Maxwell. She has two sons.
She attended Roosevelt Junior High and then graduated from West in 1959.
See her obituary for more information.
Earlynne Morris Passes from Cancer at 79
(posted 8/2/20) PECATONICA, ILLINOIS - Classmate Earlynne Marion (Morris) Desmond died July 31, 2020 at the age of 79. She had a rare form of liver cancer and has been on chemo for a long time.
Earlynne has attended countless reunions over the years and has been a constant class contributor serving on the reunion committee and as moderator for our Yahoo Groups chat room.
She attended Church Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High and then graduated from West in 1959.
Earlynne lost her husband Dan Desmond who died from a stroke January 27, 2013. They were married for 53 years. You can see his obituary in our archives posted January 29, 2013.
Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N Rockton Ave. Please wear mask and practice social distancing. Funeral services and burial will be private. If you would like to share online condolences please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
See her obituary for more information.