Birth Date: 1956-04-04

Deceased Date: 2002-07-29

Obituary:
Paulette Louise (Amato) DAY Passed away suddenly on July 29, 2002, at her home in Everett. Her husband, Steven Day, was at her side. Born in Inglewood, CA. on April 4, 1956, she was 46 years of age. Paulette graduated from high school and nursing school in Rockford, Illinois. She was employed by Virginia Mason Hospital as Utilization Coordinator. She enjoyed crafts, especially ceramics. Beloved by all her family and friends, Paulette was always there when you needed her and always with a smile and a loving heart. She is survived by her husband Steven Day; her sister Denise Showalter of Danville, CA.; three brothers James, Vincent and Paul (Jay) Amato, all of Orange County, CA.; father-in-law Herb Day; mother-in-law Marilyn Day; brothers-in-law Richard Day of Granite Falls, WA., Michael Day of Florida, and Woody Showalter of California; sisters-in-law Suzanne Day, Glynis Day, Wendy Day and Amanda Amato; nieces and nephews Kristi Showalter of Danville, CA., Genesis Day, Zachary Day, Mikayla Day, Natalie Day, Tiannah Day, Annessa Day of Monroe, WA., Paige Day, Joshua Day and Bethany Day of Arizona, Christopher Day and Chandler Day of Florida; and godchildren Cherie Truncer of Seattle, WA. and Jared Woods and Megan Woods of Arizona. Paulette was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Magdalena Amato, and a nephew, Anthony Showalter.

Deceased Date: 2024-02-04

Obituary:
Gordon Roger Beckman, 67, architect, father, husband, music lover and all-around great guy died peacefully at home in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood on Sunday February 4, 2024. He was surrounded by a family who adored him, including his wife Mia and daughter Ana. His memory will be eternal.
Born in Rockford, Illinois, Gordon graduated from Guilford High School and then headed west to Montana State University in Boseman for a spell. He returned to the Midwest and earned his architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee, where he studied in Paris and London. Gordon built a distinguished career working nationally and internationally on a broad range of building types including commercial, civic, transportation, and mixed-use developments since 1973. His work reflected his ongoing interest in, and examination of, the interdisciplinary connections that structure, technology, environmental concerns, and transparency play in next-generation architectural thought.
His recent work as Principal/Sr. Vice President Director of Design at John Portman & Associates in Atlanta reflected these values and ideas. Prior to joining Portman in May 2007, Mr. Beckman worked 23 years for Murphy/Jahn as a Senior Vice President/Principal Architect, leading some of the firm's most recognized projects including Charlemagne in Brussels, Belgium; the Serono Corporate Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland; Bishopgate Town in London, England; and HALO Corporate Headquarters in Niles, Illinois. In addition to his tenure at Murphy/Jahn, Mr. Beckman's professional experience includes Kahler Slater Engberg in Milwaukee and Larson & Darby in Rockford, Illinois. Mr. Beckman also taught for the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee and the Illinois Institute of Technology, and participated in numerous design reviews and juries at several universities. He has been recognized by the AIA and awarded the AIA Henry Adams Medal.
Above all, Gordon was the guy everyone wanted to know. Gordon loved attending rock shows, all things water, and traveling the world. He spent many weekends fishing with his brother-in-law and friends in the northern woods. His love of good food, drink, and music were diverse. On a random Friday night in Chicago, one could find him nursing a gin and tonic at Inn Joy on Division Street or pouring a glass of wine at Chicago's Millenium Park, listening to the Lyric Opera. His outstanding career was only outshone by his glorious family.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 16 years, Amelia "Mia" Tatic Beckman. Together, Gordon and Mia were blessed to have daughter Ana Clara Beckman. Gordon was also the adoring father of Alexander (Becca Cohen) Beckman, Olivia Marie Beckman, and very proud grandfather ("Pops") of Henry Alexander Beckman; he is also survived by his brother, Gary Beckman, of Whitewater, WI. Gordon was the son of the late Roger Clarence Beckman and Virgene Rainwater Beckman. Gordon will be especially missed by the entire Tatic and Ivanisevic families, along with his faithful companion- Pepper the cat. Gordon was the former spouse of Elizabeth Kidera.

Birth Date: 1956-03-02

Deceased Date: 2023-11-15

Obituary:
Just past 4:00 AM November 15, 2023, our dear brother “Chip” (a family name of endearment), aged 67, died from the ravages of cancer.

Ray Franklin was born March 2, 1956 in Oak Park, IL. He was the beloved son of Dr. Ray F. Beers, Jr. and Virginia Walker Beers, the much loved brother to Teresa Mesich (James), Kathleen Hatfield (Joseph – deceased), Ellen Gradishar (Rudolph), and Kevin Beers (Kim).

Ray grew up in Rockford, living there most of his life. He graduated from Guilford High School and attended Illinois State University and Rock Valley College. He worked in the Rockford industrial complex before purchasing his own business, E & B Windows. He was a well-read man welcoming challenging books on most any subject, especially history and biographies. A lifelong camper, Chip loved the outdoors, particularly winter camping with his cherished dogs Buddy and Barney. He and his brother Kevin hiked the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail together in 1990.

He was a wonderful brother to his siblings and brothers-in-law and an adored uncle to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, surprising them with extravagant Christmas gifts. His kindness and generosity to others were the cornerstones of his personality. He would help anyone who needed help, while never asking for help in return. He will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to know him.

Birth Date: 1955-12-22

Deceased Date: 2015-02-11

Obituary:
Jon C. Blaha, 59, of Rockford, died on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in his home, with his loving wife Candace, and his best friend Jeff Starr, by his side. He was born on December 22, 1955, son of Richard and Eleanor (Johnson) Blaha. Jon married his wife, in Chicago, IL, on September 7, 1990. He was a graduate of Guilford High School, and spent many years employed at Columbia Audio Video. Jon and Candace spent a number of years in Palm Harbor, FL; where they owned Audio Video Odyssey Inc.

Birth Date: 1956-02-16

Deceased Date: 2017-05-21

Obituary:
Mark A. David 1956—2017
Mark A. David, 61, of Freeport, died Sunday, May 21, 2017, in his home from ALS. Mark was born February 16, 1956, in Rockford, the son of Raymond and Alma (DuPee) David. He married Teresa Kuntzelman May 1, 1982, in Freeport. Mark was a respiratory therapist at Freeport Memorial Hospital. He was always known as a hard worker who loved his job and being around all of his co-workers. Mark enjoyed Westerns especially ones featuring Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. He was an excellent craftsman, anything that involved using his hands or construction work was no problem for Mark. He loved animals, with deer being his favorite. Surviving are his wife, Teresa David of Freeport; daughters, Heather (Thomas) Wright and Melissa David (Christopher Mitchell), both of Freeport; brothers, Joseph (Bonnie) David of Cherry Valley and Gregory (Patricia) David of Roscoe; sister, Patricia (Donald) Anderson of Cherry Valley; and five grandchildren, Jullian, Lyla, Sydney, Giddeon, and Salem. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Judith Ann David.

Birth Date: 1956-04-13

Deceased Date: 2014-09-02

Obituary:
April 13, 1956 — Sept. 2, 2014

It is with great sadness that family and friends mourn the passing of Richard “Rik” DeGunther Jr. of Rescue, Calif. He is survived by his wife, Katie; son, Erik; and daughter, Ally.

Rik was an incredibly gifted mechanical and electrical engineer with a master’s degree in physics from Stanford University. He held patents on inventions that most of us couldn’t pronounce, let alone explain. He was an accomplished musician, carpenter, goat farmer as a hobby with his children, and an avid golfer. He was a published author of books on solar power, energy efficiency and golf. He wrote a regular column in the Mountain Democrat, where he enjoyed skewering both partisan ends of the political spectrum.

Rik was a quirky genius type whose quick wit and dry sense of humor could just as easily offend as entertain. Most importantly he was a loving husband, father, son, uncle and brother. He will be missed by many. He was born and raised in Rockford, Ill., where his mother, Betty and father, Richard “Dick” Sr., lived until Dick’s passing many years ago. Rik is survived by his mother, Betty; his sisters, Connie, Vickie, Betsy and Sara; his bothers, Jim and David; and many other Midwest relatives who will all miss him terribly. He is also survived by Katie’s mother, Marcia; sister, Kim; bother, Brad; numerous nieces; and nephew, Joey, who he always had a special bond with.

Birth Date: 1956-04-29

Deceased Date: 2005-01-18

Obituary:
Dawn Marie Holm, 48, of Rockford, died Jan. 18, 2005. Daughter of Charles and Doris Smith De Wild. Married to Mark Holm; mother of Elizabeth.
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Dawn Marie (DeWild) Holm, 48 of Rockford and formerly of Plainfield, died Tuesday, January 18th after a lifelong battle with juvenile diabetes and its complications. She was born April 29, 1956 in Clinton Iowa. She was the "favorite-youngest" daughter of Chuck and Doris DeWild of Rockford.
Dawn, along with her sisters, competed nationally in baton twirling in her younger years. Dawn was also an accomplished gymnast. She was a member of the DeWild's Thunderbolts Baton Corps., The Patriots Twirling Corps., and the Freedom Four Baton Team. While living in Plainfield, she taught baton and was the Director of Dawn's Twirling Diamonds Baton Corps. After moving back to Rockford, Dawn enjoyed coaching gymnastics and cheerleading. She loved and cared for her dogs, and loved riding her horses.
Dawn married Mark Holm on April 23, 1977. She is survived by her husband, her daughter Elizabeth, her parents and sisters DeeDee (Jim) Thompson of Lake Tomahawk, WI, Dodee (Tom) Brooks of Aurora, and Debbie (Mark) Whitfield of Rockford, and their children.

Birth Date: 1956-07-13

Deceased Date: 2013-07-03

Obituary:
Charles R. Elliott, 56, of Rockford, departed this life at 9:14 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2013, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born July 13, 1956, in Decatur, Ill.; the son of Sherman E. and Julianne (Chappel) Elliott. Graduate of Rockford College and attended Southern Illinois University. Most recently, Charlie was a medical reserve corps coordinator for the Winnebago County Health Department. He also worked in sales, real estate, private investigation and when he was younger for the Rockford Park District and Winnebago County Forest Preserve District. Charlie was a member of St. Bridget Catholic Church, was a volunteer for United Way, and On The Waterfront and served as an area Board member for the American Heart Association. He played the drums in several bands in Rockford, Carbondale, and the Chicago area, most notably, "Almost True", and enjoyed scuba diving and underwater photography. Charlie was devoted to his kids, family, and friends, and encouraged and supported his children"s activities and sporting events. Charlie"s caring and kindness touched many. He is survived by his children, Sam, Maura, and Katie; mother, Julianne Elliott; siblings, Kathleen Elliott and James (Michele) Elliott; his uncle and aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by his father, Sherman in 2012. The family would like to give a special thanks to all the friends who have been so kind to Charlie, Sam, Maura, and Katie during his illness. Your support means everything to us.

Birth Date: 1956-08-09

Deceased Date: 2014-01-06

Obituary:
Died suddenly on Monday, January 6, 2014. Born August 9, 1956 in Rockford, Illinois, son of James and Marion Ethington. Loving husband of Karen (nee Gummerus) for nearly 30 years, and dear father of Sarah and Katie. Beloved brother of Julie (Ralph) Marison, Dr. James (Cynthia) Ethington, Dr. Jan (Sue) Ethington, and Joseph (Cathy) Ethington. Preceded in death by his parents, James and Marion Ethington. John graduated from Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Fairbault, MN in 1974. He earned his B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from Carthage College in 1978 and his M.S. in Taxation from UW-Milwaukee in 1981. He was a CPA and CFP. John was a Senior Vice President with Robert W. Baird & Co., and was previously with Piper Jaffray/UBS Wealth Management and Smith Barney. Prior to his investment career, John practiced as a CPA with Ernst & Young in Milwaukee and Coopers & Lybrand in Rockford where he met his wife Karen. They were married in 1984. He was a member of Fox Point Lutheran Church. He enjoyed vacatiioning in Eagle River, WI and Naples, FL, taking cruises with his family, spending time with his gourmet group friends, his friends and colleagues at Baird

Birth Date: 1956-01-17

Deceased Date: 1972-02-16

Obituary:
When Rebecca Lynn 'Becky' Evans was born on 17 January 1956, in New Milford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States, her father, John Willis Evans, was 23 and her mother, Dorothy Frantz, was 20. She died on 16 February 1972, in her hometown, at the age of 16, and was buried in New Milford Cemetery, New Milford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States.