Memorials
The Class of 1974 remembers those we have lost over these last five decades. If you know of a classmate who has passed away who is not listed here, you can add a memorial with a photo and a link to an obituary by clicking the Create a Memorial button.
You can also write a tribute or leave your comments about those already listed on the page. (Approval may be required prior to publishing)
Paulette Amato Day
1956-04-04 2002-07-29Paulette 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...
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Gordon Beckman
2024-02-04
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 type...
Ray Beers
1956-03-02 2023-11-15
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-r...
Jon Blaha
1955-12-22 2015-02-11Jon 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.
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Mark David
1956-02-16 2017-05-21
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 Fr...
Richard "Rik" DeGunther
1956-04-13 2014-09-02
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 en...
Dawn DeWild Holm
1956-04-29 2005-01-18
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 Bato...
Charles Elliott
1956-07-13 2013-07-03Charles 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 mem...
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John William Ethington
1956-08-09 2014-01-06Died 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 &...
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Rebecca "Becky" Evans
1956-01-17 1972-02-16When 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.
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