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)
MerriLee Gale
1956-11-16 1973-04-17
MerriLee Gale, 16, daughter of Mr and Mrs Donald T Gale, died Tuesday at 8:40 p.m. in Rockford Memorial Hospital of injuries received in an automobile-train crash. A junior at Guilford High School, she lived her entire life in Rockford. Surviving are her parents: a sister, Kris, and three brothers, Mark, Toby and Kip,, all at home; her paternal grandparents, Mr and Mrs Delmar Gale, Rockford; her maternal grandparents, Mr and Mrs Victor Bauer, Brodhead, WI and Mr and Mrs Armato, Rockford; and aunts uncles, and nieces.
Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Rockford.
Gregory Gay
1955-08-04 2021-10-28
Gregory F. Gay passed away on 10/28/2021 after a long illness. He was a graduate of Guilford High School in 1974. Greg had many interests in life including photography and flying small airplanes in his younger years. Greg enjoyed the outdoors and nature and right after high school graduation he planned, packed up and drove to Colorado with his best friend, a road trip that was quite an adventure at that age and time, and took beautiful photographs along the way. Greg’s favorite passion throughout his life was listening to his large collection of vinyl classic rock albums. Greg worked side-by-side with his father for many years at Frank Gay’s Marquee.
Greg is survived by his l...
Felicia Gayle Picus
1956-02-06 1998-08-11Lisha Gayle was killed in her home in St Louis, MO, on Tuesday,, Aug. 11, 1998. She was born Feb 6, 1956, in Rockford, the daughter of G.W. "Wally" and Veronica "Bunkie"(Bunk) Gayle. She was married on Sept 21, 1979, to Dr Daniel Picus, who heads the intervention radiology dept. at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. Lisha and Dan first met at Bloom Elementary School and started dating in high school. She graduated from Guilford High in 1974 and spoke at the commencement ceremonies. Her various activities created many enduring friendships which she dearly maintained. Lisha graduated from the University of Illinois School of Journalism and was an intern at Illinois State Journal newspap...
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Mitchell Gianesin
1955-01-24 2019-07-25
ROCKFORD – Mitchell Gregory Gianesin, age 64, of Rockford passed away Thursday July 25, 2019. Born in Rockford to Louis Antonio & Laura Lee Gianesin (Piner). A proud Union Pipe-fitter, Mitchell enjoyed history, sitting down with a good book and spending time with his children & grandchildren. Beloved father, grandfather, brother and dear friend; he will remain in our hearts forever.
He is survived by his children, Melinda (Wayne) Sanders, Erica (fiancé Del Clover) Gianesin and Don Gianesin; grandchildren, Justyce, Michael & Savannah Allison, Alabama Gianesin, Alicen Sander and Dustin & Dustiny Sanders; siblings, Kathleen (James) Devenney and Daniel (Susan) Gianesin; niece & ne...
Elena Goomas Breit
1956-06-16 1992-11-03Elena N Goomas Breit, 36, Rockford, died Tuesday, Nov 3, 1992, in her home following a sudden illness. Born June 16,1956, in Rockford, daughter of James and Nora Carafotias Goomas. Married Jerry E Breit in Rockford, Sept 5, 1987. Member of Saints, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. A 1974 Graduate of Guilford HIgh School, where she was a member of National Honor Society. Graduated from Rock Valley College in 1976; honor graduate of Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL in1978. Survivor; her husband, Jerry Breit, Rockford; parents, James and Nora Goomas, Rockford; mother- and father-in-law, John and Mary Breit, CA; maternal grandmother, Helen Cary Carafotias, Rockford; one sister...
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Thomas Grandstaff
1956-07-02 2001-10-03Burial in Mound City National Cememtery, Mound City, IL
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Kathy Griffin Gulbrantson
2004-02-19
Kathy Gulbrantson, 49, of Rockford passed away in her sleep while in University Hospital, Edmonton, Canada, on Feb 19, 2004. Born in Woodstock, duaghter of Dick and Gladys Griffin. She spent her formative years with her family in Rockford. Kathy graduated from Guilford High School in 1974 and worked at Marion Health and Safety for a number of years. She married Kent in 1977, and they soon moved to Winnipeg and were employed by Winnipeg Photo Ltd, where the Winnipeg Photo "family" was a big part of her life.
Kathy was a spirited, unique individual who was genuinely outgoing and the first to befriend eveyone she met. Few were aware of the complexity of her lifelong heart condition...
David Gutru
1956-07-07 2004-06-25David Gutru Born July 7, 1956 in Denver, Colorado. Entered into rest on June 25, 2004 in Concord, California at the age of 47. David attended Rockford schools. He then went on to attend the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1978 receiving his BS Degree in Ornamental Horticulture. David then moved to California and was a resident of the Bay Area for the last 25 years, most recently living in Concord, California. David is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Janet Lavy-Gutru; son, Bill Lavy; son-in-law, John Rice; daughter, Jennie Lavy; grandchildren, Raider and Gregory, who he adored. David leaves parents, Phyllis and John Larson, Dick and Beverly Gutru; brothers, Michael and D...
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Peter Harnois
1956-03-04 2024-12-25
Peter Trefle Harnois, DDS, age 68, resident of Burr Ridge, IL, passed away suddenly of natural causes on December 25, 2024.
Dr. Harnois practiced dentistry in the Hinsdale community for over 40 years. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan, he was a much-loved member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and a Hall of Fame swimmer. He went on to graduate from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. He was a superior clinical and cosmetic practitioner dedicated to his patients’ health, happiness, and confidence. Through his local practice, he touched the lives of countless patients and gave them new opportunities through their dental health and smiles.
He lecture...
Dean Hinueber
1955-12-23 2014-10-18DEAN ROBERT HINUEBER, 58 MACHESNEY PARK - Dean Robert Hinueber, 58, of Machesney Park, IL, entered eternal life on Saturday October 18, 2014 after a five year battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of twenty-four years, Lori; daughter, Anna Leigh; son, Joseph Dean; brother, Paul (Jackie) Hinueber of Mount Prospect, IL; sister, Kay Nordmark of Chandler, AZ; sister-in-law, Lana (Scott) Harker of Pecatonica, IL; brother-in-law, Ryan Roberson of Davenport, IA, mother-in-law, Jean Dunn (Dominic Negri) and father-in-law, Harold Roberson, nieces, Kristin (Brian Buciak), Jessi and Alli Harker, Sara (Tyler) Carnett; nephews, Steve (Valerie) Duenser, Scott (Sheri) Duenser, Jason (Celia) Nordma...
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