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)
Jeffrey Orput
1956-07-16 2023-06-26
Jeffrey A. Orput, 66, of Rockford, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023. He was born July 16, 1956 in Munich, Germany and was the son of Alden E. and Joanne M. (Adamson) Orput. He graduated with a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Illinois. Jeffrey married Debbie Stukenberg on September 8, 2002.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Debbie; children, Alexandra (Francis) Orput Souhala, James "Max" Orput, and Chris (Rene'e) Chuchna; grandsons, Quentin and Zander; mother, Joanne; siblings, Kimberly (SL) van der Zanden and Gregory (Cristen) Orput; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Alden E. Orput (2014) and sister, Deanne Orput-Parker (2018).
Jeff was...
Dale Palmgren
1956-12-19 2022-02-06Dale Palmgren, 65, of Chandler, AZ, passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Born December 19, 1956, in Rockford, the son of Earl and Arlene (Bladstrom) Palmgren. A joyous laugh that could fill a room. We celebrate the life of Dale Palmgren and his journey to heaven. He is remembered by family and dear friends for a life well lived. Dale graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a PHD in Mechanical Engineering. Dale moved to Arizona where he started his extensive and distinguished career at Arizona State University in 1984 as a professor. During his 30 years at ASU, he held different academic and administrative positions including Chair, Department of Manufacturing and Aerona...
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Deanne Peckham Wisocki
1956-08-27 2024-05-13
Deanne L. Wisocki, 67, of Machesney Park, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024 at River Bluff after a short battle with cancer. Born August 27, 1956 in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Deane and Barbara Peckham. Attended Guilford High School class of 1974, and was a proud member of the Phantom Regiment Color Guard. Deanne spent 35 years working at Barber Colman-Schneider Electric, where she met the love of her life, Daniel Wisocki. They were married on May 19, 1984 in Rockford, IL. She loved spending time with her granddaughters, summer nights with her husband and family, working out, and playing with her dog, Maci.
Family was Deanne's greatest joy in life. She was a loving wife, mother,...
Linda Perry Green
1955-11-13 2022-05-02Linda D. Green, 66, of Machesney Park, passed away Monday, May 2, 2022 at Javon Bea Hospital. She was born on November 13, 1955, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the daughter of James and Bonnie Jean (Loyd) Perry. She graduated from Guilford High School in 1974. Linda married Bradford "Brad" Green on February 15, 1975, at St. John's United Methodist Church in Rockford. She worked as office managementfor All American Kitchen, as well as many other contracting companies, and she retired in September of 2019. Linda enjoyed gardening, scrapbooking and collecting pictures. She loved Tweetie, hosting holidays with her family, and attending her grandson's sporting events. She was a devoted wife, loving...
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David Persinger
1955-12-12 1978-10-05
David J Persinger,22, died shortly at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct 5, 1978, in his home. Born Dec 12, 1955 in Rockford, son of Charles and Jean Persinger. Graduated from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL May 20, 1978. Employed as sales trainee by J.D. Mott, Inc. Member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Richard, Milwaukee, WI and John, Rockford; his maternal grandmother, Loretta Higgins, Harvard; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Burial in Calvary Cemetery.
Karen Price Grant
1956-10-24 1995-06-10Karen Price Grant, 38, beloved wife of Lynroy Grant, died Saturday, June 10, 1995, at Hartford CT Hospital after a courageous struggle against lymphoma. Born Oct 24, 1956, in Omaha, NE. She took her BA degree from Wesleyan University in 1978 before studying law at Cornell University, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1981. Employed at Aetna Life & Casualty Co. Department of Law and Regulatory Affairs. Also vice president on board of directors of Hartford Chapter of the American Corporate Association, an advisory member of the Connecticut Law Firm Group on Minority Hiring and Retention and on board of directors of George W Crawford Law Association. At Immanuel Congregational Church, she w...
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Jody Puricelli Jungerberg
1956-06-25 2020-06-23
Jody (Puricelli) Jungerberg 1956—2020
Jody (Puricelli) Jungerberg, 63, of Rockford, passed away unexpectedly in her home Tuesday, June 23, 2020. She was born on June 25, 1956 in Rockford to Rudolph and Betty (Johnson) Puricelli. Jody was a life long resident of Rockford and a graduate of Guilford High School, Rockford University and NIU. Her career was spent in the financial service industry. Jody had a passion for animals and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her daughters, Erin (Andrew) Jury and their children, Claire and Sawyer and Megan (Rick) Wiley and their children, Tripp and Teagan; brother, Jack (Lori) Puricelli and their children, Adam and Taylor...
Ellen Scheidegger Rice
1956-12-23 2009-06-17
Ellen Denise Rice, died June 17, 2009.
Ellen was born Dec. 23, 1956, in Rockford, Ill., the daughter of Patricia Scheidegger of Hampton, and the late Ethan Scheidegger. A beloved wife and mother she enjoyed her role as a “Navy Wife.” Her greatest love was sharing the joy of a life with Christ with any and everyone, but especially children. As the advancement of Multiple Sclerosis prevented her from leading Backyard Bible Clubs, she never lost her desire to pray for others.
In addition to her loving husband, Paul, to whom she was married for more than 18 years, Ellen leaves four adoring children, David Medley and his wife, Carrie of Rochester, N.Y.; Aaron Medley and his...
Kathy Shugart Galvin
1956-12-17 2017-06-12Kathryn Shugart Galvin, 60, formerly of Rockford, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 in New York. She was born December 17, 1956, in Chicago, IL; the daughter of John and Nancy (Schmeling) Shugart. Kathryn grew up in Rockford. Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, she attended Rockford schools. After graduating from the Art Institute in Chicago, she spent one year in Paris. She moved to New York in 1980 and worked as a fashion designer for Mary McFadden and several other clothing manufacturers and menswear companies. Kathryn worked as a bookkeeper for several companies in recent years. In 2014, Kathryn moved to Florida with the love of her life, David Casson. He predeceased her in 2015. Foll...
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Robin Smithson
1956-04-14 2013-08-20Robin K Smithson,57, of West Bend, died Tuesday August 20, 2013 at his residence. Burial of cremains will be in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove.
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