Obituaries

McCloskey, Mary

MARY M. MCCLOSKEY, 95 ROCKFORD - Mary M. McCloskey, 95, of Rockford died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, in Alden Alma Nelson. Born Nov. 2, 1912, in Rockford, the daughter of Thomas and Jennie (Byers) Flannigan. Mary attended Rockford Public Schools and worked for Goldie Floberg Center. Married Fred "Mac" Smith McCloskey on Feb. 14, 1945, in Rockford. Mary and Mac enjoyed traveling and bowling together. She was a member of the Lady Elks and a 50-year member of the Moose. She was loved by all who met her. Survivors include friends, Mary Nichols, Delores Flanagan and Maxine Mellon, and all the friends at Skyrise Apartments. Thanks to the nurses and staff at Alma Nelson for the care they gave Mary. Memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave. Inurnment at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in Willwood Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Elk Crippled Children's Fund.

McIntosh, Howard

HOWARD CURTIS 'CURTY' MCINTOSH, 92 ROCKFORD - Howard Curtis "Curty" McIntosh, 92, of Rockford, passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, March 1, 2008, in the Health Center of Wesley Willows surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Edge-mont, S.D., May 26, 1915, the eldest son of Howard and Bertha (Graves) McIntosh. Howard graduated from Edgemont High School in 1933. He was the last surviving member of his class. From 1934 to 1935, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. He graduated from Huron College in 1939. Served in the Army Air Corp from 1942 to 1946, stationed at a B17 bomber base in Hobbs, N.M., and later became a part of the Air Transport Command. In 1944, he married Rosetta Jordan, of West Chicago, whom he met while she was teaching in his hometown of Edgemont. Their love affair grew into marriage that lasted for 63 years. Howard received his master's degree from Northern Illinois University in 1967. He taught school for 36 years. His first years of teaching were spent in Wood, S.D., then in Edgemont where he coached two undefeated football teams. He also taught in the Harlem School District for 11 years and 19 1/2 years at Lincoln Middle School in the Rockford School District before retiring in 1980. Howard was an avid sports enthusiast. He was captain of the Edgemont football team during his senior year of high school. He was also captain of the Huron College football team during his senior year. He maintained his interest in sports throughout his life. He enjoyed watching all high school sports and was especially joyous whenever the Cubs, Bears or Bulls won. He was a better than average golfer and enjoyed bowling. In recent years he relished playing pool and cards regularly with his friends at Wesley Willows. He enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, tending to his tomato and pepper plants and listening to country music. Howard was a 48-year member of Third Presbyterian Church, where he served several terms as deacon and elder and was active in fellowship clubs. He also was a member of the YMCA Retired Men's Club. For 10 years, Howard was a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society, driving patients to the hospital for treatments. Howard will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, kindness and gentleness. Survivors include his loving wife; children, David McIntosh of Amherst, Wis., Mary (Joseph) Gsell of Naperville and Phillip (Connie) McIntosh of Pecatonica; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Erik) Farnham of Missoula, Mont., and Joseph Matthew Gsell of Chicago; brother, Roy McIntosh of Tujunga, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brother, Dr. Charles Barron McIntosh and parents. Memorial service celebrating Howard's life will be conducted by Dr. Murray Hanson at 2 p.m. Friday, March 7, in Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, with visitation from 1 p.m. to time of service. Memorials may be made to Third Presbyterian Church, Severson Dells Nature Center or the Good Samaritan Fund of Wesley Willows. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family.  To see a copy of Howard's memorial program click here.

Pearson, Gerald

GERALD L. 'JERRY' PEARSON, 81 ROCKFORD - Gerald L. "Jerry" Pearson, 81, of Rockford, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, in Provena Cor Mariae Center. Born Jan. 9, 1927, in Rockford, the son of Axel and Ethel (Thompson) Pearson. Graduated from East High School in 1945, where he was a member of the reunion committee for several years. Member of the Headquarters Company of the Army occupational forces in Vienna, Austria, in 1945 and 1946. Jerry married Janette McCammant on Aug. 27, 1949, in Third Presbyterian Church. Employed by Barber- Coleman in the experimental textile division for 38 years. Formerly employed as an independent contractor at Gordon Bartels Co. Member of Third Presbyterian Church, where he generously gave of his time and energy as an elder and a trustee. Member of Loves Park Masonic Lodge No. 1145, Scottish Rite, Tebala Shriners, Rockford High Twelve and the Y Retired Men's Club. Jerry was devoted to his family and tremendously proud of his children. He was a hard worker and a very talented craftsman. He built both houses his family has enjoyed living in these past 58 years. Survived by wife, Janette; daughter, Dr. Andrea Pearson of Silver Spring, Md.; son, Dr. Charles Pearson of Rockford; brother, Robert G. (Anita) Pearson; nieces, Connie (Gary) Kuhls and Cathy (Jay) Larson, all of Rockford; and nephews, Paul Pearson of Wisconsin and Karl (Melissa) Pearson of Roscoe. Predeceased by parents, Axel and Ethel Pearson, and brother, Richard D. Pearson. Memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, in Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., visitation from 1 to 1:45 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Murray Hanson officiating. Memorials may be made to Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave., Rockford, IL 61103 or Shriner's Children's Hospital, Tebala Shrine Temple, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Arrangements by Olson Funeral and Cremation Services Ltd., 1001 Second Ave. To share a memory or send a private condolence, visit olsonfh.com.  To see a copy of Jerry's memorial program click here.

Schmig , Patricia

PATRICIA ANNE SCHMIG, 77 BELVIDERE - Patricia Anne Schmig, 77, of Belvidere died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, in SwedishAmerican Hospital after a long illness. Born Aug. 14, 1930, in Strongs Prairie, Wis., the daughter of Edward J. and Ella L. (Jensen) Crowley. She was married to Gale Schmig on Aug. 21, 1948, in Monroe Center, Wis. She is survived by daughters, Anne Bauer of Huntsville, Ala.; Linda (Terry) Mohaupt of Rockford; sons, Richard (Julie) Schmig, Mark Schmig of Belvidere; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Griffen, Nancy Goodwin and Shirley Mills; and brother, Edward (Rose) Crowley. Predeceased by parents; husband; and son, Paul. Service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in Whitbeck Chapel of First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Kopp officiating. Burial in Belvidere Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave. Memorials to American Lung Association or National Headache Foundation in her memory. To express condolences online, please visit buck buckwheelerhyland.com.