Deaths

Death notices for the far Stateline: Aug. 4, 2025

We remember those who are no longer with us in Roscoe, South Beloit, and Rockton.

Michael McGinnis

Aug 5, 2025 — 4 min read

Richard McDonald, Patricia Fitzgerald, Sally Jo Gowman, Shane Welte, Benjamin Harder, Randy Unter, Sherri Kulawinski, George Lengjak, Tammy Monreal, and Matthew Carey

With sadness, we announce the following deaths for Rockton, Roscoe, and South Beloit in recent weeks:

June 7, 2025:
Randy Unter, 80, Rockton
An entrepreneur at heart and a natural leader, he spent nearly four decades transforming healthcare organizations. He often dreamed of one day owning a small yacht off the coast of Florida.

July 2, 2025:
Carolyn Bottger, 86, Rockton
She lived on Kocher Street.

July 6, 2025:
Penny Mangrum, 65, Roscoe
She lived on Bayberry Drive.

July 12, 2025:
Fred L. Dunaway, 78, South Beloit

July 14, 2025:
Matthew P. Carey, 33, Rockton
In the Air Force, he served as a crew chief and OSI Special Agent, deployed to Afghanistan, Africa, and elsewhere. He was also a paramedic, personal trainer, and volunteer firefighter.

July 16, 2025:
Benjamin Harder, 97, South Beloit
Born in Switzerland, he was a home delivery milkman for over 50 years. He was active in his church, the South Beloit Businessman's Association, and the South Beloit American Legion. He was past president of the South Beloit Lions Club.

July 18, 2025:
Sherri Kulawinski, 70, Rockton
She taught school for more than 35 years, retiring in 2012 from Whitman Post Elementary School. She then taught English as a second language to adults.

July 20, 2025:
Mike Cram, 78, Roscoe
He became a captain in the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. He had a special fondness for Corvettes and had been a disc jockey in his younger years.

July 21, 2025:
Patricia Fitzgerald, 97, South Beloit
She walked to a one room elementary school in the 1930's. She was strong, independent, and always busy. She loved her yard, flowers, gardening, and mowing her lawn on her Cub Cadet tractor. Her greatest joy was time spent with family.

July 22, 2025:
Joe Sharp, 75, Rockton
He was always available to go to a car show. His special interest in karate brought him his wife and a sixth dan black belt.

July 25, 2025:
Shane J. Welte, 37, Rockton
He met his wife at the Indoor Sports Center, where he actually met his wife. He found his passion for carpentry while working at Sonco Pools and started Welte Remodeling and Construction.

Tammy Monreal, 58, South Beloit
Originally from Anaheim, California, she loved to crochet, cook and decorate, and loved to be with family and friends.

July 29, 2025:
Sally Jo Gowman, 87, South Beloit
A 1956 South Beloit High School graduate. she enjoyed lunch with classmates each month. She worked for Beloit Corporation for over 40 years and was a volunteer for Beloit Memorial Hospital for 20 years.

July 30, 2025:
George W. Lengjak, 89, Roscoe
He served in the Army during the Korean War and proudly attended Vets Roll in 2014. He spent 25 years as a member of Laborers Local 1440, and another 25 years as its Business Agent.

July 31, 2025:
Richard McDonald, 90, Roscoe
With his twin brother, he was drafted into the Army in 1957 and worked at the family Shell station until his retirement.