Jeannine Eva Fitzgerald

Jeannine Eva Fitzgerald, 94 years, of Janesville, WI, died peacefully on March 16, 2026 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Jeannine was born October 19, 1931in Freeport, IL to Max and Esther (Mathias) Good. Jeannine graduated from Geneseo High School, Geneseo, IL in 1949, where she met the love of her life.

She married William” Bill” Thomas Fitzgerald, Jr. on March 11, 1951 in Santa Cruz, CA. Jeannine moved to Stillman Valley, IL in 1952 where she and Bill raised four children: Cathy (Brian) Lawrence of Phoenix, AZ, Elizabeth (Bill) Hoelting, of Rockford, IL, Steven (Kathy) Fitzgerald of Normal, IL, Jane (Chuck) Chavka of Hickory, NC. Jeannine and Bill moved to Cedar Rapids, IA in 1963 and then to Rockford, Il in 1965 due to Bill’s work transfers with Smith Oil Corporation. In 1976, Jeannine and Bill moved to Janesville, Wi and resided on Ruger Ave. for 48 yrs. before moving to Oak Park Place in 2024.

After high school, Jeannine was employed as a telephone operator in Geneseo, IL and in Santa Cruz, CA. She was a homemaker for many years and then became a bank teller for Alpine Bank and First Federal Credit Union in Rockford, IL and Johnson Bank in Janesville, WI. until retirement.

Jeannine’s passion was music. She was a proficient pianist and organist playing in high school musicals, in church, and community events. Her love of music was nurtured by her father, Max Good, who took her to Big Band concerts in the Tri-State area when she was a young girl.

Jeannine was an avid gardener who harvested and “put up” vegetables for many years. She was a member of the Janesville Garden Club. Other past times were embroidery where she created many family heirlooms, as well as reading, and watching old movies.

Jeannine was a member of First Congregational Church in Janesville for 42 years. She serviced on church committees, attended Bible Study, recounted the Sunday collection and prepared the weekly bank deposits. Jeannine also volunteered in the community to deliver Meals on Wheels, serve breakfast at Wilson School and read with the children, and read to a blind neighbor.

Jeannine is survived by her husband Bill, married for 75 years, as well as her four children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and a great -grandson due in June, in addition her brother James Good of Ruther Glen, VA.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Congregational Church 54 S. Jackson St, Janesville, WI at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026. Interment will be held Friday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo, IL for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First Congregational Church UCC in Janesville, WI and Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Henke-Clarson Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.henkeclarson.com.