Stephen J. Forsythe

Stephen John Forsythe, of Rockford & Mackinaw, IL, passed away peacefully, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Stephen was born on September 15, 1953, in Chicago, IL to Gerald Franklin Forsythe (deceased) and Joyce Alice Mary Sutherland (deceased). He was the youngest of 3 siblings: Marlene Schultz (deceased) and Jo Ferroli. Stephen was blessed to marry his high school sweetheart Patricia Krupa, September 17, 1974, at Saint Pancratius Church in Chicago. Celebrating 51 years of marriage together blessed them with 3 beautiful children, Ryan Forsythe (deceased), Patrick Forsythe (daughter-in-law Nicole), and Leah Ticknor (son-in-law Grant) which blessed them with 6 beautiful grandchildren: Reid Ticknor (17), Conner Forsythe (16), Landen Forsythe (16), Brynn Ticknor (14), Gavin Forsythe (12), and Emerie Ticknor (10). Stephen was honored to have 1 sister-in-law (Roseann O’Brien) 3 brothers-in-law (Ken O’Brien, Lou Ferroli and Richard Schulz) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins which he loved dearly.

Stephen taught Industrial Arts at Central Catholic High School in Bloomington, IL for 2 years, went on to Eureka Vacuum Company as the Prototype Model Maker for 27 years and finished his career serving the community through making the best cheeseburgers and ice cream cones as the owner of J&J Drive-Inn in Mackinaw IL. He was an elder, board chair, youth leader, Sunday school teacher for 7th & 8th graders, and worship soloist at Mackinaw Christian throughout his 34 years of being a member. In 2020, Stephen and Patricia decided to move to Rockford to be closer to family. For the past 5 years they have been members of the Bethesda Church family.

God blessed Stephen with talented hands. He built 3 amazing houses that became homes for many who visited. Stephen loved spending time in his workshop tinkering around building furniture, quilt racks, shelves, cars for Mitsubishi and the last couple of years he loved refurbishing old clocks. He had a love for red Corvettes, art, movies, books, dogs, but his greatest loves were God and his family.

Stephen was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia Syndrome (MDS) which is a rare blood cancer in 2023. He fought through a stem cell transplant in 2024 and many rounds of chemo. During this time, he was surrounded by amazing caregivers at Northwestern Chicago and Northwestern Cancer Center in Dekalb. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made in memory of Stephen to The MDS Foundation (228 Park Ave S, PMB 118983 New York, New York 10003-1502) or Bethesda Church.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00am (Greeting time with Family) 11:00am (Service), Lunch (12:00pm) at Bethesda Church located at 2101 East State Street, Rockford, IL.