LT. KELLI INGARDONA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP | Division Chief Matthew Knott & LoRayne Logan

Contact: Division Chief Matthew Knott & Ms. LoRayne Logan

Lt. Kelli Ingardona, will be remembered for her hard work as a Rockford firefighter and her devotion to being a wife and mother. Ingardona, 45, died of breast cancer. Ingardona, a 1983 West High School graduate, joined the Fire Department on Sept. 1, 1989. During her career, she received two letters of commendation, and she also rescued someone from a burning building on April 16, 1998. She earned the rank of driver engineer in November 2006 and was then promoted to lieutenant on March 5, 2009.

OBITUARY
KELLI LYNN INGARDONA, 45
LOVING WIFE, MOTHER AND FRIEND
CHERRY VALLEY – Kelli Lynn Ingardona, 45, of Cherry Valley went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2010, at home surrounded by her loving family. Born March 13, 1965, in Rockford, the daughter of Gerald and Linda (Young) Whelan. Graduated from West High School in 1983. Married Frank Ingardona on May 27, 1995, in Rockford. Kelli was a Rockford firefighter for more than 20 years and started her career with the department Sept. 1, 1989. Kelli served on the Physical Agility Test Development Commission and as a coordinator of the Physical Agility Program. Throughout her career on the department, Kelli received two letters of commendation. She was the chairman of the fire fighter’s picnic for eight years, serving alongside Jeff Poshka. She became a paramedic Dec. 1, 1992, and a preceptor June 27, 2001. She received her Firefighter III as well as Fire Officer 1 certification. On April 16, 1998, Kelli rescued a victim from a burning building in Rockford. She went on to become driver engineer in November 2006, then her most challenging role as lieutenant March 5, 2009. Kelli was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and enjoyed spending time with her family. Survivors include loving husband, Frank; sons, Dario and Franky; stepchildren, Jade and Zack; father, Gerald Whelan of Rockford; sisters, Lori (Pete) Calen and Tami Rhymer of Rockford, and Julie (Larry) Miller of Tolono; nephews, Cody, Kyle and Eron Rhymer; special cousin, Jan Chabucos; mother and father-in-law, Frank and Claudia Ingardona; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jerry and Kathy Donnelli, Mike and Toni Piamonte and Alex and Kristy Ingardona; special friends, Jeri Hart and Bob Vertiz; and many special nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her mother, Linda.