J. Justin Fitzgerald, 82, of Mendota died March 18, 2010, in his residence. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Holy Cross Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Fredi Gomez Torres officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is 2-5 p.m. Sunday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mr. Fitzgerald was born Nov. 30, 1927, in Ophir Township to William and Rose Mary (Hanley) Fitzgerald. He married Helen Carberry on Feb. 23, 1957, in Chicago. He was a member of Holy Cross Church in Mendota and Mendota Elks Lodge 1212. He was a graduate of Mendota High School in the class of 1945 and served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army. He farmed in Ophir Township his entire life. He is survived by his daughter, Nora (Art Soudek) Fitzgerald of Oak Park and two grandchildren, Charlotte and Judd Soudek. He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 18, 2008; two brothers, Harold and William; and one sister, Rose Sheridan. Memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Hospice.