Kelli Lynn Whelan Ingardona was born on March 13, 1965 in Rockford and died of breast cancer on April 12, 2010.  She graduated from West High School in 1983 and married Frank Ingardona in Rockford on May 27, 1995.  Kelly was a Rockford Firefighter for more than 20 years, beginning her career in 1989.

During her career, Kelli received two letters of commendation.  In 1998, she rescued a victim from a burning building in Rockford.  Kelli was the coordinator of the Physical Agility Program and served on the Physical Agility Test Development Commission.  She became a paramedic on December 1, 1992 and a preceptor on June 27, 2001.  She received her Firefighter III and her Fire Officer 1 certification.  Kelli was a Driver Engineer and became a Lieutenant in 2009.

Kelli served as the Chairman of the Fire Fighter’s Picnic for eight years along with Jeff Poshka, and she was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, two sons, step children and other family members.