It is with unimaginable pain that we have to say goodbye to Matt Finstrom, age 41 of Plainfield, IL.  He was a man that loved life, adored his wife and children and was an amazing son, brother and friend to so many.  A truly talented carpenter that could build or fix absolutely anything.  He had a sense of humor unmatched by anyone else and a way to play the right music at just the right time.  He worked so hard and played just as hard to balance it out. He was an...

Loretta Catherine Wojtak, 91, passed away on Wednesday, January, 25, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. A graduate of Joliet Township High School class of 1949, she met her future husband while attending Joliet Junior College and worked at Blockson Chemical.  Soon after she stayed home to raise their children. After her husband passed away in 1968 she went back to school and graduated from the College of St. Francis with a teaching degree, teaching a few years and then earned a...

Bernard L. Haggerty, age 93, peacefully passed away with his family at his side on Wednesday, January 25th 2023. Bernie was born in Joliet on October 1st, 1929, to Thomas and Agnes (Kocjan). After graduating from Joliet Catholic High School, he joined the Unites States Army and served as a MP during World War II in occupied Japan. He returned home to work for Commonwealth Edison. During his career, he served as President of IBEW Local #1460, Vice President of Systems Counsel and a member of...

George was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to father George William Crabtree Jr., a mechanical engineer for International Harvester, and mother, Elizabeth Fulk Crabtree, nee Fulk, a homemaker and community service volunteer.  After graduating from Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois, George received his B.S. from Northwestern University, M.S. from University of Washington, and Ph.D. in condensed matter physics. He spent most of his scientific career at Argonne National...

Charlotte Marie Brown (Gecan) Age 86 of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Ascension South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest with her family by her side. Born December 27, 1936 in Joliet, Charlotte was a daughter of Charles and Anna (Surinak) Gecan. She was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Township High School with the class of 1954. Charlotte began her career in the travel industry. She started with Delta Airlines and then transitioned to...

On Friday January 20th 2023, Richard J. Danca “Rich,” a beloved husband and father, unexpectedly passed away. He was seventy-six. The family is deeply saddened by his death. Rich was born December 1, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to his parents Anthony and Lucille Danca. He was raised in Lasalle-Peru, Illinois with his sisters Jackie and Sandy. He studied English at Northern Illinois University where he also competed on the men’s diving team. Following college, he went on to...

Diane Marie Vanoskey Saylor, 62,  passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023 in Lockport,IL. She was a  beloved mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed. Diane is preceded in death by her parents: John and Yvonne Vanoskey and one brother John R. Vanoskey. Left to treasure her memory are her three children: Christy Carter, Tiffany Lesure and Ira E. Couch IV. Also surviving Diane are her grandchildren: Brooklyn Lesure, Jakobi Lesure, Roemal Lesure, Elijah Couch as well as her...

Richard K. Mandella, Sr. Age 89 of Joliet, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 15, 2023 with his family by his side. Born June 11, 1933 in Joliet, Richard was a son of Sylvester and Anna (Legan) Mandella. He was raised and educated in Joliet and attended St. Bernard’s Grade School and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School with the class of 1951. Richard served a dedicated career with Commonwealth Edison and retired as a supervisor. Dick was a beloved husband of...

John D. “Jammin’ Johnny” Fese, born January 13, 1949, of Joliet & Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents: Peter Fese & Bernie Evans (Cundiff), sister: Antoinette “Toni” King, step-daughter: Christine Nagel (O’Donohue), step-son: Timmy O’Donohue. He is survived by his sister: Victoria Lorenc (Fese), two daughters: Rhonda (Bill) Dowell and Shelley (Jeremy Green) Fese-Bishop....

James Louis Stalzer Age 88 of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at StoryPoint in Romeoville. Born November 7, 1934 in Joliet, James was the son of Louis and Helen (Terlep) Stalzer. He was raised and educated in Joliet and went on to work as a laborer for Local 75 until retirement. James was a devout Catholic who possessed a strong work ethic. He was a true patriot to his country, and a die-hard baseball fan, specifically the Chicago White Sox. James knew...

Augusto Loeza-Guzman Sr., age 66, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 with his loving family by his side. Augusto is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Leticia Loeza Esparza; parents, Trinidad and Gloria Loeza; his cherished son, Augusto Jr. (Kara) Loeza; granddaughter, Amelia Loeza; siblings, Maria, Juan (Norma), Angelica (Fransico), Gloria (Andres), Leticia (Edwardo), Rosa (Leo), Teresa (Beto), Jose (Brenda), Daniel (Sindy) and Ivan (Veronica); numerous nieces, nephews and...

Victor G. Calimee born July 11, 1949, deceased January 10, 2023.  Pastor Victor Calimee was the eldest of eight children.  Born to J.C. Calimee of Homer, Louisiana and Ethelene Durr of Prentiss, Mississippi.  He attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and St. De LaSalle High School in Chicago IL. After De LaSalle H.S. Victor went to live with his grandparents Robert and Hester Durr of Prentiss, MS where he attended J.E. Johnson H.S. Where he displayed great talent in the...

Andrew M. Birsa, Sr. Age 81 of Shorewood, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023. Born March 26, 1941 in Rockdale, Andy was a son of Edward and Alice (Smith) Birsa. He was raised and educated in Rockdale and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School with the class of 1959. Andy retired from Commonwealth Edison as a Shift Engineer and dedicated his free time as a lifelong volunteer coach in the Joliet area. He coached for St. Raymond’s, St. Joseph’s Rockdale, the Joliet and...

Frank James “Boomer” Crotty, Jr., beloved Daddy, Uncle, Great-Uncle, Great-Granduncle, Brother, and Friend, was called home on January 9 to be reunited with his wife Joan and their beloved Westie, Fitzwilliam. He is survived by his daughter Joni-Marie (Aaron) LaVere and his cherished baby girl tuxedo cat, Betsy Beatrix, who will now live with Boomer’s adored granddog Violet (whom he called “Ultra”) and grandcats Jenson and...

Andrew Wrobel, age 75, of Orland Park and former resident of Joliet for 56 years, passed away peacefully at Lightways Hospice on Sunday, January 8, 2023.  Beloved husband of Sophie (nee Lesnicki); loving father of Stanley (Lucynka) and the late Vickyann (1982); adored grandfather to Andrew and John; uncle and father figure to Kazimierz (KC) Maka; brother to the late Jan, Stefania and Jozef; brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to many.  Born on June 26, 1947 to Aleksander and...