Diane "Dee" Craig

Diane “Dee” Craig age 75, lifelong resident of Joliet, IL, passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, IL on September 26, 2025. She was born on May 11, 1950 to her father Andrew Shroba and mother Mary Shroba (née Hresko) in Joliet.

Diane worked hard during her life to provide for her three children, whom she raised in Joliet. She worked at the Joliet Arsenal, Joliet Wrought Washer, L.K. Comstock (Braidwood Nuclear Plant), as a teachers aid in public education, and most recently for the Illinois State Police as an Expungement Clerk and Union Steward. She was educated in Joliet, eventually earning her Associate’s Degree from Joliet Junior College, she also had a Bachelors Degree from Governors State. She had a passion for antiques, and she found great joy in finding the treasures that many others may have easily overlooked. She enjoyed spending her time reading, crafting, thrifting, and gardening when she wasn’t busy spending as much time as possible with her grandkids. She truly was a loving and caring mother and grandmother with the biggest of hearts. She always made time for a loved one, and she adored spending time talking and sharing time with family and friends. With Dee, conversations never really ended, they only paused until the next time. So, with that in mind, her family will miss her dearly, until the next time.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Mary; her siblings SSG Thomas Shroba and Marianne Kemp; her niece Angela Kemp; and her cousins Fred (Joan) Glavan, Lee (Don) Gallagher, Joann (Ray) Seeley, Phil Griest, Noreen Ball, Cathy Sharp, Wally Kimack, and Helen Rodeghiero.

Diane is survived by her children Andrew “Little Larry” (Demetra) Shroba, Richelle Fernandez, and Thomas (Brandy) Craig; her grandchildren Stephan “Dougie” Shroba, Shelby (Spencer) Shroba, Gabrielle Craig, Yesenia (Chris) Craig, Damon Gutierrez, Thomas “Tommy” Craig, Skyler Craig, and Kayla Craig; her great-grandchildren Markus, Kamden, and Sylas Shroba, Jameson, Wade, Clay and Graham Hable, Gabrianna Anderson, Royalty Daniels, Romeo and Remiyah Burrell, and D’Angelo Cooley-Gutierrez; her siblings Lawrence “Big Larry” (the late Karen) Shroba and Steven (Gail) Shroba; her nieces and nephews Kevin Shroba, Angie LaFere, Amy Smith, Emily Bohac, Andrea Shroba, and Aaron Shroba; and her cousins Michael J. (Patricia) and James Minarich, Mark (Pam) Sharp, and Theresa (the late Leonard) Harness.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm with an opportunity for a “Sharing of Memories” at 7:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday October 6, 2025 at 10:00 am at Saint Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 706 N Broadway St, Joliet, IL. Immediately following close of Mass, we will travel in procession to Saints Cyril and Methodius Cemetery, 2001 Maple Rd. Joliet, IL for a graveside inurnment committal service. Cremation rites will be accorded.