Michelle Ann Honiotes

Michelle Ann Honiotes (née DeJanovich), age 73, passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2026, with her husband by her side, following an extended illness.

Michelle was born on March 3, 1953, in Joliet, Illinois, to Mike and Virginia DeJanovich. She first met her future husband, Pete, when she was in kindergarten. They were reunited years later at Joliet West High School, where they began a love story that would last nearly 60 years.

Michelle and Pete married on January 12, 1974, at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. They moved to a home on Oneida Street in Joliet, where they would live out their entire lives as a couple. Michelle began her career as an elementary school teacher in Plainfield, before taking time off to raise her beloved children, her daughter Courtney and son Nick. Michelle loved spending her summer days with her kids, family, and friends at Braidwood Recreation Club, an activity she enjoyed her entire life. The family spent many summers vacationing near South Haven, Michigan, where Pete’s parents had a cottage. Michelle was also a lifelong White Sox fan, a trait passed down to her from her father. One of her favorite memories was when the Sox won the World Series in 2005, proving they were Chicago’s superior team to Pete’s Cubs, who wouldn’t reach that milestone until several years later.

Once her children were older, Michelle went back to work, first as a substitute teacher, and then once again as a classroom teacher. She worked for several different schools in Joliet, including Farragut and Taft Elementary Schools, before settling in at Forest Park I.E. Michelle loved the special experience she had at Forest Park, where her students called her by her first name, and where she was able to develop classes and design curricula for her own “creatives” such as Sign Language and Jeopardy.

While Michelle loved teaching, her true passion was her family. Michelle cherished the time she was able to spend traveling with Pete and her family, and especially loved being a Grandma to Bennett and Emma. Prior to her illness, she was able to create special memories with her grandkids, and especially loved taking them to Braidwood. Michelle loved animals and helped care for many granddogs and grandcats as well.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Virginia (Marino) DeJanovich; parents-in-law, Nicholas J. and Elizabeth (née Calamaras) Honiotes; and brother-in-law Ed Phelan.

Michelle is survived by her devoted husband, Peter Nick Honiotes. She was the loving mother of Courtney (Chad) Morrison and Nicholas Peter D. (Brianne) Honiotes. She was the doting grandmother to Bennett and Emma Morrison. Michelle is also survived by her sister and best friend, Barbara Phelan. She will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, extended family members, and friends. Special thanks to caregivers Paula Barnett and Tina Dierkes, as well Liz Seals and the nurses from Lightways Hospice for their care and support over the last several years.

Michelle was known throughout her life for her kindness. In her later years, despite everything that dementia, cancer, and heart disease took from her, her sweet disposition remained.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Pomen Service to take place at 7:00 pm, at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. A Funeral Service is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 11:00 am at Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church, 305 S. Midland Ave. Joliet, IL. Immediately following the Funeral Service, all guests are invited to travel in procession to Woodlawn Memorial Park for a graveside interment service.