Joliet, IL Obituaries

Feb 1, 2017

Harold E. Bessler, age 73, at rest on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 with his loving family by his side.

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Margaret (nee Gergacz); children, Brian (Mary Kay) Bessler and Scottie (Melanie) Bessler; grandchildren, Michaela and Margaret Bessler and Annabelle and Abigail Bessler; one sister; four brothers; numerous nieces...

Jan 30, 2017

Joaquina Ramirez, 86, of Joliet, entered eternal life on Monday, January 30, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Durango, Mexico, she is survived by her loving children Trinidad, Erasmo, Hignio, and Maria; as well as her 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Joaquina’s life begin on Saturday, February 4, 2017 with...

Jan 30, 2017

Joan Elizabeth Lewandowski (nee Batson), age 93, of Joliet, IL, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2017 at her residence. Joan was born May 26, 1923, in Leicester, England, the daughter of John Thomas and Kate Jones Batson. She married Walter Lewandowski, a member of the U.S. Air Force stationed in England, on October 21, 1944, at Holy Cross...

Jan 29, 2017

Valeria (Val) P. Wittenkeller, nee Brnca, 92 years, passed away at Joliet Area Community Hospice.

Survived by two daughters, Jeanette (late Michael) Lyons of Bloomington, Minnesota and Jodene (Mark) Hertko of Homer Glen; one son, Willard Wittenkeller Jr. of Lockport; one brother, Raymond (late Agnes) Brnca of Joliet; four grandchildren, Jessica (William) Batterman, Christopher Lyons, Kristin (Tyler)...

Jan 25, 2017

Genevieve M. Susner (nee Kostyra), age 95, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 with her loving family by her side.

Genevieve is survived by her loving son, Nicholas (Karen) Susner; cherished grandson, Michael Grant (Ginger) Susner; three cherished great-grandchildren, Maya, Angelina, and Connor Susner; dear sister-in-law, Patricia (the late Eugene) Kostyra; as well as...

Jan 24, 2017

Leanne M. Schmidt (nee Ficarella), age 48, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

Survived by her loving siblings, Marialena (Tony Mauro) Ficarella, Jannine (Dean) Johnson, Nicola (Paula) Ficarella, and Virginia (Gene) Hoffman; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by her husband, Richard; father, Leo (Marie) Ficarella; mother,...

Jan 24, 2017

William J. Potochnic, age 87, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 with his loving son and family by his side.

William is survived by his loving son, William Jr. (Lynne Remko); cherished granddaughter, Jessica Samoska; cherished great-grandson, Kohen; dear brothers, Richard, John, and Jim (the late La Vonne) Potochnic; dear sister, Diane (Ken) Derickson;...

Jan 21, 2017

Mary Frances Petro (nee Gleason), age 85, at rest on Saturday, January 21, 2017.

Loving mother of Janet (Robert) Hewlett, Nick (Leah) Petro, Meg (Paul) Studer, Alan (Sarah) Petro and Kristi (Scott) Niedzwiecki. Dearest grandmother “Nanny” of Kevin (Paul Wilson) Gornik, Mark (Jill) Gornik, Max Hewlett, Mallory (Phil Cantu) Hewlett, Tony Petro, Dan (Kerri Lyke) Petro, Nicholas...

Jan 21, 2017

Francesca Medved nee Berdon, 82, of Joliet, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2017, surrounded by her family at Joliet Area Community Hospice.

She was born in Slovenia in 1934 to the late Anton and Marija Berdon. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1956. A Joliet resident, she was formerly employed as a cook at D'Amico's Restaurant...

Jan 19, 2017

Kathleen J. Krakar (nee Taylor), age 65, entered into eternal life on Thursday, January 19, 2017 with her loving husband by her side.

Kathleen is survived by her loving husband, David Krakar; three stepdaughters; Shelly (Lovell) Hatfield of Joliet, IL; Tracy (Thomas Johnson) Krakar of Joliet, IL; and Bethany (Mathew) Bruss  of Wabash, IN; four loving grandchildren...

Jan 15, 2017

Jerome A. Harvey, age 93, entered into eternal life on Sunday, January 15, 2017.

Jerome is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Shirley (nee Halweg); loving sons, James (Pam), Thomas (Karen), Daniel (Mari Ann), Dennis (Kim), and Ronald Harvey; cherished grandchildren, Jerry, Tim, Rick, Mike, Liz (John) Fox, Nick (Amy), Geoff, Tom, Anthony, Amanda (Douglass)...

Jan 14, 2017

Diane L. Hartman (nee Carey) (Villegas), age 62, lost her life due to a battle with lupus on Saturday, January 14, 2017.

Diane was born on April 6, 1954. Attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Grade School, Joliet Central High School. Later, she went to JJC, St. Francis University, and Lewis University. Diane retired from Joliet Central...

Jan 13, 2017

Anton “Tony” Kaluza, age 82, peacefully entered into eternal life on Friday, January 13, 2017.

Left to celebrate Tony’s life are his beloved wife of 57 years, Julia (nee Cepon) Kaluza; loving children, Tony (Joni) Kaluza, Robert “Bobby” (Gina) Kaluza, Kathy (Blake) Mellecker, and Barbie (Bob) Kagay; cherished grandchildren, T.J., Alex, and Bobby Kaluza, Mackenzie and Benjamin...

Jan 12, 2017

Phyllis M. Schmidt “Toots” (nee Egdorf), age 95, formerly of Crest Hill, IL at rest on Thursday, January 12, 2017.

Phyllis is survived by her loving children, Kathleen (the late Rick) Close, Karen (Thomas) Pucel, Charles Schmidt; grandchildren, Mark (Michelle) Alstott, Michael (Nicole) Alstott, Jason (Krystal) Barz, Craig (Kate) Barz, Lindsay Gunier; great-grandchildren, Griffin Alstott, Hannah Alstott,...

Jan 10, 2017

Elmer Loraine Rubsam – 1934 – 2017

Elmer was born, February 19, 1934, to John and Rosa Rubsam in Newton, IL and passed away on January 10, 2017.  He will be remembered for his work ethic, faith in God, passion for gardening, and love of family.  Forever a kind and generous man, he was a volunteer for...

Jan 8, 2017

Jan 8, 2017

Pauline E. Redman-Machak, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2017 with her loving family by her side.

Pauline is survived by her loving children, Richard John (Kathryn) Machak, Joseph Michael (Sherry) Machak, Robert Richard Machak, James (Kathleen Solley) Machak, Rita Marie (Ray) Troutman and Edward Paul Machak; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; brother, John...

Jan 4, 2017

Robert E. “Blaze” Blazekovich, 79, of Marion, formerly of Minooka and Crest Hill, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at York Place Assisted Living Facility in Marion, Indiana.

Robert is survived by his loving wife, Elaine K. (nee Padovich); whom he married on August 11, 1956; his son, Dr. Robert M. (Diana) Blazekovich, DDS, Marion,...

Jan 2, 2017

James W. Kempes, age 75, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

James is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Leslee Kempes; loving children, Michael, David, Brian, Matthew (Tonja), and Jamie Kempes, Annie (Kraig) Kirsner, and Chris (Heather) Dunlap; 8 cherished grandchildren, Nicholas, Luke, Jacob, and Kelsey Kempes, Mack...

Dec 27, 2016

Age 97, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, December 27, 2016.

Preceded in death by her husband, Armando “Tony” Govoni (1993); parents, Joseph and Ursula (nee Obstetar) Ogulin; two brothers, Joseph and Bernard Ogulin; 5 sisters, Sr. Carmelita O.S.F., Louise, Bernice, Helen M., and Dolores Ogulin.

Dorothy is survived by her good friends, Fr. Jim...