Arden Wills

ARDEN E. WILLS, SR.

Age 85 of Coal City, passed away Tuesday morning, February 14, 2006 at Morris Community Hospital.

Born November 07, 1920 in Mazon, Arden was a son of the late Jesse and Nettie (Jordan) Wills. He was raised and educated in Coal City and Graduated from Coal City High School with the class of 1938. On May 24, 1941, Arden married Ellen "Snookie" Farmer in the Coal City United Methodist Church, and together they lived their entire married life in the Coal City Area. Arden had worked early on at Hyman Clothing Factory, the Seneca Shipyards and Uniroyal, and later Coal City Trucking and Coal City Redi-Mix, as well as farmed in the Mazon Creek Area. He was a lifelong member of the Coal City United Methodist Church, charter member and past president of the Coal City Lions Club, member of the Coal City Gleaners Association and a director of the Mazon Farmers Elevator. Arden was an avid Coal City Sports fan for many years, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, bowling and spending time along side the banks of the Mazon Creek at his farm. Most of all however, Arden enjoyed his loving family and the countless family gatherings.

Survivors include his two sons: Arden (Carole) Wills, Jr. and David (Jean) Wills, both of Coal City; Six grandchildren: Greg (Tiffany) Wills, Darren (Nikki) Wills, Kristin (Lance) Copes, Davy Lynne (Mike) Badorek, Allen (Kymm) Wills and Adam Wills; (8) Great Grandchildren: Branden, Alex, Carter, Kerigan, Beau, Zoe, Christian and Ella and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Arden was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ellen "Snookie" in 2001, two great grandchildren: Ryan Wills and Caden Copes, one brother Roy Wills and one sister Dorothy Albrecht.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Friday February 17, 2006 between the hours of 3:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Arden will then lie in state Saturday February 18th from 9:00 AM until time of funeral service 10:00 AM at the Coal City United Methodist Church, 6805 East McArdle Road in Coal City. Dr. Thomas Logsdon will officiate, burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery and a luncheon will follow the graveside services at the Berst Center in Coal City.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Arden's memory to: Coal City School District - Unit One Foundation, 415 N. Garfield, Coal City, Illinois 60416; Angel of Hope, Inc., NFP, c/o Holsinger and Associates, 101 W. Illinois Avenue Suite 1, Morris, Illinois 60450 or Coal City United Methodist Church 6805 East McArdle Road, Coal City, Illinois 60416.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.