Charles Stratz

Charles W. Stratz

“Chuck”

Age 67 of Morris, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at Regency Care of Morris.

Born April 5, 1953 in Joliet, Charles William was a son of Henry and Anna Marie (Moran) Stratz. He was raised and educated in Minooka and graduated from Minooka High School with the Class of 1971. On June 19, 1976, Chuck married Gail Ann Mize at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris.

He worked for the Diamond International Paper Mill for 30 years and volunteered with the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency in Grundy County. Chuck was a past member of First Baptist Church in Coal City where he was an active member and was in charge of running the sound equipment for many years. He studied agriculture at Joliet Junior College, and was passionate about farming and tending his garden. Chuck enjoyed going to downtown Morris for the Lions Club car shows, as well as attending the dulcimer festivals and watching the fireworks every year at Corn Fest. He also liked spending time at home watching movies and television, but most important was spending time with his family, especially his granddaughters who were special to him.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Gail Stratz of Morris, his son, Timothy (Julie) Stratz of Mazon, two granddaughters: Amethyst and Lillian Stratz; two brothers and four sisters: Mary Ann Graf of Tempe, Arizona, Karen (Frank) Castiello of Tustin, California, Susan Sankins of Ashmore, Illinois, James Stratz of Tustin, California, Joseph Stratz of Cottonwood, Arizona, and Theresa (Steve) Cortese of Mount Prospect, Illinois; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Katherine Chesser of The Woodlands, Texas, and Wayne (Dawn) Mize of Dwight; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law, Tom Chesser, and his nephew, Matthew Chesser.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47), in Morris between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Facemasks will be required for those attending and social distancing practices will be in order. The funeral home staff will assist the family in maintaining current guidelines.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor David Gilleland officiating.

Those that wish to participate in funeral services virtually are welcome to join the live stream beginning on Thursday at 10:00. A link for the event will be made available on Chuck’s memorial page.

Burial will follow at Sample Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Chuck’s memory to the Morris Fire Department.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Chuck’s memorial page by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris (815) 942-2500 .