Dorothee Rose Tjelle

Age 94 of Carbon Hill, Illinois, died Thursday evening, October 20, 2022 surrounded by family at the Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born November 14, 1927 in Coal City, Illinois, Dorothee Rose was a daughter of James and Rose (Mlynek) Vilt. She was raised and educated in Coal City and was a graduate of Coal City High School with the Class of 1945. On November 26, 1949, Dorothee married Everett Tjelle in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, and together they made their home in Gardner, before relocating to Coal City.

Dorothee was a former member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington, and currently belonged to Assumption Parish in Coal City, where she was a member of The Martha’s. Dorothee served as a 4-H Leader, and most recently was an active volunteer, assisting with the Carbon Hill Homecoming for many years; St. Vincent’s Table, where she baked and provided desserts weekly; The Coal City Clothes Closet, and MOMS Cookies. She enjoyed dancing, as well as gardening and flowers. Family was always the center of Dorothee’s life and she cherished the time she was able to spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and siblings. She was also for certain to be in attendance for any and all of her grandchildren’s activities.

Survivors include her children: Dennis (Margene) Tjelle of Dwight, Alan Tjelle of Carbon Hill, Diane Cramer of Saunemin, LuAnn (Randy) Bradbury of Odell, and JoAnn (Loren) Koenig and Brian Tjelle, both of Carbon Hill; (11) Grandchildren; (22) Great grandchildren; one brother, Ron Vilt of Wilmington and two sisters-in-law: Lorraine Vilt of Carbon Hill and Phyllis Tjelle of Dwight, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothee was preceded in death by her parents; husband Everett Tjelle (January 9, 1990); son-in-law, Kenny Cramer; brother, Richard “Hotshot” Vilt; sister, Bette Stutts, and her special friend and companion, Franklin Bevan.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City on Monday, October 24, 2022 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will follow on Tuesday morning, October 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 S. Kankakee Street in Coal City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Josh Miller presiding, and Deacon William Dunn assisting.

Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Campus, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband.

Pallbearers will be: Jim Muser, Jordan Koenig, Craig Cramer, Chris Cramer, Luke Tjelle, Jake Tjelle and Shane Wepprecht.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Dorothee’s memory to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431; Paralyzed Veterans of America, P.O. Box 758542, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8542 and St. Vincent’s Table or the Assumption Building Fund c/o 195 S. Kankakee Street, Coal City, IL 60416.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Dorothee’s memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)