Karen Alma Friddle

Age 79, a life-long resident of Wilmington, Illinois, passed away on June 15, 2025 at the Arc of Dwight.

Born on February 19, 1946, Karen Alma was a daughter of Melvin and Josephine (Swartz) Friddle. She attended local schools and continued to stay rooted in the community throughout her life.

Karen worked for decades as a bartender in Wilmington. Most notably, she spent many years at Tuffy’s and Snookers, where she became familiar and well-liked to customers. She was sharp, funny, and knew how to hold her own behind the bar. Whether someone was stopping in after work or just passing through, Karen made everyone feel welcome in her own no-nonsense way. Outside of work, Karen was all about her family and her town. She raised five children as a single mother, and did so with grit, humor, and fierce determination. Her kids will tell you she didn’t sugarcoat anything, and she told it like it was. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, and she loved being part of their lives.

Karen was a proud supporter of the Wilmington Wildcats and loved following local sports. She enjoyed watching NASCAR and was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan, even through the tough seasons. She had a gift for gardening and was known for her ability to breathe life back into any plant. Karen liked being around people, talking, laughing, and keeping up with the latest going on around town.

She is survived by her five children: Tiffanee (Bob) Joly, of Wilmington, Aaron and Sarah (Evans) Hawks, of Coal City, Illinois, Chad and Colleen (McKeown) Duke of Coal City, Ashley (Andrew) Storbeck of Braidwood, Illinois, Shana (Ben) Pogliano of Wilmington; eleven grandchildren: Cody, Lindsey, Gavin, Kylie, Dominic, Mason, Jaxson, Emberly, Mavis, Jaden, Kyla; three great grandchildren: Halen Ray, Kamdyn, Levi; siblings: Melva Jo 'Sis' McCarville, Donald Friddle, Charles (Joyce) Friddle, Kathleen Friddle, Mary Hairold; numerous nieces and nephews and several cousins.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dale Friddle; sister, Faye Hansen; special sister-in-law, JoAnn Friddle.

The family will receive friends for a Memorial Gathering at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Karen's memory to the Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S Main St, Wilmington, IL 60481

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guestbook, upload photographs and share Karen's memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland and Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)