Obituaries

Dec 1, 2019

Susan E. Kahler

Age 73 of Wilmington, Illinois and originally from Jacksonville, Illinois, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, December 1, 2019 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born April 20, 1946 in Jacksonville, Susan Eileen was the daughter of Albert Andrew and Muriel Ray (Spaulding) Hatala. She was raised and educated in Jacksonville, where...

Nov 30, 2019

William T. Drown

“Bill, Jr.”

Age 73 of Wilmington, passed away Saturday evening, November 30, 2019 at Morris Hospital.

Born June 15, 1946 in Joliet, Illinois, William Theodore was a son of William Theodore, Sr. and Edna Hazel (Stainbrook) Drown.

Bill was a collector of hot wheels, and old movies, especially...

Nov 24, 2019

Michael R. Swisher, Sr.

“Old Man”

Age 66 of Wilmington, passed away Sunday afternoon, November 24, 2019 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born October 2, 1953 in Joliet, Illinois, Michael Ray is a son of Clara Louise (nee Austin) Swisher and the late Robert Swisher. He was raised and educated in...

Nov 21, 2019

Tracy Lynn Haymes

Age 41 of Dwight and formerly of Brookfield, Illinois, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Morris Hospital.

Born June 9, 1978 in Berwyn, Illinois, Tracy Lynn is a daughter of Tom Haymes and Mary Ellen Kouba. She was a member of Hope Church in LaGrange – Highlands and a great fan...

Nov 21, 2019

Robert Gerald “Red” Wirth, age 94, passed away on Nov. 21 in the Joliet Community Hospice, surrounding by his loving family. He was born in Joliet on February 8, 1925 to Herman and Josephine (Egan) Wirth. He is survived by his wife Betty (Carey), his six children: Robert (Mary), William, Mary (Dennis Evans), John, Joseph (Mary) and Carol (William)...

Nov 15, 2019

Vernon L Arnold

Age 78 of Williford, Arkansas and formerly of Carbon Hill, Illinois, passed away November 15, 2019 in Batesville, Arkansas.

Born February 10, 1941 in Steele, Missouri to George and Bessie (Rogers) Arnold, and moved to Carbon Hill at the age of 6 months.  Vernon married Donna J Ferrara on March 25, 1961. ...

Nov 14, 2019

Carol Ann Schaal

Age 77 of Oak Lawn and formerly of Wilmington, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on November 14, 2019 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Born November 13, 1942 in Joliet, Illinois, Carol Ann was a daughter of Leslie Lawrence and Arlene Ellen “Peggy” (Jackson) Schaal. She was raised in Wilmington; graduated...

Nov 11, 2019

Debra A. Grega

Age 64 of Pontiac and formerly of Coal City, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 11, 2019.

Born February 4, 1955 in Joliet, Illinois, Debra Ann is the daughter of Hazel (née Miller) Grega and the late Joseph Grega, Sr. She was raised and educated in Coal City and graduated from Coal...

Nov 9, 2019

Mary Theresa Ebben

“Micki”

Age 96 of Oro Valley, Arizona and formerly of Joliet and Wilmington, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Copper Health Oro Valley.

Born April 12, 1923 on the family farm in Florence Township near Symerton, Illinois, Mary Theresa was a daughter of Terrence and Mary Emily (Dixon)...

Nov 9, 2019

David M. Maskel

Age 80 of Morris, passed away Saturday, November 9, 2019, at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Morris.

Born July 10, 1939 in Streator, David Michael was a son of Joseph and Anna (nee Mueller) Maskel. He was raised and educated in Morris, and graduated from Morris High School with the Class of...

Nov 7, 2019

Marion E. Erwin

Age 79 of Diamond, formerly of Wilmington, passed away Thursday November 7, 2019 at Morris Hospital.

Born September 28, 1940 in Wilmington, Marion Edward was a son of Robert and Jessie (nee Fritchley) Erwin. He was raised and educated in Roberts, Illinois and Thawville, Illinois, and graduated from Roberts-Thawville High School with the...

Nov 7, 2019

Roseann Watson Novy

"Ronie”

Age 81 of Carbon Hill, formerly of Joliet and Braidwood, passed away Thursday November 7, 2019, at her home with family by her side.

Born May 27, 1938 in Cicero, Illinois, Roseann was a daughter of Charles Svoboda and Helen Chaloupka. On September 29, 1956, she married her husband...

Nov 4, 2019

John M. Brannen

Age 79 of Morris, formerly of Bangor, Michigan and Schereville, Indiana, passed away Monday November 4, 2019 at The Parc of Joliet.

Born April 7, 1940 in Owensboro, Kentucky, John McCain Brannen was a son of Jesse and Jessie (nee McCain) Brannen. He graduated high school and went on to join the United States...

Nov 4, 2019

Michael Charles Backhus

Age 35 of Morris, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 4, 2019.

Born December 8, 1983 in Morris, Michael Charles is a son of Mark Charles Backhus and Catherine Ann Enger.  He was raised and educated in Morris and attended Morris schools. Michael worked many years next to his father in the...

Oct 30, 2019

Charles H. Johnson

Age 87 of Diamond, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, October 30, 2019 at his home.

Born April 9, 1932 in Joliet, Illinois, Charles Herbert was a son of Walter E. and Doris M. (French) Johnson. He was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Township High School. Charlie went...

Oct 28, 2019

Linda Strong

(nee Barbour)

Age 71 of Wilmington passed away Monday October 28, 2019 at her home.

Born October 22, 1948 in Joliet, Linda Sue was a daughter of Crum and Thelma (nee Hill) Barbour. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, and graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1966....

Oct 24, 2019

Samantha M. Serena

Age 35 of Gardner passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

Born February 21, 1984, Samantha Marie is a daughter of Leigh Opyd and Carmen Serena. She was raised and educated in Gardner, and graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the Class of 2002. Samantha received her Associate's Degree from...

Oct 21, 2019

Bonnie Ruth (nee Davis) Southall of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Rosewood Care Center in Joliet, just one day shy of her 78th birthday.

Born October 22, 1941, Bonnie was a daughter of Ernest Jess “E.J.” and Alice (Butcher) Davis. She was a lifelong resident of Wilmington where she was educated and...

Oct 20, 2019

Pamela Childress

Age 67 of Morris, formerly Griffith, Indiana, passed away Sunday October 20, 2019 at her home.

Born December 29, 1951 in Chicago, Pamela Lee was a daughter of Robert and Dorothy (nee Hahn) Ogden. She was raised and educated in Griffith, and graduated from Griffith High School. Pamela attended Joliet Junior College where...

Oct 18, 2019

June E. McLuckie

(nee Guardia)

Age 96 of Coal City, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at Miller Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Kankakee.

Born June 4, 1923 on the Gaurdia family farm in Braceville, June Elaine was a daughter of Leno “Leo” and Edith (Menietto) Guardia. She attended the Braceville Grade School...