Bernice Korelc

Bernice Josephine Korelc

Age 88 of Wilmington passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at the Joliet Community Hospice Home in Joliet.

Born September 13, 1919 in Chicago, Bernice was a daughter of the late Raymond and Elizabeth (Jaros) Lahey. On May 31, 1941 Bernice married John Korelc at St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. Bernice and John owned and operated the J&B Confectionary on Water Street from 1946 to 1957. In 1960 they opened the Dari Delite on Baltimore Street and in 1965 when the business became an independent operation and the menu expanded, they changed the business name to The Launching Pad Drive-In. Located on Route 53, "Route 66", Bernice and John looked for something distinctive to set their restaurant apart and found it in the form of a 28 foot tall, 500 pound fiberglass green giant with a space helmet. The "Gemini Giant" has been greeting motorists entering Wilmington ever since.

Survivors include her daughters: Sharon (Jerry) Gatties and Kathy (Robert) Huhn, both of Wilmington; four grandchildren: Cyndy (Tim) Gray of Woodridge, IL, Jay (Rachel) Spolarich of Herrin, IL; Jerry "Pete" Gatties of Fort Myers, FL and Jori (Dann) Taylor of Wilmington; four great grandchildren: Tyler Gray, Emily and Haley Spolarich and Rebecca Taylor; one sister Dorothy Luciano of Wilmington; one sister-in-law Theresa Lahey of Mesa, AZ and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, two brothers: William and Raymond Jr.; two sisters: Lucille Mulrenin and Eileen Raughton, and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be Friday, January 18, 2008 from 9:30am until 11:30am at Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington proceeding to St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington for 12:00pm Mass of Christian Burial. Father Steve Bondi will officiate and burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bernice's memory to Saint Rose Catholic Church or Kuzma Care Cottage.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington.

Friends may sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com