Brenda Vanderwall

Brenda S. Vanderwall

Age 52 of Coal City, passed away Sunday April 13, 2014 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born October 2, 1961 in Chicago Heights, Brenda is a daughter of Bessie (nee Martin) Sykes of Oak Forest and Michael Brott of Naples, Florida. Brenda was raised and educated in Crete and graduated from Crete-Monee High School. On June 9, 1981, Brenda married Charles L. Vanderwall in Morris and together they made their home in Coal City. Most recently Brenda worked as a caretaker, nurturer and personal assistant with the State of Illinois. She previously drove a school bus in Coal City, and worked as a tax preparer and office manager with H&R Block and Gloria Longest. Brenda was very active with The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem before becoming ill. She volunteered with We-Care of Grundy County and enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening. Brenda’s children and family were her life’s work and most fond hobby. She will be remembered for her tremendous outpouring of constant support, and always being there for anyone in need.

Survivors include her husband of 32 years Charles; four children: Michael (Eva) Vanderwall of Bourbonnais, William Vanderwall of Minooka and Lawrence Vanderwall and Kimberly Vanderwall, both of Coal City; one grandson Charlie Vanderwall; her parents: Bessie (Bill) Sykes of Oak Forest and Michael (Barbara) Brott of Naples, Florida; one sister Wendy Brott-Harsell of Missouri; mother-in-law: Irene (the late Lawrence) Vanderwall of Manteno; brother-in-law Glenn (Pat) Vanderwall of New Lenox; nieces and nephews: Sylvia, Quade and Victor Brott-Harsell, Jeffrey Vanderwall and Jennifer (Dan) Niemczyk; several aunts and uncles, as well as a host of friends including special friends: Tracy Burgett of North Carolina, Joan (the late Jimmy) Salbego and Gloria Longest, both of Coal City.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Wednesday April 16, 2014 between the hours of 2:00PM and 8:00PM, and again Thursday April 17 ^th from 10:00AM until time of funeral services 11:00AM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services, and inurnment will be private.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Brenda’s memory to The Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, Priory of St. Norbert in Chicago. www.smotj.org/priories/stnorbert/overview/index.html

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

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