Diane Samuel

Diane P. Samuel

Age 69 of Wilmington and formerly Chicago, passed away Friday March 16, 2012 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born March 11, 1943 in Chicago, Diane was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anne Ondesko-Gaida. She was educated in Chicago and on August 1, 1964 married Stephen F. Samuel. Together they lived in Chicago until moving to Wilmington in 2002. Diane worked in the deli for the Jewel located at Archer and Western Avenue in Chicago for more than 20 years. She was a member of Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington and will be remembered for her love of crafting and gambling. She truly cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years Stephen; three children: Joseph Samuel of San Diego, California, Kathryn (John) Reilly of New Lenox and Laura Ann Samuel of Wilmington; two grandchildren: Emily and Sean Reilly and one sister JoAnne (Jack) Wesley of Florida, as well as numerous friends and extended family.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Monday March 19, 2012 between the hours of 4:00 and 9:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Tuesday March 20th at 10:00AM in Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer officiating.

Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Honorary pallbearer will be Diane's grandson Sean Reilly with acting pallbearers: Randy Conner, Jimmy Reilly, Stephen Reilly, Phillip Reilly, Jim Keating and John Cornwell.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Diane's memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org)

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)