Dorothy Muzzarelli

Dorothy M. Muzzarelli

Age 84 and a lifelong resident of Gardner, passed away Tuesday March 11, 2014 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born September 17, 1929 in Gardner, Dorothy was a daughter of the late Frank and Josephine Kroll-Sowers. She was raised in Gardner and graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School with the class of 1947. On July 21, 1951, Dorothy married Leo Muzzarelli in Morris and he preceded her on October 22, 2002. Dorothy was an active member of the Braceville United Methodist Church and retired from the William Fox Developmental Center in Dwight. Dorothy took pleasure in cooking and sewing, and always enjoyed remembering friends and family with cards and notes.

Survivors include her two children: Michael Muzzarelli (fiancé Andrea Puryear) and Cynthia (Stephen) Giordano, both of Gardner; three grandchildren: Jacob Giordano (fiancé Nina Allen) of Dwight, Paul (Jessica) Giordano of Coal City and Julia Giordano of Gardner; three great grandchildren: Jacob, Caiden and Carter; three sisters: Lorraine Brockman, Marsha Sowers and Rebecca Sowers; two sisters-in-law: Sandra Sowers and Connie Muzzarelli and one brother-in-law Joseph “Muzzy” Muzzarelli, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leo; brothers: John (Bea) Sowers, Wayne (Lillian) Sowers, Archie Sowers and Harold Sowers; sisters: Maxine (John) Dite, Betty (Chet) Huston, Jean (Glenn) Treasure and Juanita (Richard) Marshall, and brothers and sisters-in-law: Leonard Brockman, Bruno Muzzarelli, Henry “Reco” (Edith) Muzzarelli, Frank (Marge Houck) Muzzarelli, Gemma (James) Wendell and Novi (Ebe) Jerbi.

Visitation will be held on Sunday March 16, 2014 between the hours of 2:00PM and 6:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 Liberty Street in Gardner. Funeral services will follow Monday morning March 17 ^th at 10:00AM in the funeral home with Reverend Bennett Woods from the Braceville United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, where Dorothy will be laid to rest with her husband Leo.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dorothy’s memory to the Braceville United Methodist Church.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Gardner. (815/237-2526)