Gail Gelhaus

Age 87 of Wilmington, Illinois and formerly of Kewanee and Country Club Hills, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Morris, Illinois.

Born May 23, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, Gail Eileen was a daughter of Leo Robert and Helen (Castle) Koch. She was raised in Chicago and attended both Thornton High School and Bremen High School. On June 4, 1955, Gail married August Henry Gelhaus, Jr. in St. Christopher Catholic Church in Midlothian and together they made a home and raised their family.

Gail was employed with Lane Bryant in Matteson for more than ten years and was most recently a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. A true caregiver, Gail took pleasure in assisting with childcare for many years and enjoyed attending the children’s sporting and school events. Nothing gave her greater joy however than being a devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include her four children: August (Cynthia) Gelhaus, III of New Lenox, Illinois, Robert Gelhaus of Fowler, Indiana, Sheila (the late Todd) Vaderjack of Oak Forest, Illinois and Jamie (Kevin) Kapes of Minooka, Illinois; five grandchildren: Alexandra (Brandon) Smith, Shelby Vanderjack, Danny Veseli, Michael Veseli and Brandon Veseli; seven great grandchildren: Haley, Chloe, Eve, Michael, Elise, Alaunah and Austin, and one sister-in-law, Judy Koch, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Cheryl Gelhaus, siblings: Viola (Al) Cisek, Joan (Hap) Londos, Lee (Lorie) Koch and Richard Koch and her sister-in-law, Beverly (Tom) Andrasco.

The family will receive friends at St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington, Illinois on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service, 12:00 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Sebastian Gargol presiding.

Inurnment will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, where Gail will be laid to rest with her late husband.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Gail's memory to the Shriners Hospital.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Gail’s memorial page online through social media.

Cremation and memorial services have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)