Junior Zilm

Junior Walter Zilm

Age 80 of Braceville, went to be with family and friends who passed before him on Wednesday

February 9, 2011. He was born and raised in Custer Township, a son of the late Walter and Myrtle Zilm. Junior then served in the United States Navy before he married Bettie Lincheski. Together they had five children and spent most of their married life in Braceville. Junior held many positions during the course of his life including being a police officer in the late 1950's and a volunteer firefighter for the Braceville Fire Department for over 53 years. While a member of the Fire Department, he was instrumental in establishing the ambulance service, rose to the positions of Assistant Chief and Chief and was a member of the Shabonna Firefighters Association. Junior was the current Mayor of Braceville, a position he has held since May 2003. He worked as a Union Carpenter in the Joliet and Seneca Locals and was employed by UniRoyal at the Joliet Arsenal. After retirement Junior worked several years for Homes by Honrud.

Junior was an avid hunter. He loved to hunt deer, pheasants and wild turkey. He also spent many hours and walked countless miles hunting with his sons. Junior also loved to bullshit and would talk to anyone who would listen, making many friends along the way.

Survivors include his wife Bettie; four sons: Rick (Sue) Zilm of Braceville, John (Lisa) Zilm of Joliet, Larry Zilm of Diamond and George (Debra) Zilm of Danvers, Illinois; daughter Judi (Randy) Berry of Braceville; four grandchildren: Rick (Michelle) Zilm of Morris, Joshua (Rachael) Zilm of Neenah, Wisconsin and Jennifer Zilm and Jonathan Zilm, both of Joliet; five great grandchildren: Michael, Zachary, Abigail, Hannah and baby Zilm; one sister Doris Vosecky of Hinsdale; three sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and two very special friends Dave Bunting and his niece Winnie.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents and three s sisters: Ruth Weikum, Lula Dunn and Renee Schaal.

Life is a circle and he held our hand whenever we needed him, in return, we held his hand during his long battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed by all of us and he will be in our hearts forever.

The family will receive friends on Saturday February 12, 2011 from 2:00PM until time of service 4:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Pastor Andrea Boggs from the Braceville United Methodist Church will officiate. A memorial luncheon at the Braceville Village Hall will be held at the conclusion of the services, and a family interment with military honors will follow in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery on Friday March 4, 2011. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Rick, Josh, Jonathon and Jennifer Zilm.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Juniors memory to Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice or to a charity of the donor's choosing.

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 Coal City. (815/634-2125)