Madeline Willet

Madeline (Vilt-Jackman) Willet

Age 50 of Coal City passed away unexpectedly on Monday February 16, 2009 at Morris Hospital.

Born May 13, 1958, in Joliet, Madeline was a daughter of the late Joseph "Tut" and Mary A. (Pallas) Vilt. She was raised and educated in Coal City, and graduated from Coal City High School with the class of 1976. Madeline married Melvin William Jackman on August 13, 1977 and he preceded her in death on March 28, 1997. Madeline then married William Willet on July 13, 2001 and together they lived in Coal City. She worked for more than 20 years, beginning at the Eagle Country Market in Morris and was most recently employed as the deli manager at the Jewel in Minooka. Madeline was a member of the The Village Christian Church in Minooka, where she was involved in various church activities and a women's small group. She was also a member of the United Food Workers Union and a prominent member of "The Steel Magnolias". Madeline loved vacationing, fun in the sun and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband: William Willet; one son: David Jackman of Gardner and one daughter: Devan (Jason) Gagliardo of Channahon; mother-in-law: Theresa Willet of Ottawa; father-in-law: Melvin L. Jackman of Gardner; two brothers: James Vilt of Ohio and Keith (Jill) Vilt of Coal City; one sister: Mary Ann Vilt of Coal City; one brother-in-law: Jim Jackman of Gardner; three sisters-in-law: Mary (Don) Woodyer and Pam Willet both of Ottawa and Lori Willet of Naplate; two uncles: Jim Begler of Coal City and Herbert (Marjorie) Pallas of Road Island and seven nieces and nephews: Julie (Darrin) Hutchings and Jeff Vilt both of Coal City, Aaron (Katie) Willet of Ottawa, Stacey (Linn) Gebehart of Marseilles, Adam (Sarah) Woodyer of Florida, Kevin (Lisa) Woodyer of Ottawa and Nicole (Brian) DeWalt of Minooka, as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph "Tut" and Mary A. (Pallas) Vilt; first husband Melvin William Jackman; father-in-law: LaVern Willet; mother-in-law: Norma Jackman and one brother-in-law: Joseph Willet.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Friday February 20, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Coal City, 4470 East Illinois Route 113, West of Coal City, between the hours of 3:00PM and 8:00PM.

Funeral services will follow Saturday February 21st at 10:00AM in the Church with Pastor Nate Ferguson officiating.

Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery and pallbearers will be: Keith Vilt, James Vilt, Jeff Vilt, Darrin Hutchings, Kevin Raulerson and Jim Jackman. Honorary pallbearers will be "The Magnolia's".

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Madeline's memory to The Village Christian Church, P.O. Box 766, Minooka, Illinois 60447.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd., 75 North Broadway in Coal City. (815/634-2125)