Nelle Kociss

Nelle J. Kociss

Age 91 of Coal City, passed away Saturday January 6, 2007 at her home.

Born August 04, 1915 in Granville, Illinois, Nelle was a daughter of the late George and Anne Spiers. She was raised and educated in Joliet until moving to Braceville at the age of 15. Nelle was a graduate of Gardner High School with the graduating class of 1932. On June 30, 1945 Nelle married Fred Kociss in Assumption Catholic Church and together they lived their entire married life in Coal City. Fred preceded Nelle in Death on June 18, 2004. Nelle worked for both Hyman Clothing Factory and Toni Garments. She was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City where she was involved for more than 50 years and served as past president with the Altar and Rosary Society. Nelle was also a member and past president of the Braidwood Senior Citizen's Club, charter member and past president of the Coal City Senior Citizen's Club since 1975, member and past president of the Godley Senior Citizen's Group and member and past president of the Grundy County Senior Citizen's Board. She served as a chairman for the United Way, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association's fund raising efforts and was a member of the Mellowdears Kitchen Band in Coal City, where she served as their piano accompanist for 18 years. Nelle was nominated and inducted into the Will County Senior Services Hall of Fame and named Woman of the Year. Nelle loved music, bowling and fishing, but most of all she loved her Grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters: Kathy (Jay) Van Duyne and Honor (Neil) Trotter, both of Coal City. Five grandchildren: Bridgette (Phil) Hertz of Mequon, Wisconsin, Eric Van Duyne of Gurnee, Illinois, Craig Van Duyne of Diamond, Benjamin Trotter of Chicago and Nicholas Trotter of Coal City. Two special nieces: Nancy (Chet) Skowronski of Braidwood and Patsy Cerutti of Florida, as well as numerous other great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Nelle was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred, one son John Francis; two brothers: George Spiers and Tom Spiers and three sisters: Mae Manuel, Lillian Cerutti and Nora Bourgo.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Tuesday January 09, 2007 between the hours of 4:00PM and 6:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Funeral services will follow on Wednesday January 10, 2007 at 10:00AM in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held with Rev. Mike Pennock officiating. Family and friends are then invited to join together for a funeral luncheon in the Berst Center immediately following the services.

Private family burial will be held on Mount Olivet Cemetery in Braidwood.

Honorary pallbearer will be Bridgette Hertz and active pallbearers will be: Craig Van Duyne, Eric Van Duyne, Nick Trotter, Ben Trotter, Phil Hertz and Mark Skowronski.

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

Preferred memorials may be made to The Multiple Sclerosis Association Greater Illinois Chapter.

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.