Rachel Tira

Rachel Joy Tira

Age 69 of Coal City, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Born October 28, 1947, in Hinsdale, Rachel Joy was a daughter of the late Reverend Dean and Ellen (Deininger) Plassmann. She was raised in Hinsdale until the age of four, when her family moved to Lake Zurich for her father to pastor St. Peters Evangelical Reformed Church. It was in Lake Zurich, that Rachel began junior choir, took up piano lessons, and decided that she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. The oldest of three children born to Rev. and Mrs. Plassmann, Rachel enjoyed traveling with her family throughout the United States and Canada before relocating to Peotone, during her high school years. Rachel followed her dreams of being a nurse, as she graduated Joliet Junior College with an Associate's Degree in Nursing in 1967. She then went on to attend Elmhurst College, and earned her nursing diploma from the Evangelical School of Nursing at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in 1970. On October 31, 1970, Rachel married Donald Joseph Tira in Peotone, and together they made their home in Coal City. Rachel's work from 1971-1987 entailed working at Morris Hospital as a staff nurse, private duty nurse and later as a team leader on the Medical-Surgical Unit.

In the 1990's Rachel's love of traveling, eventually led her and Don into owning and operating Coal City Travel Center and also Adventure Travel II in Morris.

Rachel was an active member of New Hope Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Trustee and Youth Choir Director. She also served the Coal City Unit #1 School District as a School Board Member from 1977-1983, and held the position as School Board President during that interim from 1981-1983.

She will be remembered for her love of music, gardening, quilting, and playing tennis. Family was of utmost importance to Rachel, and she cherished her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 46 years Donald; five children: Mark Tira of Sterling, Scott Tira of Plainfield, Kim (Ben) Dickey of Antioch, Leigh Garrelts of Coal City and Chad (Sarah) Tira of Lombard; grandchildren: Ashleigh Tira, Evan Tira, Aubrey Dickey, Jarod Garrelts, Carter Garrelts, Ava Garrelts, Jacob Tira and Parker Tira; one sister Deanna (Kit) Carstens of McHenry; one brother Brian (Sharon) Plassmann of Winamac, Indiana; brothers and sisters-in-law: Joel (Cynthia) Tira of Coal City, Stephanie (Dennis) Lane of Sycamore, Joan (the late Michael) Kabala of Elgin and Robert (LaVaun) Tira of Coal City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents: Rev. Dean and Ellen Plassmann; her daughter-in-law Paula Tira, and one nephew David Plassmann.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Rachel will then lie in state Thursday morning, January 26th at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 80 North Garfield Street (at First Street) in Coal City from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 10:00 a.m. Reverend Mark Hughey will officiate, and burial will follow in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Tira, Scott Tira, Chad Tira, Evan Tira, Jarod Garrelts and Carter Garrelts

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Rachel's memory to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 80 N. Garfield St, Coal City, IL 60416.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Rachel's memorial page on social media, 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)