Thelma Wickman

Thelma I. Wickman

Age 84 of Carbon Hill, passed away Monday evening September 23, 2013 at Morris Hospital.

Born March 25, 1929 in Coal City, Thelma was a daughter of the late Chris and Theresa Burla-Born. She was raised in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1947. A woman of strong work ethic, Thelma worked for Hyman Clothing Company prior to beginning her family. She later held employment with UniRoyal at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant and Metro Rubber in Morris. In the final years of Thelma's career she worked several years at the Braidwood Nuclear Station. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, where she was active in the Martha's; volunteered with the Grundy County Health Department and was a member of the Illinois chapter of Starcraft Camping Club. Thelma enjoyed baking, quilting and sewing. She also took pleasure in reading and spent many memorable winters in Florida. Thelma was a proud resident of Carbon Hill for more than 65 years. She was honored as a past Grand Marshall of the Carbon Hill Homecoming, which she took pride in volunteering countless hours annually. Thelma cherished her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and dedicated many years as a full time caregiver to her late husband Larry.

Survivors include her four children: Charlene (Tom) Connolly of Sheridan, Chris (Pam) Joneson of Morris, Carol (Dan) Green of Aurora and Cindy (Paul) Joneson-Hintze of Diamond; two step children: Gary (Kathryn) Wickman of Washington and Kathi Brewer of Godley; five grandchildren: Page Heermann, Casey Heermann (fiancAC. Kathy McGowan), Mark (Kim) Pavlis, Jill Pavlis and Joshua (Marti) Hintze; four step grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; two sisters: Vivian (Bill) Finn of Coal City; Eileen (Melvin) Mill of Texas; brothers-in-law Melvin Jackman of Gardner and Harry Wickman, Jr. of Morris, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents Chris and Theresa Born; husband Lawrence "Larry" Wickman, whom she married March 22, 1968 in Ottawa; father and mother-in-law Harry and Caroline Wickman; sister Norma Jackman; sister-in-law Billie Wickman and nephew Melvin William (Madeline) Jackman.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Friday September 27, 2013 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City.

Funeral services will follow Saturday morning September 28th at 10:00AM in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street in Coal City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Robert Noesen officiating.

Burial will be in Braceville-Gardner Cemetery.

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be: Page Heermann, Casey Heermann, Mark Pavlis, Jill Pavlis, Joshua Hintze, James Jackman, Daniel Finn, Robert Mill, Kim Drechsel, Ronald Taylor and Richard Joyce.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Thelma's memory to her family for distribution to local charities of their choosing.

Friends may sign the online guestbook 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)