Obituaries

Jan 12, 2021

David F. Sears, Sr.

Age 77 of Wilmington, passed away peacefully January 12, 2021 at his home surrounded by family.

Born May 31, 1943 in Albany, New York, David Franklin was a son of David Franklin and Margaret Julia (Pierce) Sears. He honorably served in the United States Navy, and on June 13, 1970 went...

Jan 12, 2021

Judith A. Plese passed away at her home early on the morning of January 12, 2021.

Born in Kankakee on August 13, 1938 to James and Ellen Benson, Judy lived first in Ashkum before moving to Wilmington in the mid 1940's.  Possessing a sharp mind and an unfailing memory, Judy was a natural student who attended the...

Jan 12, 2021

Joan A. Bailey

Age 70 of Wilmington, formerly of Bourbonnais, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Born January 14, 1950 in Joliet, Joan Arlene was a daughter of George Austin and Arlene (Richmond) Puckett. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School with...

Jan 11, 2021

Sonja Hicks Amell

Age 48 of Kempton and formerly of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on January 11, 2021.

Born December 30, 1972 in Joliet, Sonja Renee was a daughter of Laverne and Shirley (Rogers) Nelson. She was raised and educated in Braidwood before moving to Iowa. An avid Steelers fan, Sonja enjoyed attending concerts, and...

Jan 10, 2021

Joyce I. Ziegenfuss, 93, of Morris, passed away early Sunday morning, January 10, 2021 at her home with her family by her side. Born January 11, 1927 in Emmaus, Pa, the daughter of Earl and Mabel (Thomas) Apgar. She received her education in the schools of Emmaus. Joyce married Paul Ziegenfuss on October 30, 1948 and they lived most of...

Jan 9, 2021

Carol Ann Higgins

Age 71 of Godley, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2021, surrounded by family.

Born August 29, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. Carol Ann was a daughter of Eugene and Dorothy Marie (Peine) Higgins, and was raised and educated in the Burbank area. Carol worked most her life in hospitality, which included...

Jan 8, 2021

Dora Wilson

Age 80 of Braidwood, and formerly of Wilmington, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at her home.

Born January 19, 1940 in Wilmington, Dora Ellen was a daughter of Arthur J. and Alpha (Sitter) Heck. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and attended the Wilmington schools. Dora worked for many years as...

Jan 7, 2021

Katy H. Dunn

Age 98 of Wilmington, and formerly of Berwyn, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born October 8, 1922 in Clinton, Kentucky, Katy Helen was a daughter of Johnny Carl and Sally (Hollingsworth) Jackson. She was raised in Cairo, Illinois, where she went on to graduate from...

Jan 6, 2021

Eleanor Jackson

Age 91 of Manteno, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Amita St. Mary’s Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born January 31, 1929 in Morris, Illinois, Eleanor was a daughter of John and Catherine (Broderick) Bols. She was raised in Morris; graduated from Morris High School, and later went on to attend the Gallagher...

Jan 6, 2021

Mary Teresa Micetich

Age 79 of Morris, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Morris.

Born May 28, 1941 in Morris, Illinois, Mary Teresa was a daughter of James William and Marie Gloria (Papach) Barr. She was raised in Morris, attended St. Angela Academy until its closing, and...

Jan 4, 2021

James A. Winker, 69, of Wilmington passed away January 4, 2021 at AMITA Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois due to a Covid-19 related illness. He was born March 18, 1950 to Peter and Irma (Straussenburg) Winker of Frankfort, Illinois.

James grew up on a rural Frankfort dairy farm, Windy Hill Farms. He was self-employed, at one time,...

Jan 4, 2021

Clyde E. Borneman, 98, of Yorkville, passed away early Monday morning, January 4, 2021 at Kind Hands Senior Care Homes in Yorkville. Born December 2, 1922 in Yorkville, he was the son of Edwin and Ethel (Bretthauer) Borneman. He graduated from Yorkville High School with the class of 1941. He married Eleanor Vogen on September 20, 1945 at the Newark...

Jan 4, 2021

Carla J. Vacca

Age 63 of Coal City, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 4, 2021 at her home.

Born October 22, 1957 in Joliet, Illinois, Carla Jean was a daughter of Donald Joseph and Delores Irene (Bertino) Vacca. She attended St. John’s School for the Deaf in Wisconsin, and went on to graduate from...

Jan 4, 2021

John J. Vacca

Age 69 of Coal City, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 4, 2021 at his home.

Born November 27, 1951, John James was the son of Donald Joseph and Delores Irene (Bertino) Vacca. He was raised in Coal City; graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1969, and went...

Jan 4, 2021

Ronald “Jake” Jacobsgaard

Age 76 of Wilmington passed away Monday, January 4, 2021 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.

Born August 20, 1944 in Morris, Ronald Milton was a son of Vernon M. and Edith (Humbert) Jacobsgaard. He was raised and educated in Gardner, and graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School with the Class...

Jan 3, 2021

Patricia Lynn Kucera

Age 32 of Fairfield, formerly of Joliet and Dwight, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021 at her home.

Born January 19, 1988 in Joliet, Patricia is a daughter of David Kucera and Barbara (Edburg) Kucera. She was raised and educated in Dwight, and graduated from Dwight High School with the Class of...

Jan 1, 2021

Hazel A. Grega

Age 95 of Coal City, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at Heritage Health in Dwight.

Born November 26, 1925 in Troy Grove, Illinois, Hazel Albertha was a daughter of Russell and Mabel (Kofoid) Miller. She was raised and educated in the Troy Grove area, and at an early age went to...

Jan 1, 2021

Brenda K. Melvin

Age 78 of Coal City, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at Morris Hospital.

Born September 7, 1942 in Pontiac, Illinois, Brenda Kaye was a daughter of Eldo Arnold and Donna Louise (Ward) Brady. She was 1960 graduate of Chenoa High School, and went on to marry Roger E. Melvin on October...

Dec 30, 2020

Rev. John J. Mattson

Age 77 of Morris, Illinois and formerly of Downers Grove, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, December 30, 2020 at his home.

Born April 4, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, John Joseph was a son of Arthur E. and Ramona (nee Rostochil) Mattson. He was raised and educated in Downers Grove...

Dec 27, 2020

Betty Jane Stangland, 87, of Morris, passed away early Sunday morning, December 27, 2020 at the Morris Hospital. Born July 3, 1933 in Morris, she was the daughter of Harold and Helen (Larson) Johnson. She graduated from Morris High School with the class of 1951. Betty married Robert Stangland on April 23, 1955 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris...