Obituaries

Helen Kessler

Published by admin on Fri, 05/25/2018 - 1:38pm

COAL CITY—Helen M. Kessler, 90, of Coal City, passed away Thursday morning, May 24, 2018 at her home.
Born Nov. 15, 1927 in Morris, Illinois, Helen Marjorie was a daughter of George Ernest and Helen Mae (Broderick) Durkee. She was raised in Morris, and graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1945. On June 12, 1948, Helen married Marvin Henry Kessler in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, and together they made their home and raised their family in Coal City.

Gregory Huffines

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 10:47am

PARK FOREST—Gregory Allen Huffines, 53, of Park Forest, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights.
Born May 18, 1964, Gregory Allen was the son of Jean Huffines (nee Bever) of Park Forest and the late Vester Huffines. He was raised and educated in the Park Forest community and will be missed by all that knew him.
Per Greg's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services.
Greg will be laid to rest in the family lot at Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington at a later date.

Harold Quiram Jr.

Published by admin on Mon, 05/21/2018 - 4:07pm

GARDNER—Harold Quiram Jr., 61, of Gardner, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at Morris Hospital.
Born Dec. 30, 1956 in Chicago, Harold George was a son of Harold, Sr. and Marilyn Quiram. He was raised and educated in Wheeling, and graduated from Wheeling High School.
Harold worked for the Caterpillar Tractor Company for many years, until he could no longer work due to health conditions. He enjoyed his time at home, where he would spend as much time as he could with his grandchildren, who were very special to him.

Ron Piencak

Published by admin on Mon, 05/21/2018 - 10:02am

WILMINGTON—Ron Piencak, 76, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Elmhurst Hospital.
Born June 25, 1941 in Chicago, Ronald was a son of Joseph and Anna (Wenerski) Piencak. He was raised in Chicago, graduated from St. Casimir School in 1955, and was a member of Saint Philip Basilica High School class of 1959.

Emma Villarreal

Published by admin on Mon, 05/21/2018 - 9:57am

MORRIS—Emma Villarreal (nee Thatcher), 76, of Morris, formerly Verona and Cuevitas, TX, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Morris Hospital.
Born Nov. 21, 1941 in Cuevitas, Emma was a daughter of George and Francisca (nee Farias) Thatcher. She was raised in Cuevitas, and on Dec. 18, 1959 she married Inez Villarreal Jr. They would relocate to Verona in 1966, where they would make their home together and raise their children.

Donald Hoffman

Published by admin on Thu, 05/17/2018 - 9:41am

CUSTER PARK—Donald Joseph Hoffman, 87, of Custer Park, IL passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at his home.  
Born May 11, 1931 in Custer Twp., IL to the late Joseph and Pearl Abbie (nee Tooper) Hoffman.  Donald began working for Custer Park Elementary as a school bus driver and then as a custodian.  Following his employment with the school, he worked for Roper Factory from 1962 until the time the plant shutdown.  While maintaining his full time jobs he also farmed within the Custer Township area.  

Ruth Smith

Published by admin on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 4:18pm

GARDNER—Ruth L. Smith, 82, of Gardner, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 14, 2018 at her home.
Born July 19, 1935 in Alton, IL, Ruth Leora was a daughter of James and Leora (Watts) Moody. She worked for Casey’s General Store in Gardner as a cook for 15 years until her retirement. In her free time, Ruth enjoyed gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. She also took great pleasure in spending time with family.

Floyd A. Heckler

Published by admin on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 12:02pm

BRAIDWOOD—Floyd A. Heckler, 76, of Braidwood, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.  
Born Dec. 5, 1941 in Paris, IL, he was a son of Floyd Wayne and Daisy LaBelle (nee Stiner) Heckler. Floyd enjoyed reading his bible and talking to others about the bible and he also enjoyed target shooting. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1963-1966 and was a member of the Christian Life Assembly in Diamond.  

Gayle Kimmel

Published by admin on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 11:43am

BRACEVILLE—Gayle Kimmel, 34, of Braceville, formerly Wilmington, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2018 at her home surrounded by family.
Born May 20, 1983 in Joliet, Gayle Marie was a daughter of Angela K. Sartore, of Manteno and Ronald Kimmel, of Braidwood. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and attended Wilmington schools. Gayle was employed by Casey's General Store in Braceville, and will be remembered as a devoted mother who enjoyed the close relationships she held with her immediate family.

Mary Melvin

Published by admin on Tue, 05/15/2018 - 11:42am

WILMINGTON—Mary Melvin, 69, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at home surrounded by family.
Born Aug. 15, 1948 in Joliet, IL, Mary Ruth was a daughter of Melvin Louis and Helen Marie (Johnson) Jackson. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, and graduated from Wilmington High School with the class of 1966.