Obituaries

Catherine T. Ferrari

Published by admin on Tue, 09/01/2026 - 9:20am

COAL CITY—Catherine T. Ferrari, 78, of Coal City, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026.
She was born on June 30, 1948 in Joliet to Leonard and Phyllis (nee Kodat) Fioritto. She grew up in Coal City, graduating from Coal City High School class of 1966 and continued to get together for lunch with her classmates. Cathie married her partner in life, Robert L. Ferrari, in 1972. Together they raised two sons. Cathie owned Ferrari Accounting, retiring after 40 years. She was a devoted mom and grandmother.

George Reader

Published by admin on Fri, 08/28/2026 - 9:07am

DIAMOND—George M. Reader, 90, of Diamond, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 at the Gardens at Park Pointe in Morris.
He was born on March 11, 1936 in Mazon, to George L. and Mildred (nee Brooks) Reader. He grew up in the Mazon area and attended Gardner schools. George married Joan Mallaney on March 13, 1965. He worked for the Papermill for several years then worked as a process operator at Lyondell for 19 years until his retirement.

Mary T. Grygiel

Published by admin on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 4:02pm

BRAIDWOOD—Mary T. “Pee Wee” Grygiel, of Braidwood, passed away Aug. 17, 2026. Born June 26, 1929, she was the daughter of Mabel and History Danzero. She went to Reed-Custer High School and was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. She lived in Braidwood her entire life.
On June 26, 1948 she married Chester Grygiel. They together had two sons Michael (Karen) and Gregory (Sue) and one daughter, Mary Ellen (Gary) Sanches.

Nancy Skowron

Published by admin on Mon, 08/24/2026 - 10:11am

ROMEOVILLE—Nancy Amalie (Rehor) Skowron, 94, of Romeoville, IL, passed away peacefully on Aug. 20, 2026, in Joliet.

Judith Grygiel

Published by admin on Fri, 08/21/2026 - 4:27pm

Judith Grygiel

Wilmington, IL— Judith Grygiel, a woman who was truly beautiful inside and
out, peacefully began her next journey on August 15, 2026, at the age of 83.
Born on November 1, 1942, in Joliet, IL, she was a deeply loving mother, a
remarkably gifted artist, and a bright light to everyone who knew her.

Lynn Kratochvil

Published by admin on Fri, 08/21/2026 - 9:51am

COAL CITY—Lynn W. Kratochvil, 84 and a lifelong resident of Coal City, passed away Aug. 20, 2026 at his home.
Born June 16, 1942, in Morris, Lynn Wayne was a son of Frank James and Irene (Emanuelson) Kratochvil. He was raised in Coal City, a community he was proud to call home throughout his life. Lynn graduated from Coal City High School with the Class of 1960 and went on to honorably serve his country in the United States Army.
Following his military service, Lynn built a long and dedicated career with Mobil Oil Corporation, retiring after more than 20 years of service.

Bruce S. Kester

Published by admin on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 3:39pm

PONTIAC—Bruce S. Kester, 90, of Pontiac, IL, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at Aperion Care in Wilmington. Born Feb. 3, 1936, in White Haven, PA, Bruce was the son of Gilbert and Amanda E. (née Wagner) Kester.

Thomas R. Buban

Published by admin on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 9:57am

GODLEY—Thomas R. Buban, 85, of Godley, passed away Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 at Lightways Inpatient Hospice in Joliet.
Born March 30, 1941, in Chicago, Thomas Richard was the son of Thomas and Anne (Hajcak) Buban. He moved with his family from Chicago to Godley at an early age, attended Saint Rose Parochial School, and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School with the class of 1959. Following high school, Tom attended Winona State University in Minnesota before entering the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served from June 1961 until his honorable discharge in June 1964.

Donna Calhoun

Published by admin on Tue, 08/18/2026 - 9:32am

BRAIDWOOD—Donna Jean Calhoun, 70, of Braidwood, formerly of Braceville, passed away Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Born Feb. 18, 1956, in Joliet, Donna was the daughter of Mae (Reynolds) Byerley and the late Charles Byerley. She was raised in Braceville and graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School with the class of 1974. On March 6, 1976, Donna married Michael William Calhoun at Braceville United Methodist Church. Together, they made their home in Braceville before moving to Braidwood, where they raised their daughters.

Jeanine Congalton

Published by admin on Mon, 08/17/2026 - 9:37am

FULLERTON, CA—K. Jeanine Congalton, formerly of Coal City, currently of Fullerton, CA, passed away unexpectedly earlier this month, she would have turned 70 later this month. Raised in Coal City, where she was an honor student, she completed her undergraduate degree at Illinois State and still counted her Redbird friends in her closest circle. Jeanine earned her M.A. at North Dakota State where she briefly taught early in her career before completing her Ph.D. at the University of Utah, where she created her strongest personal and academic relationships.