Obituaries

Marilyn Kay Tucker

Published by admin on Tue, 05/31/2022 - 10:18am

WILMINGTON—Marilyn Kay Tucker (nee Niehls), 82, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.
Born Nov. 12, 1939 in Cowden, IL, Marilyn Kay was a daughter of Walter and Clarissa (nee Nichols) Niehls. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School. She went on to attend beauty school, and later in life was proud to have completed EMT training in the state of Florida.

Kathie Spreitzer

Published by admin on Fri, 05/27/2022 - 10:38am

BLACKSTONE— Kathie Sue Spreitzer, 70 of Blackstone, IL and formerly Morris, died Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL.
Born February 9, 1952 in Morris, Kathie was a daughter of LeRoy Wayne and Gloria Maxine (Fraley) Harrington. She was raised in Morris and graduated from Morris High School with the Class of 1970.
Kathie loved the outdoors, camping and animals. She also took pleasure in writing poetry and singing. Kathie will be remembered as a true ‘people person’ who cherished family.

Theodore Smith

Published by admin on Fri, 05/27/2022 - 10:25am

COAL CITY, Theodore “Pidge” Smith, 77, of Coal City, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale, IL. Born Feb. 1, 1945 in Joliet, to the late Theodore Roosevelt and Marguerite (nee Albrecht) Smith. Graduate of the Coal City High School with the class of 1963 and attended U of I and Parson's College. He served in the Army National Reserves. Pidge first formerly owned and operated Smith Lanes and then went on to own Smith Hardware Store for over thirty years, both in Coal City. He was a member of every type of organization, club, or board.

Cherrell Thomas

Published by admin on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 9:05am

ESSEX— Cherrell A. Thomas (nee O’Dell), 61, of Essex, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 22, 2022 at home surrounded by her family. She was born May 5, 1961 in Geneva, IL and was raised and educated in St. Charles, IL. She was a dedicated employee for the TownPlace Suites in Joliet, where she enjoyed working as the guest service lead. Cherrell had family everywhere she went, whether it was her immediate family, work family, or Sportsman Club family, she had love to spread everywhere.

Mariella Sistek

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 1:12pm

DIAMOND—Mariella Sistek, 84, of Diamond, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at her home.
Born June 28, 1937 in Joliet, Mariella was a daughter of William Charles and Merle Spellman (Wilson) Vigliocco. She was raised in Coal City; graduated from Coal City High School with the class of 1955, and on Aug. 19, 1956, married Robert D. Sistek in her grandmother’s home in Coal City.

Dorothy Hedgecock

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 1:00pm

COAL CITY—Dorothy "June" Hedgecock (nee Haldorson), 91 of Coal City, and a longtime resident of Momence, IL, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.
Born June 23, 1930 in Joliet, Dorothy June was the 10th of 14 born to Charles Joseph and Gertrude Evelyn (Howard) Haldorson. At the age of 4, June moved from Symerton with her family to the family farm which was established on Whitetie Road north of Carbon Hill.

Penny Lynn Crawford

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 12:41pm

WILMINGTON—Penny Lynn Crawford, “Pooh Bear,” 47, of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on May 22, 2022.
Born Sept. 22, 1974 in Joliet, Penny was a daughter of Johnny Lee Crawford Sr., of Wilmington and the late Louise “Bingo” Kozel (nee Palmer). She was raised and educated in Wilmington and worked over the years bartending at Custer’s Last Stand and Snookers.
One who enjoyed being outdoors, Penny loved her dogs and always had a Chihuahua. Family was of utmost importance to her and she cherished her family, kids and grandkids.

Donna Orolin

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 12:14pm

BRACEVILLE—Donna Jean Orolin, 78, of Braceville, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Morris Hospital. Born Nov. 1, 1943 in Coal City, Donna Jean was a daughter of Steve and Frances Lydia (Vodacek) Orolin. She was a graduate of Gardner South-Wilmington High School and was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City. Donna worked for AkzoNobel for 26 years as a Custodian Engineer, and in her free time took pleasure in ceramics, sewing, quilting, baking, and watching TV. Donna enjoyed dining out and spending time with her puppy, Lucy.

Steven M. McCrory

Published by admin on Mon, 05/23/2022 - 10:26am

WILMINGTON—Steven M. McCrory, 68, of Wilmington, formerly of Morris, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2022 at his home with his family at his side.

Theodore Baburek

Published by admin on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 3:01pm

MORRIS—Theodore "Ted" Baburek, 63, of Morris, passed away May 8, 2022.
Born Oct. 7, 1958 in Blue Island, IL, Theodore Paul, known by many as Ted or Teddy, was a son of Theodore Joseph Baburek Sr. and MaryJean Ahern-Bright. He grew up in Illinois and California, calling home Oak Lawn, IL; Stockton, CA; Burbank, IL; Hayward, CA; Hometown, IL and Chicago Ridge, and graduated from Oak Lawn High School with the class of 1976.