Kevin Ray House

Kevin House, 42, was called home suddenly on May 28, 2025 in Franklin, Tennessee. The heartbreaking news of his passing was met with the comfort of knowing he loved and was loved by his family and friends.

Kevin was born on September 22, 1982, in Joliet, Illinois, the son of Dennis and Lori (Bertino) House. Within minutes, his twin, Keith was born and together they filled the lives of the House and Bertino families with love, joy, and laughter.

Kevin was raised in Joliet. In 2017, Kevin, with his Associate Degree in Hospitality Management in hand, followed his dream and moved to Nashville. He loved the excitement of Music City USA and made many new friends there. Kevin was awarded the Hitmaker Award from the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Corp for outstanding customer service while employed as a Bartender at the Hard Rock Café on Broadway. He had been nominated after impressing a group he was serving during their visit from New York with his personal attention to the special needs of one member of their party. During the award presentation ceremony Kevin said, “Just how I was raised. I hope that most people would go about their lives doing things like that.” That was Kevin.

Kevin met the love of his life, Nicole Freck. Having moved from Las Vegas to Nashville to follow her own dream, Nicole told everyone that Kevin had swept her off her feet and won her heart. He also won the heart of Nicole’s family and loved spending time with them. Kevin was recently blessed with permission from Scott to marry his daughter. Kevin loved Nicole.

In 2022, Nicole and Kevin made the decision to move to Franklin, Tennessee and in recent months had moved into their new condo with their two dogs, Milo and Murphy. Kevin held the position of Dining Room Manager at the Westhaven Golf Club in Franklin. It was his dream job, providing hospitality in the surroundings of the sport of golf, the sport he, his brother and Dad loved to play together. He was a proud member of the Franklin Bridge Golf Club.

Kevin was happy in his life in Tennessee, happy to be living within driving distance of Keith and Amanda, and happy to come home to Joliet for visits with family and friends. Family meant everything to him. He was a fun, giving and loving man. He knew how to light up a room with his stories, his great smile, his contagious laugh. He always had a hug for everyone. His Grama Dee always said that he had the softest and kindest heart. Everyone who knew him and loved him will miss him.

Grateful for his life and the time he was with them, Kevin will always be carried in the hearts of his parents, Dennis and Lori, his fiancée Nicole, his brother Keith and Amanda Martin, and his aunts and uncles Lynn Bertino Neville, Cindy Brown, Lew House, Linda (Dave) Seroka, David (Tami) House, and very special Great-Aunt Ellen Seeman as well as numerous cousins and their families and his second family Scott and Sheila Freck, Sara (Dennis) Macchiaverna, Brandy (Louis) Freck and Uncle Gerry. He will be especially missed by Nicholas and Ella, who adored and was adored by Uncle Kevin. Milo, Murphy, Pepper, the House dogs, and Dixie, his cherished 2020 Father’s Day gift to his Dad, will all miss him.

Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Louis and Dorothy House, Raymond and Dolores Bertino, his Uncle Doug Neville, and his Aunt Nancy House.

In Tennessee, a family brunch was provided at Westhaven Golf Club by Kevin's mentor Rick and Donna Dauer. This gave staff the opportunity to express personal stories of Kevin’s impact on their team. The family also spent an afternoon with friends from his Franklin Bridge Golf League. They will be hosting a memorial gathering for family and friends.

In Joliet, visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, June 12th from 3 – 8 PM at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home. Family and friends will gather at 9:30 AM at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home and proceed to Queen of Apostles, 18 Woodlawn Avenue, for a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 13th at 10 AM. Inurnment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family in Kevin’s name or to Lightways Hospice in honor of past services to Kevin’s loved ones would be appreciated.