OBITUARIES

Mar 24, 2025

Richard Franzen passed away on March 24, 2025 at age 94.

Richard was born on September 17, 1930 in Joliet, IL, where he grew up. He trained to be a radar technician in the United States Air Force, gaining skills he later used to work in the electronics industry. He married Ann Elizabeth Grissinger in 1957. They settled in Joliet, where...

Mar 22, 2025

Ronald J. Fowler Sr., a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, at Silver Cross Hospital, in New Lenox, Illinois, with his beloved family by his side. Born on July 18, 1946, in Joliet, Illinois, Ron lived a life characterized by love, compassion, and a commitment to the values he held dear.

A...

Mar 22, 2025

Edward Vanisko passed away peacefully at Lightways Hospice on March 22, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born on December 23, 1937, in Joliet to John and Mary (nee Hudak) Vanisko.

 Ed was a 1955 graduate of Joliet Township High School and was employed by Commonwealth Edison for 38 years, retiring in 1994. He was a devoted husband and...

Mar 19, 2025

Carole L. Remko

Age 88, passed away Wednesday March 19, 2025 in Harlingen, TX, of Joliet.

Survived by her loving husband of 68 years J. Richard Remko; son Steven (Fiona) Remko and daughter Lynne Clevenger; granddaughters Stephanie Schmidt, Ashly Spada and Brittany Saenz; great granddaughters Chelsea Saenz and Athena Schmidt.

Born in Wausau, WI, living in Joliet and Harlingen, TX. Carole graduated from...

Mar 16, 2025

Rita L. Nelson Alsip, 87 of Shorewood passed away Sunday, March 16th, at St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet IL. Born March 19, 1937, in Somonauk, IL of Axel Burton and Emma Julia (Heminover) Nelson, she grew up part of a farming family.

After graduating from Somonauk High School in 1955, she joined the Air Force as a clerk typist. Returning to...

Feb 26, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, James R. Smith, who left us on February 26, 2025, at the age of 82. Surrounded by his loving family in his final moments, he was a man of immense selflessness and generosity, cherishing every moment spent with his loved ones. His devotion...

Feb 21, 2025

Linda Carol Cooper was born on April 29, 1953, in Osceola, Arkansas. She was one of eight children born to the late John Henry Fowlkes Sr. and Rosie Lee (Short) Fowlkes. She departed this life at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL, on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Linda was the kind of person who was tough on the outside but...

Feb 20, 2025

Ardith Davis Efner of Senior Star, Romeoville passed away Thursday February 20, 2025 at Renwick Nursing Home, Joliet.

Ardith is survived by her son David (Sylvia) Efner of Joliet; son-in-law John (Loralee deceased) Residori of Deerfield, grandchildren Suzanne (Eric) Clausen of Colorado, Robert (Meghan) of Chicago, Erin (Jesse) Ososki of California and Nathan (Megan) Efner of Austin. Also great grandchildren Alina...

Feb 19, 2025

Nicole Vergo-Pope

 Age 37, passed away Wednesday February 19, 2025 at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center.

 Survived by her loving husband Justin Pope; parents John and Kim Vergo; in-laws Richard and Wendy Pope; two brothers-in-law Ricky and Bradley Pope; maternal grandmother Kathleen Keasler; uncle Robert (Sharon) Vergo; aunt Michele (Guy) Grimmer; lifelong friends Jamie and Natalie Mannarelli; her fur babies, Tucker and...

Feb 12, 2025

Sarah Anne Nelson went to be with her Savior on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. She was born on March 18 (her father’s birthday), 1975, in Palos Heights, Illinois, to Ron and Eunice Nelson. Sarah graduated high school from God’s Bible School. She attended undergrad classes at God’s Bible School & College, Northern Kentucky University, and Trevecca Nazarene University. She then...

Feb 8, 2025

Charlotte T. Frieh, age 98, of Joliet, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, February 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Joliet, Charlotte was a lifelong resident. She graduated from Saint Francis Academy in Joliet and Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago. Her career included positions at Silver Cross Hospital, Phillips Control, and the Joliet...

Jan 31, 2025

William J. Stirratt

 Age 82, passed away suddenly, Friday January 31, 2025 at his home.

Survived by his loving wife of 60 years Sandra (McCarthy) Stirratt; children Billy (Tammy) Stirratt, Loree (Rob) Martin, Jimmy (Samantha) Stirratt, Michael (Carrie) Stirratt, Michelle Stirratt; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and one sister Shirley Hamilton.

Preceded in death by one son Steve Stirratt; parents William and Mary...

Jan 29, 2025

Ricky ‘Rick’ Lee Shulk of Grand Ridge, IL passed away peacefully at the age of 66 Wednesday January 29, 2025 at St. Anthony Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Rick was born January 30, 1958 and spent his early years in Rockdale, Il – where he was a graduate of Joliet West High School in 1976. Rick...

Jan 21, 2025

It is the working man who is the Happy Man, and it is the Idle man who is the miserable man!

-Benjamin Franklin

Terry Lee Short passed away Jan 21st, 2025 at the age of 77. He was a native of Chicago, Il and resident of Joliet, Il after moving back from Gilbertsville, Ky. Terry was the epitome of the hard-working American,...

Jan 16, 2025

Christina “Tina” Marie Bianco

Age 62, lifelong resident of Crest Hill, IL. At rest peacefully surrounded by family and friends on January 16, 2025.

Survived by her loving husband Thomas; mother-in-law Judith Bianco; sisters Susan Kovalcik and Linda (Dave) Jerling; sister-in-law Tina (Dave) Clark and Tracy (Jack Glenn) Bianco; nephew David Clark Jr. and numerous other cherished relatives and friends. She is...

Jan 8, 2025

Jan 7, 2025

David Lee Harrison

Born October 25, 1962, David, the fourth of unknown (his dad was a truck driver) to parents Horace A. and Patricia M. (neé Emmett) Harrison, and grew up in Phoenix, AZ and Chicago, IL. At 35, he met the one and only woman that could kind of tame his obnoxious and stubborn soul, Winty Glidic (Nguyen Giong Thi)....

Jan 6, 2025

Mary Lee (Klima) Repko

Mary Lee Repko, 84, of Channahon, IL passed peacefully away on January 6, 2025. The last five years were a challenge and we rejoice that she is now in Heaven, free of pain and confusion. We will miss her dearly! 

She was born July 8, 1940, in Streator, Illinois to John and Leona (Novak) Klima. She married Richard...

Jan 4, 2025

Born to parents Forrest Eugene McCormick and Anita Jane (Donovan) McCormick on September 27, 1948, in Hutchinson, Kansas, Linda, age 76, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Saturday morning, January 4, 2025 at her residence.

Linda attended elementary schools located in Medicine Lodge, Kansas and Vancouver, Washington. She was a member of the High School Class of 1966 at Enid,...

Dec 31, 2024

Adrian Guzman 

Age 50, passed away suddenly at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center, Tuesday December 31, 2024.

Survived by his daughter Taylor Guzman and one brother Armando Guzman; numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins also survive.

Preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Elvira (Medina) Guzman.

Adrian was born in Joliet and a lifelong resident. A graduate from Providence Catholic High School. Growing up...