Obituaries

Peggy Newell

Published by admin on Tue, 01/21/2020 - 10:13am

PARIS, IL—Peggy Lee Newell, 72, of Paris, IL, formerly of Morris, passed away Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, at her residence.
She was born June 15, 1947, in Tamaha, OK, the daughter of Abby and Lenora (Reynolds) Bryant. Peggy enjoyed crocheting and shopping and loved spending time with her family.

Herman V. Schaefer Jr.

Published by admin on Tue, 01/21/2020 - 10:09am

GRUNDY COUNTY—Herman V. Schaefer Jr., a lifelong resident of Grundy County, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.

Barbara Taylor

Published by admin on Mon, 01/20/2020 - 3:09pm

MAZON—Barbara Sue (Harris) Taylor, 86, of Mazon, passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2020 at Heritage Health in Dwight.
Barbara was born Jan. 6, 1934 in Galatia, IL to Brooks and Callie (Upchurch) Harris. She was raised and educated in Galatia and at the age of 19 she and her friends headed north and gained employment at the Manteno State Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Lester E. Taylor, who she married May 29, 1954.

Joyce Byland

Published by admin on Mon, 01/20/2020 - 11:06am

MINOOKA—Joyce Byland, 83, of Minooka, passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Dwight.

Christine L. Zombeck (nee Kruk)

Published by admin on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 10:29am

BRAIDWOOD— Christine L. Zombeck (nee Kruk), 68, of Braidwood, IL passed away Wednesday, Jan.15, 2020 at Morris Hospital.
Born Sept. 10, 1951 in Blue Island, IL to the late William and Garnet (nee Stroup) Kruk.
Christine retired from Precision Components in 2016 after twenty-three years of employment. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and most of all enjoyed baking with her grandchildren. She was known for her selfless kind spirit. She greatly enjoyed taking care of people and animals, especially her cats.

Shirley A. (Karl) Thiers

Published by admin on Thu, 01/16/2020 - 8:51am

COAL CITY— Age 78 of Coal City passed away at her home on Jan. 14, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
Born July 15, 1941 in Peru, IL, Shirley Ann was the only child of Joseph and Estelle (Glogowski) Karl. She was raised in the Catholic Faith and schools in Peru.
Shirley was a stay at home mom and later worked a few various jobs, including at Rockwell International in Downers Grove, Illinois. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church and loved her faith.

James "Gus" Gustafson

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2020 - 8:50am

WILMINGTON— James “Gus” Gustafson, 81, of Wilmington, passed away Monday morning, Jan. 14, 2020 at AMITA Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.
Born Jan. 2, 1939 in Joliet, James Ronald was a son of Henry and Marietta (Donaldson) Gustafson. He was raised in Joliet, graduated from Joliet Township High School, and went on to honorably serve in the United States Air Force. On Dec. 28, 1982, Gus married Bernie (nee Mitchell) in the First Church of God in Shorewood, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 6, 2016.

Robert G. Brown

Published by admin on Tue, 01/14/2020 - 10:50am

RITCHIE—Robert G. Brown, 81, a lifelong resident of Ritchie, passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at his home.
Born June 7, 1938 in Ritchie, Robert Glenn was a son of Harry Glenn and Genevieve Lucille “Jean” (Muncey) Brown. He was raised in Ritchie and educated in the Wilmington public schools.

Raymond L. Bottens

Published by admin on Tue, 01/14/2020 - 10:42am

COAL CITY—Raymond L. Bottens, 84, of Coal City, passed away Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.
Born March 9, 1935 in Ripley County, MO,Raymond Leslie was a son of Everett N. and Lucy Irene (Gomer) Bottens. He was raised in Cherryvale, KS; graduated from Cherryvale High School with the class of 1953, and went on to marry Doris E. Alexander on March 14, 1954.

William A. Van Arkel

Published by admin on Mon, 01/13/2020 - 11:02am

DIAMOND—William A. Van Arkel, 78, of Diamond and originally of Chicago, passed away Jan. 10, 2020 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.
He was born Nov. 11, 1941 in Evergreen Park, IL to William T. and Bertha Mae (Andrews) Van Arkel. William married Carolyn Sanders on Jan. 18, 1964 in Chicago.
He was a heavy equipment operator for 34 years for Local 150 and retired in 2002. William was a lifetime member of the N.R.A., the Illinois Sheriffs Association and Illinois State Police Association. He enjoyed shooting guns and helping others. William was a friend to all.