Obituaries

Dean E. Plese Sr.

Published by admin on Mon, 06/29/2020 - 11:10am

Dean E. Plese Sr. died peacefully at home on June 26, 2020 with his beloved wife and children by his side. He was born at the Plese Family farm on West River Road on Jan. 22, 1937 to John and Margaret (Berta) Plese, the sixth of their seven children, educated in Wilmington area schools including the one-room Johnson Schoolhouse and St. Rose School before graduating from Braidwood High School in 1954.

William J. Klegman

Published by admin on Mon, 06/29/2020 - 10:32am

DIAMOND—William J. “Jersey” Klegman, 66, of Diamond, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Morris Hospital.
He was born Sept. 23, 1953 in Joliet, to William E. and Ruth Ann (nee Connors) Klegman. He graduated from Coal City High School with the class of 1972. Jersey served his country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He married Debra Telfer on Dec. 3, 1988 in Morris.

James M. Strong Sr.

Published by admin on Mon, 06/29/2020 - 10:31am

WILMINGTON—James M. Strong Sr., “Jim,” 76, of Wilmington, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020 at his home.
Born Jan. 11, 1944 in Joliet, James Martin was a son of James and Marie (nee Sheets) Strong. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School. Jim enlisted into the United States Air Force, and served honorably from 1962 to 1967. On Jan. 8, 1966, he married Adeline Victoria Marrs in Rapid City, SD.

Pat Neville

Published by admin on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 11:16am

BOURBONNAIS— Pat Neville,83, of Bourbonnais, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2020 at her home.
She was born October 31, 1936 in Joliet, the daughter of Joseph & Evelyn (Klover) Hermes. Pat graduated from St. Francis Academy and attended the College of St. Francis in Joliet. Pat married Keith Neville on September 2, 1961 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington.

Gary L. Hank

Published by admin on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 9:03am

WILMINGTON— Gary L. Hank, 64, of Wilmington, and formerly of Lockport, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 with his loving family by his side.
Born on November 10, 1955 in Joliet. Gary graduated from Lockport Township High School in 1974. He retired from JLM Plastics in Joliet as a plant foreman and was a very active member of the YMCA Indian Guides Program. He loved racing, fishing and spending time outdoors. He was a proud and devoted father who will be missed greatly.

Beverly McElroy

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 1:29pm

BRAIDWOOD— Beverly McElroy (nee Begler), 91, of Braidwood, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Heritage Health Nursing Home in Dwight.

James "Whitey" White

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 8:50am

GARDNER—James Allan “Whitey” White, 69, of Gardner, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2020 at the Morris Hospital.
Whitey was born April 5, 1951 in Morris, IL. to Walter and Margaret “Betty”(nee Blair) White. He graduated from Morris High School Class of 1969 and went on to Joliet Junior College. Whitey served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973. He married Christine Welsh on July 25, 1970 in Mazon.

Lorene Roseland

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 12:08pm

COAL CITY—Lorene Roseland, 93, and lifelong resident of Coal City, passed away Monday, June 22, 2020 at Park Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Morris.

Beverly J. Kuzel

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 10:43am

COAL CITY—Beverly J. Kuzel, 87, of Coal City, passed away Monday, June 22, 2020 at Joliet Area Hospice Home. She was born March 20, 1933 in Morris, the daughter of Joseph and Daisy Olson.
Bev was raised and educated in Morris. She excelled in baton twirling in high school and was listed in the “Who's Who” Yearbook for baton twirling. She taught twirling and performed at different festivals throughout the area. Bev was interested in fashion and was a model early in her career.

Shelly K. Veronda

Published by admin on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 10:17am

CARBON HILL—Shelly K. Veronda, 48, of Carbon Hill, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2020 at her home.
Shelly was born Nov. 7, 1971 in Joliet to Andrew J. “Bugs” Jr. and Kay D. (nee Johnson) Veronda. She attended Coal City High School. In 1988, she began working for Coal Valley Pizza/Pizza by Marchelloni’s/Geo’s Pizza as a cook and delivery person and continued working there for 32 years. She also was employed for some time at WAM Quality Cleaning/Grundy Supply.