Obituaries

Haley Donzella

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2026 - 10:54am

WILMINGTON—Haley Marie Donzella (née Quigley), of Wilmington, whose radiant spirit touched the lives of everyone she met, found her eternal beach on Feb. 25, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 29.
Haley was born on March 16, 1996, in Joliet. Although her life began in the Midwest, she found her home in Southern California, where she truly thrived. She was happiest with sand between her toes and frequently enjoyed trips to Mexico, always finding time to relax with a cold cocktail on the beach.

Gary Lee Bumgardner

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2026 - 8:51am

BRAIDWOOD—Gary Lee Bumgardner, 83, of Braidwood, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Serenity Estates in Morris.
Born July 21, 1942 in Ramsey, IL, Gary was the son of Dan and Iola (née Carter) Bumgardner. He married Linda Kay Austin on Dec. 23, 1962 in Herrick, IL, and together they shared more than 63 years of marriage devoted to family, community, and faith.
Gary worked as a millwright at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Joliet. Known for his mechanical ability and willingness to lend a hand, he also enjoyed repairing small engines.

Judy Michael

Published by admin on Mon, 03/16/2026 - 10:49am

WILMINGTON—Judy Michael, 82, of Wilmington, formerly of Brookfield, IL passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at her home.

Douglas A. Barnett

Published by admin on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 9:29am

JOLIET—Douglas A. Barnett, 77, a lifelong resident of Joliet, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 5, 2026, as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Beaver Dam, KY.
Born Jan. 9, 1949, in Joliet, Douglas Alan Barnett was the son of Donald and Nettie (Brandon) Barnett. He was raised in Joliet and graduated from Joliet West High School with the class of 1967.
Doug was currently employed with Tyson Foods as an over-the-road truck driver, a career he truly enjoyed because it allowed him the opportunity to see the country.

Jack Miller

Published by admin on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 9:00am

COAL CITY— Jack Nealy Miller, 76, passed away at his home on Tuesday Feb. 10, 2026. Jack was born in Harrisburg, IL on Oct. 14,1949.
A longtime resident of Coal City, Jack worked and retired from the Joliet Caterpillar Tractor Company for over 30 years. Jack was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his brother Frank Miller.
Preceded in death by his sons: Jack and Justin Miller; his father Jack Miller; his mother Norma Jean Riola and his sister Tania Taras.

Jason M. Burger

Published by admin on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 9:03am

BRAIDWOOD—Jason M. Burger, 49, of Braidwood, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.
Born on July 25, 1976, in Joliet, Jason Michael was a son of Mike Burger, of LaSalle and the late Angie (Ramsey) Burger. He was raised and educated in Braidwood and graduated with the class of 1994 from Reed-Custer High School.

Kenneth Zeb

Published by admin on Fri, 02/27/2026 - 11:30am

BRAIDWOOD— Kenneth Michael Zeb “Ken” 59, of Braidwood, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at Morris Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 3, 1966, to Dennis and Leona “LeeAnne” (née Reese) Zeb.

Eric Gill

Published by admin on Thu, 02/26/2026 - 9:16am

BRADLEY— Eric Von Gill, 53, of Bradley, IL formerly of Coal City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family following a brief illness.

Cynthia A. Harvey

Published by admin on Mon, 02/23/2026 - 11:17am

BRACEVILLE—Cynthia A. (Lybarger) Harvey, 57, of Braceville, formerly of Wilmington and Braidwood, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 18, 2026 at her home.
Born on Dec. 23, 1968, in Chicago, Cyndi Ann was the daughter of Lawrence Manford and Donna Jean (Schutten) Lybarger. She was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated with the class of 1987. She later attended Olivet Nazarene University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014.

Jessie Chesser

Published by admin on Thu, 02/19/2026 - 9:06am

HILLSBORO— Jessie Louise Chesser, 89 of Hillsboro, IL, formerly of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 at The ARC of Dwight Nursing Home.