Obituaries

Mary J. DeLong

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:48:11 -0600

DWIGHT – Mary J. DeLong, 87, of Dwight passed away at 4:40 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her family.
Mary was born in Dwight September 4, 1924, the daughter of Albert and Emma Hallam Dransfeldt. She married Claude J. DeLong, Jr. March 3, 1947 in St. Louis. He passed away May 8, 2010. They were happily married for 63 years.
Surviving are one son, Ronald (Trudy)DeLong of Dwight; two daughters: Kathleen (Roger) Patterson of Shell Knob, Missouri; and Susan (Donald) Alger of Coral Springs, Florida; one daughter-in-law, Suzanne DeLong of Dwight.
Surviving grandchildren: Ronald DeLong of Bloomington; Timothy DeLong of Stuart, Florida; Mari Patterson Jenner of Pompano Beach, Florida; Mark Patterson of Ward, Colorado; Jonathan DeLong of Dwight; Lindsay DeLong-Stender of Moline; Kristin Alger June of Hillsboro, Oregon; Stephanie Alger of Tallahassee, Florida; Amy and Ryan Alger of Coral Springs, Florida; two step-grandchildren:Brian Beling of Batavia and Stephanie Beling of Chicago; 12 great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her lifelong friends, Jean Zabel, Lorraine Patten and Allie Riber.
Also preceding Mary in death were her parents; one son, Donald DeLong; brothers, Jim and Clifford Dransfeldt; and sisters: Muriel Fleeman and Florence Delany.
Mary graduated from Dwight High School in 1941 and was a homemaker and an excellent cook. She was a member of the Dwight Unit- ed Methodist Church.
Her favorite pastimes included spending time in Florida with her daughter, Susan, and her family; and having morning coffee with her friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her cheerful, positive attitude and great sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Her funeral was Friday, January 27, at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. Pastor Heidi Punt officiated.
Burial: Oak Lawn Cemetery, Dwight.
Memorials may be made to OSF Hospice Homecare, 608 N. Ladd St., Pontiac IL 61764; Les Turner ALS Foundation, 5550 W. Touhy Ave., Ste. 302, Skokie, Illinois 60077-3254; or to the donor’s choice.
On-line condolences to: www.hagermemorialhome. com

Eleina Katherine Douglas

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:00:28 -0600

GARDNER – Eleina Katherine Douglas, 99, a lifelong resident of Gardner, passed away Saturday evening, January 28, 2012 at Walnut Grove Village in Morris.
The family will receive friends Thursday, February 9, from 4 p.m. until time of the memorial service at 7 p.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 Liberty Street, Gardner. Pastor Jan Chand- ler from Church of Hope will officiate.
A private family inurnment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Dwight, where Eleina will be laid to rest next to her husband, Alvin.
Born February 16, 1912 in Gardner, Eleina was a daughter of Tracy and Mary Lauridsen-Storm. Family, grandkids and great-grandkids were the true joys of Eleina’s life, and she loved attending the kids’ activities.
Eleina enjoyed canning fruit and vegetables for over 80 years from when she began at the age of 15 until the age of 95. She also gardened and raised strawberries and raspberries. Eleina will be remembered for her cooking and baking, and was known for her pot roast and pumpkin pies.
She was a member of the Church of Hope in Gardner.
Survivors include her three children: Earla Mae (Ray) Bell of Wyoming and Marjorie Flynn and Mary Black, both of Wilmington; grandchildren: Doug Warriner and Kandi (Jay) Cocream of Morris; James Flynn, Mark (LaRae) Flynn and Lanette (Dion) Tjelle of Wilmington; Rodney (Jodi) Flynn of Bonfield; Ginger (Chuck) Wuchter of Wilmington; Phil Cryder of Chicago; Owen (Michelle) Black of Hennepin; and Shelly Black of Wilmington.
Twenty-four great-grand- children also survive: Dougie, J.R., Ashley, Danielle, Derek, Shana, Skylar, Landon, Mikie, Simone, Tara, Brooke, Dillon, Devin, Becca, Chelsey, Katie, Hayley, Allison, Cody, Garrett, Chandler, Lexi and Phoenix.
One brother, Robert (Connie)Storm of Gardner and two sisters: Lorraine Willhoit of Diamond and Dolly Morrison of Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, also survive.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Eleina’s memory to The Church of Hope, 202 Monroe Street, Gardner, IL 60424.
Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Mary Jane Smith

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:39:38 -0600

DWIGHT – Mary Jane Smith, 77, of Dwight passed away at 12:35 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Asta Care Center, Pontiac.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., Friday, February 3, at Hager Memorial Home, Dwight.
Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the memorial home with Rev. Lance Leeds officiating.
Burial: Oak Lawn Cemetery, Dwight.
Mary Jane was born February 16, 1934 in Kincaid, the daughter of Alfred and Mary Myretta May Dodd. She married John A. Himan, Sr., December 29, 1951. He passed away in August 1970.
She married Elmer Smith, Jr. June 19, 1982.
Surviving are her husband, Elmer of Dwight; daughter, Jackie (Jeff) Jardine of Dwight; step-daughters: Mary (Rick) Johnson; Beth (Troy) Johnson and Sandy (Ed) Distel; sons: John Himan, Jr. of Wilmington and Jerry (Shawna) Himan of Kirksville; step-son, James Smith; one brother, Charles Dodd of Ohio.
Also surviving are grandchildren: Joshua Himan, Nicole (Todd) Craig, Sean Jardine, Joshua Jardine, Andrea (Ryan) Longtin, Stephanie Fisher; great- grandchild, Betsy Craig; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and special friends.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers, Alfred Dodd and James Dodd; and son, James Arthur Himan, who was stillborn.
Mary Jane was a Methodist. She worked as a certified nursing assistant at Heritage Manor, Dwight, and Fountain View in Eldo- rado, until her retirement. She genuinely cared for the residents and they were very fond of her. She was known as “Mama Jane” to her co- workers. Mary Jane was a loving mother, grandmother, friend and wife.
Memorials may be directed to her family.
Online condolences to: www.hagermemorialhome. com

Sharon R. Breen

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:55:16 -0600

BRACEVILLE – Sharon R. Breen, 56, of Braceville passed away peacefully Friday, January 27, 2012.
Visitation and video tribute will be held today, Wednesday, February 1, from 4 p.m. until the time of the 7 p.m. service at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 N. Broadway, Coal City. Rev. Robert Noeson from Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City will officiate.
Interment will follow Thursday, February 2, at 10 a.m. in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Braidwood. Family and friends wishing to attend the graveside services may meet at the cemetery.
Sharon was born November 14, 1955 in Joliet. She was a daughter of the late Mike and Irene Brzoska-Tessler. She was raised and educated in Braceville, and graduated from Reed-Custer High School.
Sharon was employed at Amoco in Joliet, Testa’s in Braidwood, and most recently at Casey’s in Braceville for the past 15 years. She will be remembered for her generosity when it came to others, and her outgoing personality.
She will be forever loved and missed by her loving companion and caretaker, Jim Harvey; her children: Tom (Emily) Breen of Ohio; Ryan (Jessica Barfell) Whalen of Diamond; and Matt Whalen of Braceville.
Also surviving are her sister, Arlene (Rich Dransfeldt) McLuckie of Coal City; and brothers: Mike (Pam) Tessler and Jerry (Peggy) Tessler, both of Braidwood; three grandchil- dren: Chase Breen and Joshua and Jillian Whalen; her dear Uncle Lenny and Aunt Jeanette Brzoska of Arlington Heights; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her faithful companion, Taz.
Sharon was also preceded in death by her uncle Casmi- er and aunt Dorothy Brzoska.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Sharon’s memory to her family for distribution to charities of their choosing.
Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Eleanor R. Gerrish

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:51:27 -0600

SOUTH WILMINGTON– Eleanor R. Gerrish, 86, of South Wilmington passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at Heritage Health: Therapy and Senior Care in Dwight.
Eleanor was born February 10, 1925 in South Wilm- ington to Albert and Frances Andruskevitch Ulbrich.
She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington.
She retired from the U.S. Postal Service in South Wilmington after 25 years of employment. She was an avid Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls fan. Eleanor enjoyed crocheting and playing cards with her sisters. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are two sons: Mick (Virginia) Gerrish and Bill (Chris) Gerrish, both of Gardner; three grandchildren: Vanessa (John) Strougal, Erica (Duane) DeMichele, and Michael (Kristi) Gerrish; six great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Camden and Trenton Strougal; Devin and Rylan
DeMichele; and Lillian Gerrish; one brother, Norbert (Roberta) Ulbrich of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Charles Gerrish, whom she married December 16, 1950 in South Wilmington; three sisters: Marilyn Patterson, Louise Domagala, and Bernice Hampson; and two brothers: George and William Ulbrich.
Funeral services were from the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd., South Wilmington Chapel, Saturday, January 28, to a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington.
Visitation was Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
Interment: Braceville-Gardner Cemetery, Braceville.
Memorial donations may be directed to a very special friend of Eleanor and Charles, Megan Grygiel, who is suffering from osteo-sarcoma. Donations can be made to the Megan Grygiel Benefit Fund, 906 W. Jefferson St., Shorewood, IL 60404.