Obituaries

Jeremy Hicks

Published by admin on Mon, 07/30/2018 - 10:33am

WILMINGTON—Jeremy Ryan Hicks, 37, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018.

James Berta

Published by admin on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 12:03pm

DWIGHT—James A. Berta, 76, of Dwight, passed away peacefully, Thursday, July 26, 2018 at his home.
Born Feb. 28, 1942 in Joliet, Illinois, James Anthony was a son of Anton James and Mildred Frances (Trezek) Berta. He was raised in Coal City and was a 1960 graduate of Coal City High School.

Sandra Coriell

Published by admin on Fri, 07/27/2018 - 8:33am

BRAIDWOOD—Sandra “Sandy” Coriell, 71, of Braidwood, formerly of Texas, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.
Sandra was born on August 24, 1946 in Portsmouth, OH, to parents Garland and Nettie (Davis) Sparks.
Sandy enjoyed sewing with her sewing group and playing Bingo.  Most of all, she enjoyed being with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert Martis

Published by admin on Thu, 07/26/2018 - 1:21pm

COAL CITY—Robert D. Martis “Bob”, 87, of Coal City, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Morris Hospital.
Born Nov. 4, 1930 in Central City, Robert Dale was a son of Andrew and Anna (Papach) Martis. Bob was raised in Central City and educated in Gardner, graduating from Gardner South Wilmington High School.

Eldred “Rick” Johnson

Published by admin on Wed, 07/25/2018 - 11:41am

FLORIDA—Eldred “Rick” Johnson, 72, of Daytona Beach, FL, formerly of South Wilmington, passed away, Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Halifax Health-Hospice Care Center in Ormond Beach, FL.  
Born Sept. 13, 1945 in Joliet, he was the son of the late Mary Jane (nee Johnson) Klausing. Rick retired from Personal Products in Wilmington following 42 years of employment. He also enjoyed several years of employment at Harrah’s Casino in Joliet. He loved classic cars, butterflies, hot air balloons and classic movies.

Donna Sikler

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 3:48pm

WILMINGTON—Donna Sikler, 76, of Wilmington, formerly Chicago, passed away Friday, July 20, 2018 at her home.
Donna Jean was born Jan. 31, 1942 in Chicago, where she was raised and educated. On Aug. 11, 1962, she married Arnold Louis Sikler at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Chicago.
Donna was employed by World’s Finest Chocolates as a secretary for many years until her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing and gardening, and loved to shop. More than anything, Donna was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always made her family her top priority.

Mary Howard

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 3:41pm

DWIGHT—Mary Howard, 56, of Dwight and formerly of Chicago, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Morris Hospital.
Born Dec. 19, 1961 in Chicago, Mary was a daughter of Henderson and Luberda (Barron) Howard. At the age of 12, Mary moved to the Fox Developmental Center in Dwight where she would make lasting friendships and grow as a person. She always looked her best and was known for showcasing her extensive jewelry collection. She was also notorious for being "in the know" with all of the happenings. Mary will be remembered most for her beautiful smile.

Michael J. Rybak

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 2:26pm

MANTENO—Michael J. Rybak, 97, of Manteno and formerly of Chicago, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno.

Kenneth E. Gremar

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 1:05pm

GARDNER—Kenneth E. Gremar, 83, of Gardner, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.
Born Oct. 1, 1934 in Chaffee, MO, Kenneth Eugene was a son of Shearley and Rose (White) Gremar. He was raised and educated in Missouri and worked for Celotex Corporation until transitioning to Brownie Corporation in Gardner, from where he retired.
Kenny loved electric trains and was especially fond of the Frisco Train, which travelled from Missouri to California. Following his retirement he enjoyed staying busy and took pleasure in woodworking.

James Wise

Published by admin on Fri, 07/20/2018 - 8:53am

COAL CITY—James R. Wise, 78, of Coal City, passed away Tuesday July 10, 2018 at his home.
Born Sept. 11, 1939 in Evergreen Park,  James Richard was a son of Orlando Pat and Marjory (Hiatt) Wise. He was a 1957 graduate of Spalding Institute in Peoria; went on to receive his BA in Political Science from Quincy College, and later earned his Master’s in History from Indiana State University in Terre Haute.