Obituaries

Rita Blasier

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 1:42pm

ALLENTOWN, PA—Rita Adele Blasier, 87, of Allentown, PA, passed away May 25, 2018 in Waco, TX. She was the daughter of Rita Marie Cocagne and John Gregory Flaherty.
Rita was a resident of Allentown, PA for 20 years. She was a former member of St. Rose Catholic Church.
Surviving is her husband, Laurin “Ray” Blasier; children: Sue (Jim Gleason), David (Barbara), Rita (Tim Brady), Laura (Dan Bottens and Renee; grandchildren: Justin James, Laurin (Tim Weicht), Rachel and Ryan and great-grandchildren, Rylan and Adelyn.

Todd Hochreiter

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 1:40pm

MINOOKA—Todd Hochreiter, 51, of Minooka and formerly of Plainfield, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.
Born Dec. 26, 1966 in Dubuque, IA, Todd Alan was the son of Blair G. and Joyce (nee Howell) Hochreiter. He was raised and educated in Plainfield; graduated from Plainfield High School with the class of 1985, and went on to honorably serve in the United States Army.

Bessie L. Thomas

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 1:39pm

WILMINGTON—Bessie L. Thomas, 77, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 3, 2018 at her home in Wilmington.
Born Oct. 18, 1940 in Saline County, IL, Bessie was a daughter of Willie B. “Bill” and Grace Valentine (Stewart) Harris. She was raised and educated in Galatia, IL and on April 6, 1957, Bessie married Donald Ray Thomas in Galatia. He preceded her in death on Jan. 28, 2002.

Philip Mehochko Jr.

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 1:37pm

COAL CITY—Philip Mehochko Jr., 61, of Coal City, passed away Monday, June 4, 2018 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Robert Lavarier

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 10:03am

MORRIS—Robert Glenn Lavarier, 60, of Morris, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
Born Nov. 21, 1957 in Morris, Robert Glenn was a son of William and Arolette (Anderson) Lavarier. He was raised in Morris and attended Morris High School. On Nov. 11, 1977 Robert married Louanne Luck and together they made their home and raised their family in Morris. He worked as an operator with Jefferson Smurfit Corporation for over 18 years, and in his free time he enjoyed fishing, wrestling and spending time outdoors.

Arlen Scott

Published by admin on Fri, 06/01/2018 - 12:27pm

WILMINGTON—Arlen D. Scott, 79, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, May 30, 2018 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home.
Born Dec. 26, 1938 in Effingham, Illinois, Arlen Dean was a son of Walter and Esta (Webb) Scott. He graduated from Wilmington High School, and went on to honorably serve in the United States Army from 1962-1964. Arlen married Marlene Peterson in the First United Methodist Church in Wilmington, and together they made their home and raised their family in Wilmington.

Felisha Heelan

Published by admin on Fri, 06/01/2018 - 12:19pm

BRAIDWOOD—Felisha Rae Heelan, 26, of Braidwood and formerly of Braceville, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.
Born Nov. 15, 1991 in Libertyville, Illinois, Felisha Rae is a daughter of Deborah (Welz) Heelan of Gardner and David Heelan of Coal City. She was raised and educated in Braceville and attended Gardner-South Wilmington High School. Felisha enjoyed music; loved her family, and cherished time spent with her children.

Dorothy Wollgast

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 10:56am

DWIGHT—Dorothy A. Wollgast, 91, of Dwight, passed away May 26, 2018 at Evenglow Inn in Pontiac, IL.
Dorothy was born Jan. 12, 1927 in Lorenzo, IL, a daughter of Frank and Dominica “Minnie” (Fornelli) Gross. She married William B. Wollgast on Aug. 22, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Goodfarm. He passed away on Aug. 28, 2011.
Dorothy was a 4-H leader, a member of the Grundy County Home Extension, member of the Ladies Aide group at Trinity Lutheran Church in Goodfarm and worked with Bill for Labors of Christ.

Curtis E. Kurtenbach

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 10:55am

ESSEX—Curtis E. Kurtenbach, 61, of Essex, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at his home.  
Born March 8, 1957 in Fort Polk, LA, he was the son of Monte and Shirley (nee Stehlik) Kurtenbach. Curtis was an avid music lover and adored his cat, Abby.  
Surviving are aunts and uncles, Ronald and Carol Kurtenbach and Gerald Kurtenbach, of Essex; Phyllis Kurtenbach, of Vandalia, IN; Steve and Marcie Campbell and Dennis and Nelda Webster, all of Essex and 10 cousins.  

Helen Kessler

Published by admin on Fri, 05/25/2018 - 1:38pm

COAL CITY—Helen M. Kessler, 90, of Coal City, passed away Thursday morning, May 24, 2018 at her home.
Born Nov. 15, 1927 in Morris, Illinois, Helen Marjorie was a daughter of George Ernest and Helen Mae (Broderick) Durkee. She was raised in Morris, and graduated from St. Angela Academy in 1945. On June 12, 1948, Helen married Marvin Henry Kessler in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, and together they made their home and raised their family in Coal City.