Obituaries

George Bowen

Published by admin on Fri, 11/14/2025 - 8:56am

DIAMOND— George L. Bowen, 79, of Diamond, passed away at his home on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Brenda J. Kooiman

Published by admin on Tue, 11/11/2025 - 9:54am

GARDNER—Brenda J. Kooiman, 75, of Gardner, passed away at Loyola University Medical Center on Oct. 24, 2025, after a short illness.
Brenda was born in Muskegon, MI on May 11, 1950, to parents William Yburt Kooiman and Helen Kooiman Calandriello. Brenda went to high school in Franklin, TN. She worked at Federal Paperboard, Copper Popper, and other factories in Illinois.

Theresa C. O'Connor

Published by admin on Tue, 11/11/2025 - 9:52am

WILMINGTON—Theresa C. O'Connor, 89, of Wilmington passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet. A devoted wife, mother, cherished grandmother, and faithful sister, cousin and friend, Theresa C. O’Connor lived a life rooted in faith and family. She touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy of kindness.

AnnaMarie Read

Published by admin on Mon, 11/03/2025 - 10:35am

DIAMOND—AnnaMarie Read, 62, of Diamond, and formerly of Channahon, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.
Born on Oct. 10, 1963, in Joliet, AnnaMarie is the beloved daughter of Geraldine “Gerry” (Lamping) Super, of Channahon and the late Lawrence “Larry” Super. She grew up in Channahon and was a graduate of Minooka High School with the class of 1981. On Oct. 27, 1984, AnnaMarie married the love of her life, Gary Read, in Minooka. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two daughters who were the center of her world.

Viola Gebhardt

Published by admin on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 9:03am

MORRIS— Viola Ruth Gebhardt, 88 of Morris, IL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 28th, 2025 at Serenity Estates, in Morris with her loving family by her side.
Born on Nov. 21, 1936 in Braidwood,  Viola was the oldest child of George and Lucille (Lewis) Poppleton. She grew up and was schooled in Mazon, graduating with the class of 1956. She then married Glenn Marvin Gebhardt at the Mazon Methodist Parsonage, on March 30th, 1957. They enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his passing on Sept. 2nd, 2006.

Elizabeth Walsh

Published by admin on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 8:50am

BRAIDWOOD— Elizabeth Walsh, 64 of Braidwood, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL.

Mary Anne Sears

Published by admin on Tue, 10/28/2025 - 9:07am

WILMINGTON—Mary Anne Sears (nee Kelly), 77, of Wilmington and previously of Bolingbrook, IL and Peekskill, NY, passed away on Oct. 24, 2025.
Born on May 18, 1948, in the Bronx, NY, Mary Anne was the daughter of the late Edwin and Kathryn (Clancy) Kelly and the stepdaughter of Veronica (Ebner) Kelly. She attended Assumption School and Ladycliff Academy in New York, and later a secretarial school in New York City.

Joe Bexson

Published by admin on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 12:52pm

MADISON, WI—Joe M. Bexson, 56, of Madison, WI and formerly of Gardner, IL passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 19, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee, OK.
Born on Aug. 20, 1969, in Morris, Joe is the beloved son of Kay Bell and Joe Bexson, Sr. both of Gardner. He was raised in Gardner and graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1987.

Allan Vrdsky

Published by admin on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 8:45am

WILMINGTON— Allan A. Vrdsky, 91 of Wilmington, and formerly of Chicago, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2025 surrounded by family at his home.

Ellis Schott

Published by admin on Tue, 10/21/2025 - 11:54am

BRACEVILLE—Ellis Ray Schott, 96, of Braceville passed away peacefully at his home on Oct. 21, 2025.
He was born Nov. 26, 1928 in Pontiac to Howard and Mabel Schott. Ellis married the love of his life, Delores (nee Leonard) on Sept. 18, 1948. They would go on to have seven children.