Coal City Courant

07/18/2024

Dennis enjoyed watching the stock market daily, shopping for cars or just about anything that was a good deal, attending estate sales and auctions.

WILMINGTON—Dennis P. Walsh, 69, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at his home with his family at his side. Dennis was born May 7, 1955. Dennis was a graduate of Joliet East High School. He was born and raised on a farm in Elwood. Dennis worked his entire adult career...

07/18/2024

Beyond her professional life, Judith found joy in simple pleasures; she was an avid reader and took delight in solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles.

WILMINGTON— Judith M. Sizemore, 82, formerly of Bridgeview, Chicago and Crest Hill, IL, passed away Monday evening, July 16, 2024 at Aperion Care of Wilmington. Born Dec. 23, 1941 in Chicago, Judith Marie was the daughter of Stanley and Bernice (Ostrowski) Borucki. She was raised and educated in C...

07/18/2024

Dean never let the challenges that life dealt him affect his always cheerful outlook toward people and life in general. He simply saw the good in others.

WILMINGTON—Dean E. Plese, Jr., 64, of Wilmington passed away on July 16, 2024 due to complications from bacterial pneumonia. Born in Joliet in 1960, Dean was the first of Dean and Judy Plese's six children, growing up in the family's home on Widows Road and was a lifelong resident of Wilmington. G...

07/18/2024

I-55 NEW UPDATE—IDOT reported at 7:30 that all lanes are open in both directions. Here are photos from ComEd of the damage to their lines at Arsenal Road.

07/17/2024

Thank you ComEd!

Thankfully, electricity is back on for most of Coal City as ComEd crews worked non-stop to repair a major power line that fell onto Interstate 55 around 9:30 p.m. Monday. Homeowners north of Division Street got their power back shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday. By 1 p.m., 120 of 2,720 customers had th...

07/17/2024

07/17/2024

Where is your local newspaper? It's online for FREE! That's because the company who prints us, the Chicago Tribune production facility in Schamburg, IL had a power surge Monday which knocked out its press. It will be printed hopefully today. We're giving everyone full access to our digital edition. Just go to our website and click on the icon at top for which edition you want to read. Thanks for understanding http://freepressnewspapers.com/

07/16/2024

Beyond his talents in woodworking, Colin found solace and joy in strumming the guitar, writing music, and creating poetry.

CHICAGO—Colin F. Maher, 42, of Chicago and formerly of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Born on May 25, 1982, in Downers Grove, IL, Colin was the son of Moira (Wayne) Shoger, of Wilmington and the late Terrence Sutte. He received his education and graduated from ...

07/16/2024

Gary was awarded a Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam. His love of country was shown in his dedication to honoring veterans alongside his fellow honor guard members.

DIAMOND—Gary R. Skubic, 74 of Diamond, IL, died peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Born June 20, 1950 in Joliet, Gary Raymond was a son of Raymond John and Helen (Girot) Skubic. He was raised in Coal City and graduated from Coal City High School with the Clas...

07/16/2024

Juan was a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 241 in Wilmington, IL, where he was very active with the Moose Riders.

GODLEY—Juan C. Duran, 45, of Godley, IL, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at his home. Born August 31, 1978 in Cavillo Aquascaliente, Mexico, Juan Carlos is a son of Cenovio and San Juana Martinez Duran. He was raised in Mexico and emigrated to the United States, where he would work as...

07/10/2024

There was nothing Dennis loved more than being out for a long ride on his Goldwing.

Milan, TN—Dennis E. Cox, 79, of Milan, TN, formerly of Wilmington, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024 at his home. Born Feb. 4, 1945 in Hammond, IN, Dennis Edward was a son of Edward and Bessie (Bumgardner) Cox. He was raised and educated in Decatur, IL and went on to enlist in the United States Arm...

07/09/2024

Louis enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking and spending time with his granddaughter, and great-grandsons.

DIAMOND—Louis Wayne Jackson, “Bud, ”85, of Diamond, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born May 5, 1939, he was the son of Louis Ernest and Anne (nee Kratochvil) Jackson. Louis married Brenda Lee Seal on May 20, 1961 at the First Southern Baptis...

07/09/2024

Jack enjoyed spending time with his family, especially trips to gun competitions with his grandsons where they won many awards, which made him very proud.

COAL CITY—John W. “Jack” Aichele, 87, of Coal City, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at his home with his wife by his side. He was born Nov. 15, 1936 to Arthur and Martha (Layman) Aichele. He grew up on the south side of Chicago. From 1955 to 1957 he was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne a...

07/09/2024

UPDATE: E Spring Rd from Broadway to tracks will be closed for repairs Thursday and Friday.

E Spring Rd railroad tracks will be closed today and Friday for repairs.

07/09/2024

Jean was a social butterfly, with a gift for striking up a conversation with anyone she met and had many great friendships throughout her years.

GARDNER—Jean Stedman, 90, of Gardner, formerly of Joliet, passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, in her home. Born April 2, 1934 in Ruleville, MS, Jean was a daughter of Thomas and Leo (Clark) Hanna. She was raised and educated in Mississippi and then married her late husband, James Stedman. Jean had...

07/08/2024

Thomas enlisted into the U.S. Air Force to serve his country four years. He returned to his small-town roots and worked at the Braidwood Nuclear Generation Station until he retired in 2008.

Thomas Adams, 73, of Wilmington, formerly of Dwight, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Born July 21, 1950 in Kankakee, Thomas Francis was a son of Francis and Ruth Adams. He would begin his life in Dwight and graduated Dwight High School with the class of 196...

07/08/2024

Crimestoppers and secretary for the Community Nutrition Network, as well as treasurer of the MVK Ambulance Board and past member of the Verona Zoning Board.

OHIO—Sherry McIntosh, 76, of Ohio, formerly of Diamond and Verona passed away Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Akron, OH. Born Sept. 14, 1947 in McLeansboro, IL, Sherry was a daughter of Herschel Campbell and Nadine (Mitchell) Duay. She was raised and educated in McLeansboro ...

07/08/2024

Marie was known for her amazing cooking and baking. Her specialties were bagna cauda, polenta, lemon squares and rum cake.

COAL CITY—Marie Votta Swanson, 97, of Coal City, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2024. She was born on Aug. 6, 1927, to Albert Votta and Kathryn Vaira Votta, formerly of Braidwood. Marie attended Braidwood High School, class of 1945, and was active in arranging all her class reunions. Sh...

07/08/2024

He enjoyed the company of his goods friends while they sat with a cold beer in the garage.

ESSEX—Edwin Ray McCorkle Jr., 92, of Essex, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at his home. Born on Jan. 27, 1932 in Roberts, IL, he was the son of Edwin Ray and Helen (nee Boyd) McCorkle. On Oct. 12, 1952 he married Darlene Louise Beever in Kankakee. Together they raised their family in Essex...

07/08/2024

Lorraine volunteered for many causes including the Royal Neighbors of America, president of the Southeastern Grundy County Senior Citizens, president of the Braceville-Gardner Cemetery Association, United Lutheran Church of Gardner and member of the Dorcas Circle and ULCW.

GARDNER—Lorraine Carol Hansen (nee. Freeland), 95, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, at her home in Gardner surrounded by family. Lorraine was born in Morris to Annita and Arling Freeland on April 12, 1929. She lived in Gardner most of her life. She was a graduate of Gardner-South Wilmington...

07/08/2024

Grundy County needs your input! What do you want Grundy County to look like in 5, 10, 15 years? What do you think are the most pressing issues? Opportunities?

The GEDC, the Grundy Chamber, and TIP Strategies are seeking the perspectives of Grundy County residents and business leaders as they develop a strategic plan to diversify the County's economy. These short surveys will be open through July 19.

Resident Survey: http://bit.ly/grundyresident

Business Survey: http://bit.ly/grundybusiness

Thank you for helping to shape the plan for Grundy's future economy!

Grundy Resiliency Project

07/08/2024

07/03/2024

HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
OPENS IN 3 WEEKS!
July 19-21 • CC Performing Arts Center

🎟️: bit.ly/CCTDTickets

COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.

HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

07/03/2024

Mary was an accomplished seamstress, often found crafting cheerleading outfits and dresses for her girls, a testament to her loving nature

WASHINGTON ISLAND, WI— Mary Esther Peterson-Bever, 96, of Washington Island, WI passed away at 11:18 a.m., Sunday, June 30, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Monroe City, MO. Graveside Services will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery in Enterprise KS. Mary was born Nov. 23, 1927, in Ch...

07/02/2024

What a fun addition for Campbell Park

Hunter Patterson believes Coal City families should play games together, and he knows exactly how to make that happen. An Eagle Scout candidate, Patterson loves chess, and he wants to share his passion for the game with the community. The Eagle Scout Service Project is the opportunity for a scout in...

07/02/2024

Shawn worked for Williams Concrete in Coal City and was a familiar face at The Rustic Inn in Wilmington where he bartended.

WILMINGTON—Shawn Scheel, 67, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Born Aug. 25, 1956 in Joliet, Shawn Russell was a son of Alice (nee Henkelman) and the late Vernon "Skip" Scheel. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wil...

07/02/2024

Felicia dedicated her career to public service, working as a project manager first with the Corps of Engineers and later with the Department of Energy.

WILMINGTON—Felicia L. Alberico, 76, of Wilmington, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. Born Sept. 20, 1947 in Springfield, TN, Felicia Lane was a daughter of William Moore and Hilda Marie (Hayes) Nunley. She was raised in Wilmington and graduated fro...

07/01/2024

Lester worked part time as a gate guard at the South Wilmington Firemen's Beach and Park Club and gave back to his community with his volunteerism.

SOUTH WILMINGTON—Lester William Rury, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at his home in South Wilmington. Lester was born on May 13, 1941 in Sparta, IL to his parents, Marby and Paul Rury. He graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the ...

06/28/2024

We hate to make this call but due will the weather Cars for a Cause will be cancelled today. We apologize for the inconvenience. We do not want to risk getting any of you pretty cars rained on. We will be rescheduling this event so keep an eye out for that date!

Even though car show is cancelled, fireworks are still on for tonight! Join us at the North Island at 6 pm for live music, food, family fun, & the beer garden!