OBITUARIES • Continued from page 19
CHERYL J. GIACOMI Born: April 30, 1964 Died: Dec. 5, 2015
Cheryl J. (“Cheri”) Giacomi, passed suddenly as the result of an auto accident, Saturday, December 5, 2015. Age 51 years. Survived by her loving partner, Alexandra Ivelic; her mother, Joan C. Giacomi (nee Kevish); brother, David R. (Patricia-deceased) Giacomi; nieces, Heather (Brad) Meade and Danielle (Joseph) Higgenbotham; and her pride and joy, great-nephew, Andrew Jeffrey Meade.Also surviving, are Aunts Phyllis (Bill-deceased) Thomas and Sylvia (Greg) Nitz, Uncle Dennis (Rene) Kevish, numerous cousins and many close friends. Preceded in death by her father, Ronald D. Giacomi (2004); her brother, Jeffrey A. Giacomi (2005); her maternal grandmother, Ann M. Kevish (2015); and her sister-in-law, Patricia Giacomi (1996). Cheri was born April 30, 1964, in Joliet. She graduated from Joliet Township High School West Campus, Class of 1982 and Joliet Junior College. Cheri was a senior electromechanical technician at Argonne National Laboratory, having just celebrated 20 years of service. She attended St. Jude Catholic Church and was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #300 and the Croatian Cultural Club. Cheri was a devoted Green Bay Packer fan, enjoyed boating on the Illinois River and traveling with her many friends. A Memorial Mass will be held at the St. Jude Catholic Church, 2212 McDonough St., Saturday, December 19th at 9:30 A.M. Please omit flowers. For information call (815) 7440022or visit www.CHSFUNERAL.com.
EVELYN O. GOMBASH
Born: Jan. 4, 1928; in Bartley, WV Died: Dec. 10, 2015; in Romeoville, IL Evelyn O. Gombash, age 87, a lifetime resident of Romeoville, IL, she was granted her angel wings on December 10, 2015 at her home. Mrs. Gombash was born on January 4, 1928 in Bartley, West Virginia to
Jesse (Maloyed) and James Kelly Anderson. She was the oldest of five children. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Gombash; her children, Joseph Lee Gombash and Lorna Kaye (Thomas) Collinet; her two granddaughters, Heather Nicole and Laurel Anne; and several sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews. She is remembered and loved for her strength, loyalty, friendship, stubbornness and nurturance of all who needed her. Her laughter was infectious. Her southern-style cooking was sensational. She loved to dance, read, shop and spend time with her family and friends. Visitation Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Anderson Memorial Chapel, 606 Townhall Dr., Romeoville, IL with funeral services Tuesday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 in memory of Evelyn O’Dare Gombash or online at http://act.alz.org/goto/EvelynGombash would be appreciated.
this could not miss noticing the beaming pride in Clair’s eyes as he absorbed the achievements of the young city lady who accepted a ring he slid onto her finger and devoted the remainder of their lives together on the family farm south of Joliet near Elwood. Those achievements were many. During those 40 years she earned a Certificate of Parliamentary Law & Order from the University of Illinois, serving as Parliamentarian of several organizations, and was deeply involved in many others. These included the Home Extension of the University of Illinois where she was Information Director for 11 Illinois counties. As a member of the King’s Daughters and Sons, her involvement included serving as President of the Circle for both the Will County and Illinois. As a member of Eastern Star, she served as Worthy Matron, Grand Lecturer and Grand Representative. Included in her
community involvement, Betty was elected to the Advisory Board of Silver Cross Hospital, holding the position of President, and also served on the Board of Trustees. Adding to that, she served as Chairman and treasurer of the Silver Cross Encore Thrift Shop. In total, she served as a volunteer of the hospital for 60 years. She and Clair were also active members of the Manhattan Methodist Church, including singing in and directing choirs, and serving on the church board as treasurer. Betty is survived by four children, Lois, married to Jerry Walker of Lexington, KY; Gene of Lancaster, PA; Ray married to Lisa of Shorewood, IL; and Ross, married to Joyce of Madison, WI. She also has 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her loving friend, Bill Futterer. As per Betty’s wishes cremation
rites have been accorded through Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home, Richard J. Tapella, Funeral Director. A Memorial Service is being planned for 2:00 p.m. December 18, 2015, at Hope Lutheran Church, 305 W. Black Road in Shorewood. Private burial following the service. A Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution in Betty’s memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 For information call (815) 744-0022 or visit WWW.CHSFUNERAL.COM.
• Continued on page 22
find comfort in the good times
ALICE E. HEMPHILL
Born: May 1, 1918; in Quincy, IL Died: Dec. 1, 2015; in Joliet, IL Alice Elizabeth (Betty) Hemphill, Nee Watson, 97, entered eternal rest on December 1, 2015, at Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County in Joliet. She was most recently a resident of Joshua Arms Senior Residences in Joliet. She was born in Quincy, IL on May 1, 1918, as the first child to Eugene and Grace Watson. In 1919 the family moved to Joliet where, through the ensuing years, Betty became the eldest of three siblings - one sister and two brothers - all now deceased. She attended Moran Street School, Farragut Junior High, Joliet Township High School and Joliet Junior College. Besides her parents and siblings, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Clair J. Hemphill, whose life was shockingly and mournfully taken from his wife and children at the early age of 67 by a failed heart. For those who well knew Clair and Betty, also well knew the team, the partnership and the solid couple they had become, including the reciprocal love, support, pride and encouragement they shared during those great memorable 40 years. Those who knew
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The Herald-News • Sunday, December 13, 2015
| OBITUARIES
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