Josephine L. Goncher

Josephine Lucia Voltattorni Goncher, 99, of New Lenox, Illinois, died August 5, 2025, at “The Cottages” Assisted Living Center in New Lenox, Illinois.

She was born July, 2, 1926 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to Pasquale Voltattorni and Pompilia Angelini Voltattorni. Josephine was a first generation American born of Italian heritage with family in San Benedetto, Italy.

Born and raised in Chicago Heights, and a resident of South Chicago Heights, Illinois from 1956 to 2023, she took final residence at The Cottages in New Lenox.

Josie had a strong sense of love for family and enjoyed her family, gardening, social gatherings with friends and family; and cooking and traveling when she could.

She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, visiting, playing board games, cooking, talking, and laughing.

Sitting outside on her bench swing enjoying her house, yard, and the fresh breeze was her slice of heaven.

She was known among her grandchildren as “Nonnie” and for her cooking, her hugs and foot rubs, her deep love, and endless beautiful, crocheted afghan blankets for life’s most important moments.

Josie attended Garfield Elementary School on 23rd Street in Chicago Heights on The Hill and was a 1944 Graduate of Bloom Township Highschool.

She spent her working years first at AT&T in Chicago Heights as a phone operator and then in the business office of St. James Hospital for 43 years.

Josie was an election volunteer for many years at Grant Elementary School in South Chicago Heights.

She was a life-long member of San Rocco Parish on The Hill in Chicago Heights and loved her church.

Survivors include her son, David Goncher of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; her daughter, Doreen (Jimmy) Johns of New Lenox, Illinois; four grandchildren, Jennifer Goncher of Jackson, Missouri, Megan Goncher of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Steven (Amanda) Johns of Frankfort, Illinois, and Kaitlin Johns of New Lenox, Illinois; as well as three great-grandchildren, Nicolette Knoderer and Will Knoderer of Jackson, Missouri, and Liam Johns of Frankfort, Illinois who was born just days prior to Josephine’s passing and had the beautiful opportunity to meet his great-grandmother.

She is also survived by a nephew, Jeffrey Voltattorni of Colorado Springs, Colorado, sister-in-law, Dorothy Angell, and brother-in-law, Raymond Goncher, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Frank Voltattorni, one sister, Josephine Lucia Voltattorni, brother-in-laws Clarence Goncher, William Goncher, Carl Coffelt, Delmar Angell, and sister-in-law Josephine Goncher.

Arrangements entrusted to Smits – Steger Memorial Chapel, 3045 Chicago Rd. Steger, IL, 60475. A private mass and burial will be held by the family.  For further information, please call 708-755-6100 or visit our online guestbook and obituary at www.SMITSFH.com.