Obituary Listing

Jan 3, 2024

The funeral service will be live streamed from our Facebook  page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH

Robert G. Bultema, age 93, of St. John, IN, formerly of Lansing, IL, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.  Beloved husband of the late Lorraine A. Bultema nee Hoogewerf.  Loving father of Ken (Pat) Bultema, William (Sharon) Bultema,...

Dec 31, 2023

Neil Douglas Thomas, a devoted husband, father, and pap-pap, peacefully departed this world on December 31, 2023, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on March 2, 1954, Neil was preceded in death by his father Ken, mother Pat, step-father Dean, son Keith, and granddaughter Shyann.

Neil is survived by his loving wife, Karen, and children:...

Dec 29, 2023

Sandra Illum nee Paulson, age 51, of Momence, Illinois, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Cory L. Illum. Loving mother of Jordan Illum, Carter Illum and Kylie (Derek) Wehrmann. Cherished grandmother of Payton. Dear sister of Karen (John) Grill. Loving daughter of Warren (Mary Lou) Paulson. Sandra will be dearly missed by all...

Dec 29, 2023

Joseph S. Wojcik, age 65, of South Chicago Heights, Illinois, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023. Beloved son of Dorene (late Joseph Sr) Wojcik. Loving brother of Julianne (John) Pearce, Joanna (Henry) Toppett, and John (Linda) Wojcik. Cherished uncle of Danielle, Austin, Ian, Elizabeth, John II, and Adrian. Joseph will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved...

Dec 29, 2023

Harold R. “Buddy” Michalski Jr., age 73, of Crete, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, December 29, 2023.  Loving partner of 30 years to Kellie Nowakowski.  Devoted father of Tonia Michalski and Tony Michalski. Cherished grandfather of Taylor Michalski and Chase Dawson.  Dear brother of Gloria Michalski, Gayle Michalski, Gwen Fox, Mary Michalski-Babbitt, Theresa Klinsky, Juanita (William) Gecas, and the...

Dec 28, 2023

Nancy C. VanderWoude, nee Clark, age 85, of Thornton, IL, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 28, 2023.  Loving wife of the late William VanderWoude.   Devoted mother of Terri (fiancé Mark Rincon) VanderWoude,  Brenda (Hugh) Olson, and the late John VanderWoude and Jeffrey VanderWoude.  Cherished grandmother of Leslie (Josh) McCormick, Heather (Sang) Hwang, and Sarah (Justin) McCoy; great-grandmother of Aiden,...

Dec 28, 2023

David E. Danrich, age 84, of Thornton, IL, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2023. Loving husband of 53 years to Kathleen Danrich, nee Kane.  Beloved father of Joseph (Wendy) Danrich, Scot (Karen) Danrich, Douglas (Darlene) Holben, Christopher (Annamaria) Holben.  Cherished grandpa of Joseph Jr., Jessica, Wren, Joshua, Christopher Jr., and Kyle; great-grandpa of Owen, Joshua, Jr., Zoey, and...

Dec 27, 2023

Barbara Sue Sutton (Susie Salamone), age 74, of Lansing, Illinois, formerly of Harvey, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023. Loving mother of Barbara Lee Hornung, Dottie Salamone and the late Julie Salamone. Cherished grandmother of William Lester, Jimmy Orendorff, Nicole Salamone and great-grandmother of Elisa Lester. Dear sister of the late Jackie Sutton, Linda (Charles) Bailey, Keith Sutton,...

Dec 27, 2023

Gerald G. Witvoet, age 90, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.  Loving husband of Joan Witvoet nee Roggemann.  Devoted father of Jeffery Witvoet and Tamara (Arthur) Kreykes.  Proud grandfather of Charlotte (Richard) Kreykes-Baxter, Gerald Kreykes, Emily (Joel II) Kreykes-Bollero, and Arie Kreykes.  Cherished great-grandfather of Joel Bollero III, and Valentino Bollero....

Dec 26, 2023

Dorothy E. Pentel, nee Franson, age 99, of Dyer, IN, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 26, 2023.  Loving wife of the late Stanley D. Pentel.  Dearest aunt and great-aunt of Mark (Monica) Crow, Nanci (Steve) Nydam, Stephani Nydam, Austin (Abby) Nydam, Kathleen (Brad) Henning, Ashlee Callard, Jameson Brooks, Jexson Klein, and many other nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death...

Dec 26, 2023

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.

Talena Marie (Bulthuis) Van Drunen July 22, 1923...

Dec 25, 2023

James N. Dunn, age 81, of Lynwood, Illinois, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023. Beloved husband of Janette Dunn nee Roesner. Loving father of Edward (Joan) Dunn, Wanda (Pat) O’Hara and Brian (Debbie) Dunn and cherished stepfather of Linda (Jack) Todd, Lauriann Mancha, K.C. (Tammy) Eiermann, Michael (Lauri Bettress) Eiermann, Pam (Mark) Fedor, and Donna (Wendy) Dunn. Adoring...

Dec 25, 2023

The funeral service will be live streamed from our Facebook  page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH

Howard A. DeYoung, age 88, of Crete, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 25, 2023.  Husband of Cornelia DeYoung, nee Beeze, and the late Betty Jean DeYoung, nee Aggen.  Father of Alan (Julia) DeYoung, Lisa (Rick) Triemstra, Laura (John) Veldhuizen, Russell (Julie) DeYoung,...

Dec 25, 2023

Brandi L. Melendez, nee Pfeifer, age 49, of Bourbonnais, IL, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023.  Wife of Robert Melendez.  Devoted mother of Brent and Bradley Melendez.  Loving daughter of Nancy (late Willis “Bill”) Lagestee and Ronald (Lin) Pfeifer.  Dear sister of Ronald Pfeifer Jr.; half-sister of Tyyler Lagestee; step-sister of Vaughn (Linda) Lagestee, Valerie Lagestee, and Michelle (Rob)...

Dec 25, 2023

Thomas Allen, age 72, of Chicago Heights, IL, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023. Loving father of Victoria Lal and Dawn (Jorge) Pina.  Cherished grandfather of Julia, Maya, Luciana, Ruby, and Benicio.  Preceded in death by his parents Robert Allen and Pearl Allen.  Thomas was a United States Navy Veteran.  Thomas was loved by many and will be dearly...

Dec 24, 2023

The funeral service will be live streamed from our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH

Lois Van Vuren, nee Lorenz, age 92, of Dyer, Indiana, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Carl Van Vuren, and the loving mother of Richard Van Vuren, Ann (Douglas) Jorgensen, and Donna (Teddy) DeGraff.  Beloved grandmother of Richard...

Dec 23, 2023

Douglas A. Bruinsma, age 61, of Lansing, IL, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023. Loving husband of Lynn C. Bruinsma, nee Van Baren. Devoted father of Victoria (fiancé Kurtis Van Kuiken) Bruinsma, and Cassandra Bruinsma.  Dearest son of the late Lewis Bruinsma and  Phyllis (Late Melvin) DeBoer. Dear brother of Don (Jann) Bruinsma, Debbie (Paul) DeYoung, and Duane (Mary)...

Dec 21, 2023

Gerald Lee Wagner, age 75 of Seminole, FL (formerly of Lake Village, Indiana) passed away December 21, 2023. Life partner of the late Martha Ann Catlin Wagner. Proud father of Jerod Lee Wagner; Nathan Lee (Windy) Wagner; Megan (Josh Brugger) Wagner; Margo Wagner; Myia Wagner. Loving grandfather of Dillon Lee Wagner; Colton Lee Wagner; Colin Lee Wagner; Eloise Brugger;...

Dec 21, 2023

Click here to watch the live stream of Louise's funeral service https://www.youtube.com/@emmanuelchristianreformedc8707/streams

Louise E. Allen, nee Vander Zee, age 84, of St. John, IN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 21, 2023.  Beloved wife of the late David C. Allen.  Loving mother of David (Donna) Allen Jr., Douglas (Amy) Allen, Daniel (Nadia) Allen, and Linda (David) Heyboer.  ...

Dec 20, 2023

Joseph M. Bender, age 59, of Lowell, IN, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 20, 2023.  Loving husband of Gina Suzanne Bender, nee Rife. Devoted father of Allison Suzanne, Anna Joy, and Jacob Joseph Bender.  Dearest son of the late Jacqueline Bender and late George Bender.  Dear brother of Thomas (Patricia) Bender, Gary (Terry) Bender, Judith (Antonio) Sanchez, Daniel, Donald,...