Obituaries

Apr 24, 2025

Laura Katherine Klabel 60 of Peru. Passed away peacefully April 24, 2025, at home surrounded her loved ones.

Mrs. Laura Katherine Klabel was born on August 9, 1964, in Norman, Oklahoma to William and Nancy Kaighn. As a child Laura loved softball, playing piano, singing, listening to rock and roll and playing in the neighborhood with her many friends. Laura was...

Apr 21, 2025

Gail A. Orsini 66, of Peru. Passed away April 21, 2025, in her home.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Private services will be at a later date. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Gail was born April 15, 1959, in Peru to Richard and Mary (Dondelinger) Denis. Gail worked at Eagle Grocery and then Jewel Grocery for over 25...

Apr 19, 2025

Jill M. (Blair) King, age 47, passed away at home on April 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jill was born on January 28, 1978, in Kewanee, Illinois to Terri (Ciesielski) Reese and Robert Blair. Jill's life was marked by her unwavering strength, kindness, and dedication to her work, family and friends. Jill graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School...

Apr 9, 2025

Samuel W. “Sam” Lecky 81 of Dekalb. Formerly of Peru. Passed away April 9, 2025, in Oak Crest Retirement Center of Dekalb.

Graveside services will be at a late date in Peru City Cemetery. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Samuel was born September 26, 1943, in Wayne, West Virginia. He married Virginia Budziak...

Apr 8, 2025

Sandra M. “Sandy” Dauck 59 of Peru. Passed away April 8, 2025, in OSF St Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, with family by her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 AM Saturday April 12, at St Valentine Church. Rev Gary Blake will officiate. Burial will be at St Valentine Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 AM in the church....

Mar 27, 2025

Stephen W. (Klukaczynski) Kacy 69 of La Salle. Passed away March 27, 2025, in his home.

Cremation rites have been accorded. There will be no services. Private burial will be at a later date. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Stephen was born April 7, 1955, in Peru to Stephen and Darlene (Vickery) Klukaczynski. Stephen was a customs broker...

Mar 20, 2025

Phyllis Ann (Denny) Kowalczyk

Born: December 12, 1931 in LaSalle, IL

Died: March 20, 2025 in Peru, IL

Phyllis Ann (Denny) Kowalczyk, age 93 of Peru, IL, passed away peacefully March 20, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. A memorial service will be held at a later date. A private burial will be in Saint Valentine Cemetery, Spring Valley. Cremation...

Mar 20, 2025

Mar 9, 2025

Dolores J.”DJ” Croissant 91 of Ladd. Passed away March 9, 2025, in her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday March 13, 2025, at the Ptak Funeral Home. Pastor Alex Garncarz will officiate. Burial will be in Peru City Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted...

Mar 4, 2025

Kay Kolowski-Hyson 57 of Peru. Passed away March 4, 2025, in Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, IL.

A celebration of her life will be at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Kay was born October 31, 1967, in Peru to Eugene and Barbara (Weber) Kolowski. She worked at Sephora as a cosmetologist....

Feb 16, 2025

Maribeth F. Tonelli 70 of Peru. Passed away February 16, 2025, in St Joseph Medical Center Bloomington. Private services were held. The private burial will be in Valley Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Maribeth was born February 20, 1954, in Peru to Clemens and Anna (Lipinski) Nogay. She was a...

Feb 7, 2025

Beth Casford 63 of Oglesby. Passed away February 7, 2025, in St Francis Medical Center following an extended illness.

Private services will be at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Beth was born June 29,1961 in La Salle, IL to LeRoy and Agnes (Marzel) Casford. Beth was a cook at Delaney’s...

Feb 5, 2025

Mary 'Bebe' Ziel Schorn Born: July 10, 1942Died: February 5, 2025 Mary "Bebe" Ziel Schorn of Lecanto, FL, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Bebe was known for her kindness, resilience, and unwavering love for family. Her warmth and laughter brought joy to those around her. She leaves a legacy that...

Feb 5, 2025

Anthony “Tony” Ajster went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 5, 2025. Born November 25, 1944, in LaSalle, IL to Alice (Sajnaj) and Joseph Ajster, Jr., Tony was a lifelong resident of the Illinois Valley. He was a graduate of Hall High School, Illinois Valley Community College and Illinois State University. After graduating College,...

Jan 30, 2025

Anne M. Norrell 61 of Peru. Passed away January 30, 2025, in Allure Healthcare of Peru.

Services will be 12:00 PM Wednesday February 5, 2025, at the First Congregational Church of Peru. Pastor Mark Harder will officiate. Private burial will be at a later date. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday in the church from 10AM -12:00 PM.. Ptak Funeral Home has been...

Jan 22, 2025

Deanna L. Hall 70 of Peru. Passed away January 22, 2025, in Allure of Peru.

Private services will be at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Deanna was born June 6,1954 in Spring Valley, IL. To James D. (Carolyn Carruthers) Hall. She was a hairdresser in California for many years.

Deanna is...

Jan 18, 2025

George C. Dowell, 92 of Peru. Passed away January 18, 2025, in St Anthony Medical Center Rockford, IL.

George was born October 18,1932 in Peru to Clark and Celina Dowell. He attended public schools in Peru and La Salle- Peru High School. He joined the Army in September 1953 and was discharged August 1955. He served in Germany as an Armorer...

Jan 8, 2025

Marjorie Faye Mills Kreske (1933-2025)

 

Marjorie Faye Kreske (Mills), 91, of Greendale, Wisconsin, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on January eighth, 2025, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born and raised on a farm in Oglesby, Illinois to Bertha and Golden Mills, Marge was one of twelve siblings. Growing up with five sisters and six brothers, (including...

Jan 6, 2025

Evelyn A. Coulter passed away quietly in her home in Peru, Illinois on January 6, 2025. She was born on August 21, 1932, to Vincent and Angeline Ratkiewicz in Chicago, Illinois. 

 While in Chicago she attended St. Helen’s Catholic school graduating the 8th grade. Her family moved to Peru following her graduation and she enrolled at St. Joseph’s Commercial where she...

Nov 2, 2024

David M. Neill 78 of Peru. Passed away November 2, 2024, in Allure Healthcare Mendota. 

Graveside services will be 10:00 AM Saturday November 23, 2024, in Valley Memorial Park. Rev Ronald Margherio OSB will officiate. Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangement. 

Dave was born May 26, 1946, in Spring Valley, to Emmett and Cecelia...