JOLIET, Ill. — Mrs. Rose Marie Van Duyne, loving mother and wife, left this earth on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at the age of 87.
Rosie was born Sept. 25, 1924, in South Wilmington, Ill. Her parents were James and Catherine Lardi. She was one of eight children, including Tressa, Leticia, Joe, Katie, Chuck, Betty and Jim.
Rose married LeRoy Van Duyne in 1941, at the age of 18. They resided in Joliet, Ill. At the time of LeRoy's death in 2003, they had been married for 60 years. Six children were born of their marriage — Pam (Larry) Clennon, Cheri (Kevin) Carhill, Tim (Mary Lyn Murphy) Van Duyne, Toni Van Duyne, Cindy Van Duyne, and Pat (Kathleen O'Donnell) Van Duyne. Rose and LeRoy have 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Rose was a successful businesswoman and ran several businesses, including Van Duyne's Hall on Jackson Street in Joliet, Van Duyne's Sandwich Shop and the Hilltop Drive-In Theatre on Maple Road. Her Italian sausage and beef and gravy were legendary.
She was a former member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Joliet, where she was active with the parish pancake breakfasts for many years, and most recently attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City.
Rose led a rich life. She loved to fish and dance and traveled extensively, including Europe and Hawaii. She also traveled throughout the United States with LeRoy during his 20 years as an Illinois State Representative.
She was a devoted wife and mother. She was selfless and worked endlessly to provide a nurturing home. Her personal and professional standards made us all strive for the highest level of achievement.
Rose endured an extended illness with courage and acceptance. She never complained and was an example of the virtues of patience, love and kindness. Her beautiful smile will never be forgotten. She will forever be in our hearts and deeds.
Special thanks to Grace Gerelmaa for her kind and gentle care. Finally, we can never fully express our gratitude to our sister, Toni Van Duyne, who traveled from Spain to spend the last three months with our mother. Her presence filled Mom's days with unconditional love.
Visitation and video tribute will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Freitag-Reeves and Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 5, in Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee St., Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with the Rev. Steve Bondi officiating.
Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington and pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Pat Van Duyne, Jason Van Duyne, Jeff Clennon, Charles Zelman, Gabriel Carhill, Paul Zelman, Zachare Zelman, Jake Van Duyne and Alex Hughes.
Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.FRBfuneral.com.
In memory of Rose, the family requests that masses be said at St. Rose Catholic Church, Wilmington, Ill.. Alternatively, donations can be made to the St. Rose School Endowment Fund, 626 South Kankakee St., Wilmington, Ill., 60481.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 476-2181.