Conley Funeral Home, 116 W Pierce Street, Elburn, IL (2026)

10/05/2026

Life Story and Service Details For
CHARLES "Chuck" Adamecz

Charles “Chuck” Adamecz, age 79, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

He was born on March 15, 1947, to loving parents, Steven and Margaret Adamecz.

Chuck grew up in Blue Island, IL, and attended local schools. He answered the call of his country when he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965. He served faithfully for nine years before his honorable discharge and return to civilian life.

Charles was lucky in love twice in his life, when he met Jacqueline Fountain. When their friendship turned into love, they celebrated hand in hand and heart to heart when they were wed on July 28, 1984. With the joining of their two families complete, Chuck and Jacqueline began their new life in Park Forest, IL. Later they moved to Homewood for a time before making their home in Elburn in 1997.

Chuck was always fascinated with technology and how it worked. That fascination led him to work in the field his entire career ending in retirement following his employment at Renishaw.

Chuck was a member of the Eagles of Blue Island and both McLeansboro and Elburn American Legions.

Chuck loved the outdoors and never missed an opportunity to hunt and fish. He was able to catch sight of an albino deer and made many memories in the meadows and woods that brought him peace. Chuck also loved classic cars, particularly Pontiacs. He rebuilt a 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 for Jacqueline and won not just accolades from her, but several first-place showings at local car shows. Chuck’s ride was a 1965 Pontiac GTO that turned heads wherever he drove.

He leaves his loving wife, Jacqueline Fountain; 5 children: David (DeeDee) Adamecz, Joanie (Jim) Paul, Patrick Dow, Bill (Madelyn) Dow and Jesse (Sara) Dow; 7 grandchildren: Ryan Adamecz, Elle Paul, Ima Dow, Elliott Dow, Lucas Dow, Lilly Dow and Louisa Dow; several nieces, nephews and a family of friends who will miss him dearly.

He is reunited with his parents, Steven and Margaret Adamecz; 4 siblings: Darlene Norris, Joanne Hart, Mike Adamecz, and Eleanor “Babe” Cavallini who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Lord of Life Church, Elburn. A memorial service to celebrate his life will follow visitation. All are welcome to attend a time of fellowship, food and memories during a luncheon at the church following the service. Private family burial will follow at a later date.

Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/29/2026

Life Story and Service Details for
PERRY B. LAKIN

Perry B. Lakin, age 92, of Maple Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026.
He was born on June 1, 1934 to proud and loving parents Perry and Bernice Lakin.

Perry grew up on a farm in Kaneville, where his mischievous spirit and natural athletic ability quickly became a part of who he was. He enjoyed playing football, basketball and track, and graduated from Elburn High School with the class of 1952.

Perry then entered the United States Marine Corps., serving from January 20, 1953 until January 19, 1956, where he attained the rank of Buck Sergeant and served in supply. He loved his time in California and was proud of his service.

On September 1, 1956, Perry married his lifelong friend and beloved wife, Blen M. Meek. Their story began long before their wedding day. They both came from neighboring farms, attended the same church and schools, and spent many years growing their friendship before beginning their lives together as a family. This year, they celebrated 70 years of marriage. Completely devoted to one another, Perry and Blen shared countless adventures throughout their life together.

The first of which was Blen working as a nurse while Perry used his military service to help fund his education, earning his bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University, graduating on June 7, 1959. He then taught in Michigan for a few years before they decided they wanted another adventure, that included service. They entered the Peace Corps, training in Puerto Rico before serving in British Honduras, now known as Belize, from 1964 to 1966. During their time there, they created lifelong friendships that remained throughout their years.

He then returned to Illinois and settled into teaching in the DeKalb School District, where he finished out 30 total years of educating students before retiring in 1992. Retirement did not slow Perry down, though, as he went on to drive a school bus for the Kaneland School District until 2006.

Another significant chapter in Perry’s life began in the summer of 1959 at Camp Kennebec, a boys’ camp in North Belgrade, Maine. Known as Uncle Perry to the campers, during his time as a camp counselor, he had the privilege to mentor and shape the lives of many young people. He worked at the camp every summer until 1983 and continued bringing his family to their cabin every summer, even after he stopped working at the camp. The lake became a place of lasting memories and lifelong friendships, and the camp community remained an important part of Perry’s life.

When Perry wasn’t spending time with his Family he was building. As an avid woodworker, Perry found great joy in creating beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and friends. His craftsmanship quickly became another way he shared his love with those around him. He also loved being outdoors and enjoyed hiking, running, and sailing. Above all, Perry was an all-around friend to everyone he met, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, friendship, and laughter.

Perry will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Blen Lakin; his siblings: Joanne (Lee) Meek and Doug (Deb) Lakin; his children: Kurt (Gina) Lakin and Kendra (Paul) Meyers; his grandchildren: Hayden Lakin, Emma Lakin, Camille Meyers, Katrina Meyers, and Braden Meyers, as well as many dear relatives and cherished longtime friends.

He is reunited with his parents, Perry and Bernice Lakin; his beloved in-laws: Stafford and Edith Meek; and his brother: Clare Lakin.

A memorial visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 506 Willow St, Maple Park, IL 60151. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m., with burial following at Kaneville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Seven Lakes Alliance at https://7lakesalliance.org/, The Nature Conservancy at https://www.nature.org/en-us/, or Grace Methodist Church https://graceumcmp.com/giving/.
Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/23/2026

Life Story and Service Details for
WILLIAM "BILL" GRISCH

William “Bill” Edward Grisch, age 81, of Aurora Illinois, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.

He was born on June 5, 1945 to proud and loving parents, Carl and Jeanette Grisch.

Bill grew up in Aurora where he attended Holy Angels Grade School and Marmion Military Academy. He went on to attend St. Procopius College, where he graduated with the class of 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

He was a natural athlete and a star basketball player during his school years. His dedication to the sport was evident in the lengths he and his brother, Tom, would go to practice. Going as far as shoveling snow from Mary A. Todd school parking lot so they could still play during the winter months. His competitive spirit and love of the game remained a part of him throughout his life as a devoted sports fan, proudly cheering on the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bears, and Notre Dame football.

On April 8, 1972, Bill married the love of his life, Maizie, at St. Mary’s Church in Plainfield, Illinois. Together, they had three children and built a life filled with love and countless memories. For 25 years, they made their home in Elburn where they raised their family and were active in the life of the community.

Visiting Egypt was on Bill’s bucket list. In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, Bill and Maizie made that dream a reality, traveling to Egypt where they experienced the beauty of the Great Pyramids.

Bill dedicated 34 years of his professional life to Applied Composites in St. Charles, where he worked in sales and eventually served as executive Vice President. He later retired from the company in 2005.

He accomplished much in his life, but his greatest pride and joy was always his family. He was deeply devoted to those he loved and believed in living in the moment. His family was at the heart of everything he did. After his children were grown, he treasured his grandchildren. Whether they were playing hide-and-seek, playing on the floor, or simply spending time together, Bill was always happy to be around them. He never let distance keep him from being a part of their special moments. He would gladly travel to celebrate their birthdays, whether a birthday party took him to California, New York, or somewhere closer to home in Elburn, he was there.

Bill will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Maizie Grisch; his sister, Jean Cusick; his children: Fred (Renee) Grisch, John (Stacey) Grisch, Katie (Glen) LaPalme; his grandchildren :Nicholas (Katie) Grisch, Olivia Grisch, Jacob Grisch, William LaPalme, Drew LaPalme, Anna LaPalme, Owen Grisch and Colin Grisch; as well as many grand-dogs and grand-cats.

He is reunited with his parents, Carl and Jeanette Grisch as well as his brother, Tom Grisch who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A Celebration of his Life will be at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, https://give.michaeljfox.org/campaign/831853/donate. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/15/2026

Life Story and Service Details for
JAMES PERCY READ

James Read, age 86, of Rochelle, formerly of Elburn, fought the good fight and finished the race, September 10, 2026.

Jim was born May 17, 1940, in Elgin, IL, to proud parents, Clarence and Isabelle Read.

Jim grew up in Elburn and attended local schools, graduating from Elburn High School with the class of 1958. You could always recognize Jim in the halls of his alma mater, but he made a name for himself on the grid iron as well, playing every down in every game AND on both sides of the ball.

A year after graduation, Jim enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. He served his country faithfully spending over a year in Japan before an honorable discharge in 1962. He returned to civilian life with a passion for farming, but also for a certain high school sweetheart to whom he had been writing while in the service. Judith Gaye Bullington.

Jim and Gay were united in marriage and blessed with a son, Jimmy, before Gaye tragically passed away in June of 1979. Jim would be lucky in love twice when he met and married Judy Hambly. They would make many years of memories before her passing in 1995. Jim migrated south to Ocala, FL in 2000 but would return home to his son in Aurora in 2007. Elburn became his home again for time before moving back with his son Jim in Rochelle.

Jim worked on the farm spending a decade raising grain and feeding up to 800 head of cattle. Later he oversaw many routes and people as a part of REM Foods Distributing Company and Barr Vending Company but made a life of custodial work at various businesses over the years, including the city of Aurora, Arthur Andersen and the St. Charles School District.

Jim was a faithful member of Grace Fellowship Church, Maple Park, a lifetime member of the Blackberry Masonic Lodge, Knights Templar and the Maple Park American Legion.

When God made Jim, He broke the mold, we just don’t know for sure if He did it on purpose. Jim was obstinate, abrasive and the most loving man you could find. He always left an impression, maybe good maybe not, but he was unforgettable, nonetheless. Jim was a man who knew who he was and always strived to do better for others. He often lauded others to love one another like Christ loves us, to share with those less fortunate and encouraged you to always color outside the lines. Jim may have been raised in the school of “hard knocks”, but he never shied away from shedding a tear and sharing a hug. When he hugged you, he meant it and didn’t let go until he deemed it a “good one”. Jim spent much of his free time with his son and he loved every minute of it. Though he left suddenly, you can follow the path his heart took by the indelible mark he left on everyone he met.

He is survived by his son Jimmy Read; sister-in-law Kay Garvin; brother-in-law, Richard Garvin; 2 step- sons: Brian and Jeff Deuchler; former step-daughter-in-law, Kristi McCarthy; several nieces, nephews and a family of friends who will never forget him.

He is reunited with his two wives, Gay and Judy Read; his parents, Clarence and Isabelle Read; one nephew William Hamblen; his sister, Shirley Hamblen; and one brother, Clarence E. Read Jr. who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 10-11:45 a.m., followed by a Masonic and funeral service, Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, 60119. Private family burial will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Grace Fellowship Church, 17085 Owens Rd. Maple Park, IL, 60151, St. Jude Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate as well as Wounded Warrior Project at support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Tributes and memories can be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/10/2026

Life Story and Service Details for
DONNA O'HAGAN

donna O’Hagan, age 67, (and who never capitalized her first name), passed away into the halls of memory and through the gates of Heaven, September 6, 2026.

She was born 2 days short of Christmas, 1958 to proud and loving parents, Eugene and Lillian Stan.

donna grew up in Chicago and attended local schools. She graduated with the class of 1977 from St. Benedict’s High School. She continued her education at Northern Illinois University where she eventually received a master’s degree in vision mobility.

donna met her future husband in the halls of St. Benedict’s where she caught the eye of Bill O’Hagan. The friendship turned into a love affair that led them to the altar on August 14, 1982. They began their new life together above Bill’s father’s home on the north side of Chicago in Lakeview. Later, Bill and donna moved to Creston, IL, and made wonderful memories despite a culture shock compared to Chicago. Eight years later they settled in Sycamore.

donna found work in the Aurora school district as a vision teacher for a time and led to her working in many different districts under NIA, bringing her special brand of teaching and connection that made her a favorite of many. Later she worked for the Sycamore School District in 2011 to be closer to home and her family. During that time she was contacted by NIU to coordinate help supervise and mentor student teachers and practicum teachers bringing them her unique outreach and methods. In recent years, during her “retirement” she worked part-time with vision students and reunited with NIA.

donna volunteered at Safe Passage, sharing her time and heart, and was proud to be a part of Stagecoach Players in Dekalb, IL, which continued a passion that was born during her high school years. She started her stage career as the dancing turtle in Cinderella which led her to more prominent roles as the years and curtain calls passed by. She was a member of the board for Stagecoach and worked tirelessly backstage when she wasn’t in the limelight.

Growing up on the north side, donna found a lifelong friendship, Susie Touhy and Joan Schneider; they never missed an opportunity to celebrate their Peanut’s Club, complete with sleepovers and various adventures. She had an artist’s eye and a passion for painting with acrylics creating beautiful landscapes that grace the walls of her home. Her creativity extended to writing a unique personal Christmas letter every year. donna was extremely involved in Girl Scout’s of America alongside her friend Patti and was a scout leader for her two girls. She was a collector of Harry Potter and anything Kermit but shared a passion for the novel, The Little Prince, and associated collectibles with Bill. donna enjoyed musicals in all their forms, whether she was starring in one, or later as her girls graced the stage bringing both harmony, melody and a myriad of stories to entertain and delight audiences of all ages. At home, she gravitated toward the peace that came from her gardening pots filled with the bright colors of annuals and perennials alike. As a young girl, donna established a canine connection with the addition of Tracey and Elkie. Later, Shadow and Ollie both strayed to the naughty side, but most recently Maya found a home in heart and firmly lived on the “nice” side. One of donna’s amazing characteristics was her authenticity. She accepted and shared her unique humanity with joy and humor. For example, there was the time she wore her pants backward all day. When someone pointed it out, she laughed about it and told the story to everyone.

Her family was her anchor and source of joy and donna reveled in celebrating the favorite traditions and passing them down to the next generation. donna was very close to her sister Christine “Tina”, but the world revolved around her daughters and grandchildren. donna was one in a million as her family and friends can attest, leaving behind a life full of laughter, love and the best kind of memories.

She regretfully leaves her loving husband Bill O’Hagan; two daughters: Katie (Georg) O’Hagan-Svec and their children: Kameron, and Luke; Sarah (Kyle) Nagel and their children Lillian, Kalvin and Delilah; 3 siblings: Tina (Jeff) Vorel, Rob (Jan) Stan and Wayne (Denise) Stan and a family of friends that would surely give her the longest standing ovation.

Donna is reunited with her parents, Eugene and Lillian Stan who preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m., Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at Federated Church of Sycamore, 612 West State Street, Sycamore, IL 60178, at 11 a.m., with a brief time of visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, September 14, 2026. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Federation of the Blind at nfb.org, The Chicago Lighthouse, chicagolighthouse.org, Feed My Starving Children, fmsc.org, Stagecoach Players at www.stagecoachplayers.com, or the charity of your choice. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/10/2026

Matthew “Matt” McGinnis, age 44, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away tragically following a motorcycle accident on September 5, 2026. Gone without being able to say goodbye, his legacy of memories and selflessness will live on not only in the hearts of all who knew him, but through their deeds in his name.

Matt was born on June 10, 1982, to proud and loving parents, Terry and Sandi McGinnis.

Matt grew up in Sugar Grove and attended Kaneland Schools, where his friends affectionately nicknamed him Opie. There he became a member of the National Honor Society, was captain of both the football and wrestling teams, and helped lead the former to two State Titles, back-to-back. He graduated with the class of 2000 and continued his education at Waubonsee Community College, where he continued to wrestle before he received an associate’s degree.

Matt first met Heather in high school, but it was only after graduation that he broke one of the cardinal rules—never date your best friend's sister. But Matt was never one to be limited by the rules of others and met her at the altar on March 5, 2005, at what is now Family Life Church in Elburn. They began their new life in Cortland, where they spent 15 years before settling in Big Rock in 2019.

Matt's hands were never idle, and neither was his mind. He spent the first 20 years of his working life in woodworking and custom cabinetry, then laid down his tools in the fall of 2019 to become COO of RivalMind, a digital marketing agency. Whatever he was building, a kitchen or a company, he gave it everything.

Matt's faith was his bedrock, and he didn't just talk the talk. He had a servant's heart, a compassionate nature, and a never-ending willingness to help anyone in need, which won him friends from all walks of life. He knew countless scriptures and was unapologetic about his faith, yet he was always encouraging. Matt's prayers were eloquent, and his words stayed with you. You could find him at Redeemer Community Church in Aurora, where his time on the worship team lifted the spirits of everyone who came through the door. Outside of Sundays, he played drums in many different rock bands over the years. The only constant was the volume... LOUD.

The passions of Matt's youth guided and inspired him throughout his life. He passed his excellence in sports on to the next generation by coaching his kids and many others in football, CrossFit, and, of course, wrestling. No matter what Matt did, he did it with his whole heart, living by Yoda's credo: "Do or do not. There is no try." Matt was bold, fiercely loyal, and the most hardworking person on the planet, always crossing every t and dotting every i. He brought that same meticulous care to being a loving father and a devoted husband. You couldn't throw a rock without hitting someone he made feel like his best friend. Matt had many gifts, but he never basked in the praise; he just worked harder, showed up on time, and brought a determination you could not match. When it was time to have fun, Matt took that just as seriously, whether it was rocking steady on the drum kit, fixing cars, laughing with friends, or camping at the family's favorite spot in Michigan. He explored whenever he could, rock climbing, wakeboarding, hiking, or just looking for the next adventure. Another of Matt's talents was the perfect Irish goodbye: he could vanish into thin air, much like any sweets left within his reach. Vegetables, on the other hand, never went missing. No matter what was going on in his life, his kids were his world. A natural-born leader with a heart of gold, he taught by example and was strong in both word and deed. In short, Matt McGinnis was the quintessential man's man, and the world is infinitely poorer for his absence.

He leaves his loving wife Heather; 4 children: Trinity, Gabriel, Alexandra, and Christian McGinnis; his parents, Sandi and Terry McGinnis; his sister, Kelly (Brandon) Herst, many nieces and nephews: Mason, Charlotte, Levi, and Garrett Herst, Gavin, Jordan, Joshua, William, Hannah, Elizabeth Nolan, and a family of friends

He is reunited with his maternal grandparents, Florence Hutchinson Merle Robinson and paternal grandparents, Michael and Bernadine McGinnis.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 19, at 10:30 am at Family Life Church, 44W555 Keslinger Road, Elburn, IL 60119. A luncheon and celebration of life will follow from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Matt loathed formal clothing and could be found most days in jeans and a black T-shirt, so please leave the suits at home and come in jeans and a T-shirt. It's how he would want it.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to his family may be made at https://www.supportnow.org/the-mcginnis-family. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/07/2026

Life Story and Service Details For
LYNETTE WERDIN

Lynette Werdin, age 99, of Kaneville, IL, passed away into the arms of her Savior, Thursday, September 3, 2026, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.

She was born in the midst of a blizzard on March 29, 1927, to loving parents, Alan and Edith Brackett Phelps.
Lynette grew up in Kaneville and attended local schools. Her dad found work at Burgess Norton during WWII, and at age 16, Lynette was old enough to work there on Saturdays and Sundays too. She graduated from Kaneville High School in 1945 before attending the University of IL for a time. After decades of raising her family, she completed a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University, followed by certification as a media specialist.

In the summer of 1945, following high school graduation, a chance meeting of a young farmer at s Rural Youth dance would change Lynette’s life forever. David Werdin and Lynette quickly became a couple and were engaged before Dave was sent to Japan as part of the occupational forces after WWII. Lynette and David were united in marriage on February 7, 1948, at Kaneville United Methodist Church.

They began their new life together in Batavia for the first few years until they returned to the Kaneville area. In 1956, they purchased their first 60 acres that would eventually number over 400 by 2014. Those acres in and around Welch Creek and beyond will always be farmland, unblighted by homes and businesses, forever unblemished, protected and cherished. In 1965, the growing family moved to the big house on the farm while her mother transferred into a smaller home on the property.

Lynette spent the first part of married life as a traditional farm wife and mother. When it came time to put their four daughters through college, Lynette needed to find a job outside of the farm. Salvation came through a call from Kaneland High School who employed Lynette as a library secretary. Following her bachelor’s degree at NIU, Lynette became a librarian and spent 19 years in the stacks of the Kaneland High School Library before her retirement in 1988.
Retirement didn’t mean she stopped working. If there was anything going on in Kaneville, Lynette was a part of it. She was a woman with vision and a force to be reckoned with, in charge of anything and everything. It was said that it was impossible to say no to her. Lynette was a lifelong faithful member of the Kaneville United Methodist Church where she was a member of the UM Conference Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Church Childcare Committee, served on almost every local church committee and taught the youth Sunday school class for almost 20 years. Lynette was also the past president of the Kaneville Public Library Board of Trustees, a founding member of the Kaneville Township Historical Society, and was instrumental in establishing the Kaneville Community Child Center and Lunch Bunch.
Despite her community involvement, Lynette and Dave found time to travel extensively, including Hawaii, New Zealand, many European countries and a dream trip to Israel. A life-long learner and strong matriarch, Lynette helped usher in new generations, passing on her hard-earned wisdom, love of books and life lessons to her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lynette was a fixture in her community for nearly 100 years, and Kaneville wouldn’t have been the same (or as good) without her hardworking spirit, iron work ethic and enough seeds of compassion to plant every field as far as the eye can see.

She leaves her loving husband of 78 years, David Werdin; 4 daughters: Cindy Hiltenbrand, Carol (Dan) Alfrey, Beverly (Mark) Richardson, and Julie (Karl) Kettelkamp; 7 grandchildren: Laura (Dale) Fennel, Lindsey (Tom) Durham, Matt Alfrey, Natalie (D.J.) LaRocque, Ian (Katie) Richardson, Erin (Tanner) Clementz, and Jackson Kettelkamp; 8 great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Ethan, Addison, Mackenzie, Asher, Ronen, Robin, and Evelyn; one brother, Keith (Kay) Phelps; many nieces, nephews and a countryside full of friends who will miss her dearly.

Lynette is reunited with her parents, Alan and Edith Phelps, 2 siblings: Robert Phelps and Barbara Snyder, 1 son-in-law, Bill Hiltenbrand, and many beloved extended family members who preceded her in death.

Bring your best memories to visitation, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 4-7 p.m., at Kaneville United Methodist Church, 46W764 Main Street (physically in Kaneville) Elburn (mailing), IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her life and faith will be held Wednesday, September 9, also at the church, at 10 a.m., with a brief visitation from 9-9:45 a.m. Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to KUMC: Stairway To The Stars, P.O. Box 50, Kaneville, IL 60144 or the Kaneville Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 7, Kaneville, IL 60144. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com.

09/02/2026

Life Story for
JANE SMITH,

Jane Smith (Schlegelmilch), age 75, of Elburn, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.

She was born on October 24, 1950, in Chardon, Ohio, to proud and loving parents, Ralph and Margaret Schlegelmilch.

She grew up in Hiram Rapids, Ohio and attended local schools before continuing her education at Hiram University, earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Throughout her life, Jane found purpose in caring for and helping others. After moving to Illinois in 1985, she worked for Daivs Elementary school, Fox Valley Ophthalmology and ultimately ended her career at Fox Valley Orthopedics before retiring.

Above all else, her family was her greatest priority. Her children always came first and as her family grew, her grandchildren quickly became the center of her world. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and took every opportunity to be involved in their lives, from simple everyday tasks and adventures, Jane had a special way of showing her love and support.

Jane also had a generous heart for her community and for those who needed a helping hand. For many years, she was an active volunteer with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago, IL, where she and her daughter, Jennifer, would show their support for the teams at the finish lines. She also cared deeply for animals and supported Hope Animal Rescue. She was always willing to help, whether that meant volunteering at fundraisers or transporting dogs to foster homes or shelters.

She leaves behind her loving children: Jennifer Huneke, Michael Huneke, and Ryan (Melissa) Huneke; her grandchildren: Michael, Mikayla, Marshal, Riley; Her brothers; Rick (Donna) Schlegelmilch, Jerry (Jan) Schlegelmilch; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is reunited with her parents; Ralph and Margaret Schlegelmilch; her sister: Mary Jo Stace; and her brother: Tom Schlegelmilch.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beautiful U Ministries at https://www.beautifuluministries.org/. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home page, or at www.conleycare.com

Conley Funeral Home

10/05/2026

09/29/2026

09/23/2026

09/15/2026

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

09/07/2026

09/02/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request