Audrey J. (Welz) Churnovic

Audrey Jean Churnovic nee Welz, age 95, a lifelong resident of Crest Hill, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at home with her family by her side.

Beloved wife of 65 years to the late Richard, loving mother of Richard (Nancy) Churnovic, Jr., Lynn (Michael) Miller, Janice (Jim) Coats, John (Sylvia) Churnovic, Mary Ann (Alan) Hemmingson, Lori Bond (Terry Haggerty), Mark Churnovic, Carrie Ann (George) Santiago.  Proud grandmother of 23 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Theolinda Welz, brothers: Robert Welz and Charles Welz; sisters: Geraldine Wilson, Marjorie Morey, and Maerose Swan; grandson: Austin Bond; one sister-in-law: Darlene (Leroy) Marquardt, and survived by one brother: Glenn Welz of Sacramento, CA.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church Joliet Seniors organization, Rivals Club Ladies Auxiliary, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Slovenian Women’s Orginazation and Will County Seniors.  She enjoyed attending senior meetings, playing bingo, family euchre nights, Martini Happy Hours with her children and playing slot machines at local establishments.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Friday March 11, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. A celebration of Audrey’s life will continue on Saturday, March 12, 2022 with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 416 N Chicago Street in Joliet. Interment will follow and Audrey will be laid to rest with her husband at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Audrey’s name to Lightways Hospice or to St. Joseph Catholic Church.