Gail E. Pisha

Gail E. Pisha (nee Binder) of Joliet, IL, passed peacefully from earth and into the arms of her Lord and Savior on September 8 at the Hospice Home in Joliet. After a long battle with dementia, she joins her loving husband Paul in heaven.

Gail was born on Father’s Day, June 17, 1934, to her parents Otto M. and Alneda (nee Becktell) Binder of Joliet, IL and formerly of New Buffalo, MI. She had one brother, Bruce (Pat) Binder of Crossville, TN, formerly of Joliet, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents Otto M. and Alneda (nee Becktell) Binder and brother Bruce Binder.Also preceded in death by her husband, Paul; brother in law, Richard Pisha; sister in law, Gloria (Pisha) Horschler; and best friend, Elenore (Beske) Oasterland. Survived by her daughters, Lynn (Tim) Reyes of Crest Hill, Annette (Ron) Donisch of Channahon, and Sheryl (Frank) Dickey of Joliet. Grandchildren Diana (Dan) Coffey of Essex, Beth Reyes of Braidwood, Steve (Kristen) Reyes of Joliet; Mathew, Christina, Alyssa, and Haley Donisch of Channahon; Tania (Jacob) Garcia of Indiana, Amanda Dickey of Indiana, and Kyle Dickey of Joliet, IL. Great-grandchildren Sam, Paul, and Evelyn Coffey of Essex, Jordan Reyes, of Joliet, and Julie Garcia of Indiana. Also survived by her brother in law, Ben (Catherine) Pisha. Sisters in law Pat Binder and Mary Ann Pisha as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

As a child, Gail played piano and violin. Her parents, who owned Binder’s Upholstery, taught her to sew. She graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1952, McCormick Business College in 1953, and Joliet Junior College in 1955. She took music classes at Wheaton College and College of St. Francis and was a trained opera singer. She met her husband Paul in 1955 at the Ridgewood Baptist Church youth group and married October 13, 1956. She served at Ridgewood Baptist Church alongside Paul in the choir as a soloist, assistant pianist, and choral director. Throughout the years, she also taught VBS, Sunday school, and volunteered in the Pioneer Girls group at the church.

She was employed by the Credit Bureau of Will County from 1953-1958 and left one month before the birth of her first child. From 1960-1990, she taught piano from her home studio and made and sold jewelry.

Gail was always interested in helping others. She volunteered on the PTA at her children’s school, was a brownie troop leader, did fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, organizations that supported Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis research, and was a caregiver to her husband who developed RA at the age of 35. She was also a caregiver to her own mother.

Gail was a talented seamstress. She designed and made beautiful clothes and dresses for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, furniture upholstering, collecting precious moments, baking, entertaining guests in her home, reading romance novels, singing, and playing the piano. She loved planning vacations and traveled with her husband and children to all 50 states, most of them in the family’s StarCraft camper. She took special care to make holidays fun and memorable for her family. She planned annual Easter egg hunts for her grandchildren and prepared her traditional oyster stew on Christmas. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Gail spent the last five years of her life living with her daughter Lynn and enjoyed the many visits she had from her family. She especially enjoyed the visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who made her laugh. Her family will remember her lovingly. Special thanks to the Joliet Hospice for the excellent care they have provided over the last month.

Friday, September 11, 2015
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Saturday, September 12, 2015
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Saturday, September 12, 2015
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Saturday, September 12, 2015
11:00 AM

Woodlawn Memorial Park
23060 Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60431