Josephine L. (Minarich) Hibler

Josephine L. Hibler (nee Minarich), age 97, passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 at The Parc Nursing Home in Joliet with her family by her side.

Josephine was born in Bourbonnais, IL to the late Ernest and Josephine (nee Tomac) Minarich and raised in Joliet. She graduated from Joliet Central High School, class of 1939. On May 10, 1941 Josephine married George Hibler who preceded her in death in 1988. Josephine admired animals; she enjoyed walking her dogs Sammie and Rusty and visiting with her neighbors. Josephine loved feeding her birds, praying in her prayer garden, praying from her countless prayer books, working her word search puzzles, playing bingo and solitaire; but cooking homemade noodles and baking Potica and Strudel for her family were her favorite pastimes of them all.

Preceded in death by her brothers and sister; Albert (Thelma), Ernie (Connie), Pete (Carol) Minarich and Caroline (Al) Smith.

She was a member of the Cantigny Post #367 Ladies Auxiliary and the Croatian Fraternal Union.

Josephine was a loving mother of three children, the late Diane Marenche (2016), Elaine (Melvin) Smith of Coal City, IL and Ronald (Jan) Hibler of Minooka, IL. She always held a special place in her heart for her five grandchildren, Georgene and Jay Marenche and Michael (Faith), Christine and Greg (Janet) Smith; and her six great-grandchildren; Lanie, Brooke, Paige, Alex, Jake and Tyler Smith.

The family would like to thank the staff from The Parc of Joliet for their excellent care and compassion of Josephine during her stay.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s name to The Parc of Joliet or Joliet Township Animal Control would be appreciated.

A celebration of Josephine’s life will begin on Saturday, February 24, 2018 with a visitation at Tezak Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Mary Nativity Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery in Crest Hill. Visitation will be on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Obituary and tribute wall for Josephine L. Hibler at www.tezakfuneralhome.com or for information, 815-722-0524.

Arrangements entrusted to Tezak's Home to Celebrate Life.