LaVon E. Sanford

On the evening of Wednesday, March 20, 2013, LaVon E. Sanford (nee Stevenson) was surrounded by love, as she bravely and peacefully joined her loved ones and her Heavenly Father.

Born in Dwight, IL on July 2, 1923, LaVon later married the love of her life, Charles A. Sanford in 1941, and they resided in the Dwight area until 1957 before coming to Joliet to raise their seven children, Catherine Marie (the late Larry Joe) Rothamel, Sandie Spisak, Charlene (the late Jerry) Pool, Cheryl (Paul) Pullara, Tom Sanford, Donna (Dave) Hanus and Diane Sanford. She is also survived by her brother, Bill (Lois) Stevenson; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild and her dear friend Irene Tracz of 40 years.

Preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sanford; a stillborn son; her parents, Hettie and Leo Stevenson and her brother, John (Eve) Stevenson.

LaVon will be remembered for her love of family, crafting, traveling, and she had a special gift of making friends with everyone. She was employed at the First National Bank of Joliet and also the Illinois Bureau of Identification in Joliet. She was also a longtime member of the Joliet Moose.

The family would like to offer a heart-filled thank you to Joliet Area Community Hospice and her caretaker Marla at Willow Falls.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in LaVonA�??s name to Joliet Area Community Hospice.

A celebration of LaVonA�??s life will begin on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 9:30 am with prayers at the funeral home chapel, then moving in procession to St. Jude Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Dwight, IL. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at TezakA�??s Home to Celebrate Life.