Verna Mae (Ward) Papesh

Verna Mae Papesh (nee Ward), age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday September 15, 2011 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, after a brief illness, with her family by her side.

Verna was born to Edward and Theresa Ward in Joliet, and was a lifelong area resident. She was a devout Catholic and was a parishioner of St. Joseph"s Catholic Church for most of her lifetime. Also a member of V.F.W. Cantigny Post #367 Ladies Auxiliary. Verna loved her family dearly and was an excellent homemaker. Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

Preceded in death by her loving husband George J. Papesh; a daughter Dr. Nancy M. Potempa; 2 brothers, Harold (Irene) Ward, and Lloyd (Theresa) Ward; 2 sisters, Winnifred (Martin) Decman, and Lorraine (Valentine) Papesh.

Survived by 2 daughters; Patricia (Donald) Sodersten of Hendersonville,TN, and Joanne Papesh of Joliet; a Son-in-law, Stanley (late Nancy) Potempa of New Lenox; 5 grandchildren, Ann (Thomas) Ardaugh, Daniel (Amy) Potempa, Adam (Carissa) Sodersten, Samantha (Christopher) Julka, and Andrew (Josie Fenlon) Sodersten; 5 great-grandchildren, Matthew, Erin and Megan Ardaugh, and Alexander and Molly Potempa. 3 sisters; Bernadine (late John) Ukovich, Rita (late Norman) Patterson, and Eunice Ward all of the Joliet area. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Donations to: St. Joseph Catholic Church Joliet or Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, in her name, would be appreciated.

A Celebration of Verna Mae's life will begin on Monday, September 19, 2011 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:30 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, IL 60435.