Obituary of Peggy Jane Szepelak
Peggy Jane Szepelak
(nee Saltzman)
Peggy Jane Szepelak, age 71, of Rochester, IL, passed away peacefully, at her daughter’s home, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family following a courageous battle with cancer. She was incredibly strong, always smiling, never complaining, and fought until the end. Peggy was born on Christmas Eve of 1951 in Morris, IL, to the late James Lewis and Ella Mae (nee Ramsey) Saltzman, and raised in Channahon, IL. Peggy graduated from Minooka High School and lived most of her life in the Channahon area, only recently moving to Rochester, IL. Peggy loved her life with her husband, John, traveling to Las Vegas or at the casinos playing slots. Luck always seemed to be on her side! She was extremely close to her family, being with them or talking with them daily. She enjoyed her home on five acres where she raised her kids and grandchildren in a beautiful home. Peggy had a knack for decorating and maintaining her well-manicured yard. She had a passion for taking care of, training, riding, and showing her horses. She also had a love for all animals and raised a number of them herself. She had a heart of gold and will be missed by all who knew her.
Peggy is survived by her beloved husband of 51 years, John Joseph Szepelak; her three children, Tammy (Donnie) Lenzie, Amy (Aaron) White, and John (Jack Clifford) Szepelak; eight grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Jake) Weber, Alex (Abberdeen) White, Colten (Melissa) White, Haley (Ryan) DeBerry, Brandon White, Reece Szepelak, Katie (Cody) Mack and Laura (Christian) Cogdal; six great-grandchildren, Meredith DeBerry, Ella Weber, Carson White, Talon and Tori Mack and Dalton Codal; five siblings, Dave (Brenda) Saltzman, Bunny (Bonnie) Saltzman, Mike (Kathy) Saltzman, Jim (Diane) Saltzman, and Linda (fiancé Jack Cirrincione) Pollock; and her in-laws, Mike Szepelak, Wayne Szepelak, Chris (Bill) Gehris, Anita (Rick) Kranz, Donna (Mark) Turner, and Nancy (Tom - Deceased) Szepelak. Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
She is preceded by her parents, James Saltzman and Ella Mae Walton; her husbands’ parents, Edward and Jeanette Szepelak; and her brothers-in-law, Tom and Bob Szepelak.
Funeral Services for Peggy Jane Szepelak will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, October 9, 2023, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
