Obituary of Marilyn Neilis

Marilyn J. Neilis (nee Schwab) Born June 27, 1934 Died October 17, 2015 In the waking light of this past Saturday morning, our devoted mother and grandmother departed this life in the peaceful calm of her surroundings at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home. After a year-long battle with lung cancer and several other ailments, this remarkably resilient womans' journey had concluded; or perhaps had just begun. We trust in our faith that her beautiful soul has been reunited with those of her family and friends, including her husband of 60 years, James "Jim" Neilis (2013); daughter, Terri Rys (2012); son, James "Chip" Neilis, Jr. (2004); as well as her mother, Mary Gusich Kane, father, Lester Schwab, sister, Jackie French and brother-in-law, William "Bill" Neilis. She will be deeply missed by her surviving family, two daughters, Debbie (Cliff) Spencer and Nancy Neilis; four grandchildren, Brooke (Josh) Spencer , J.R. Neilis, Jennifer Neilis and Nicole Semplinski; four great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Marilyn was born in Joliet and a lifelong resident. She was a graduate of St. Francis Academy, Class of 1952. She and Jim were married in 1954 and as they started their family, she became immersed in supporting her husbands and childrens endeavors. As her children became adults, she began working for Joliet Township High Schools, initially at the East campus and then the Central campus and ultimately the West campus until she retired after nearly 35 years of service. We will always admire and remember her strength, courage and devotion to her family and friends. The Neilis family would like to invite all friends and relatives to join them in honoring Marilyn on Friday, October 23, 2015 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet, where visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the Memorial service begins at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Jim McGuire will officiate. Interment will take place later at Elmhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to her family for future disbursement to some of Marilyn's favorite causes. For information: 815-741-5500.