Obituary of Edward Frank Masters
Edward Frank Masters
Edward (“Ned”) F. Masters, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on December 14, 2023, in Joliet with his family by his side. He was 77.
Ned is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Lynn Conrad Masters; his children, daughter Melissa (Robert) Surrette, and son Karl (Kristina) Masters; his grandsons, Harris and Hayden Surrette; his granddaughters, Alexa and Alaina Masters; sisters-in-law, Linda (Ken) Joslin and Linda K. Conrad; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Marjorie Masters; his brother, Stephen (Shirley) Masters, and brothers-in-law, Michael McKeon, Bob Conrad, and Cary Conrad.
Born August 7, 1946, Ned was a lifelong resident of Joliet. He graduated from Joliet Township High School and then Drake University. Commuting from Joliet to Chicago via the Rock Island Express, Ned graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1972. He went on to practice in the Will County area for over 50 years rising to Will County State’s Attorney and Chief Judge of Will County.
Ned impacted the lives of many Chicago-Kent students when he established The Masters Family Endowment in 2000 to support externships for students studying labor and employment, an area in which both his daughter and son practiced. Chicago-Kent honored him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2005, and his name resides on the Judge’s Wall in the lobby of the law school. He also served on Chicago-Kent’s Board of Advisors for many years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Masters Family Endowment, Chicago-Kent Advancement. 7565 Solution Center, Chicago, IL 60677-7005, or the Warren-Sharpe Community Center, 454 S. Joliet Street, Joliet, IL 60436.
All friends and relatives are invited to celebrate Ned’s life on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 3 p.m. until time of services at 6:30 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington) Rd., Joliet. For more information, please call 815-741-5500, or to leave an online condolence and to read full obituary, visit his Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.
