Obituary of Evelean Petrella
Evelean (nee Webb) Petrella, age 88, of Crest Hill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at her home at the Inn of Willow Falls with her family by her side. She was born on November 7, 1935, in Bonifay, Florida, the daughter of the late John Allen and Clara (nee Paul) Webb. After graduating high school, Evelean married the late Frank Petrella in 1954 and settled down in Crest Hill, where they raised their four children.
Evelean was an amazing cook and baker, and her recipes will be cherished for years to come. While raising her children, she was very active in her church and participated on many committees such as St. Anne’s Altar and Rosary Society. She was also involved in various social gatherings and was a member of Phi Beta Epsilon. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved being involved with her children’s lives and carried on the same tradition with her grandchildren. Whenever you needed her, she was there with no questions asked. She thrived having family around and it’s what made her most happy. Evelean was also blessed with a green thumb and always knew the tricks for growing just about anything. She and Frank traveled most of the United States with their children, a beagle named “Fonz” and a pop-up trailer in tow. Their happy place was Panama City Beach, where they owned a home for more than 40 years. Over the decades, Evelean owned a ceramic business as a talented artist, volunteered at the church, schools, traveled, was an avid reader and baked countless pound cakes that were the “best ever!” She will be greatly missed by all.
Evelean is survived by her children, Deborah (Keith) Juhant of Clermont, Florida, Allen (Jeanie) Petrella of New Lenox, Lawrence (Allison) Petrella of Oswego, and Michael (Kristine) Petrella of Romeoville; eight grandchildren, Danielle (Kade) Terrell, Michelle (Justin) Kneer, Nicholas, Alexander, Emma, Sofia, Meghan, and Daniel Petrella; one great grandson, Jackson Coatney; her sister, Winifred (the late Gordon) Koontz; her brother, Paul Webb; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Frank V. Petrella; her parents; her brothers, Doyd Webb and Walter Webb; and her twin sister in infancy, Cathrean.
Visitation for Evelean Petrella will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black (at Essington) Rd., Joliet., then proceeding to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Crest Hill, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Enshrinement will follow at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum in Romeoville. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to Lightways Hospice would be appreciated. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or to leave an online condolence, visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com.
