Obituary of Elaine M. Onderisin
Elaine M. Onderisin, 78, passed away on January 6, 2021, at St. Anne Hospital in Burien, WA. Elaine was born in 1942, in Joliet, to the late Chester E. and Genevieve M. (nee Fuhrmann) Onderisin. She began her education at St. John the Baptist School and graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1960. She attended Loyola University and De Paul University, where she earned a BS in Mathematics in 1970. She was employed as a Research Analyst at IIT Research Institute, Chicago.
Elaine was an avid reader and enjoyed sketching, painting, and playing the piano. She learned to fish in the Kankakee River in Wilmington, IL, and took up saltwater fishing, and beachcombing after she moved to Vashon, WA in the mid-1980s.
Elaine is survived by her sisters, Therese A. (James R. Postel) Onderisin, Seattle, WA; and Margaret M. Davis, who died after Elaine’s death, on Feb. 5, 2025; six nieces and nephews: Amy C. (Bernard Koontz) Postel, Burien, WA; Gregory J. Postel, Tukwila, WA; Sarah C. (Peter Youngs) Postel, SeaTac, WA; William B. (Jennifer) Davis III, Lincoln, IL; Stephen M. (Pamela Graf) Davis, River Grove, IL; and Jenna L. Davis, Wilmington, IL; and seven grand-nieces and nephews : Caleb and Marissa Davis; Felix, Xavier and Max Koontz; Andrew Boersma; and Michael E. Davis.
Elaine was preceded in death by her grandfather and fishing teacher, John L. Onderisin, her beloved grandmother, Theresa Fuhrmann, and her parents.
Elaine was greatly missed by her sister, Margaret, so they will be celebrated together at a memorial gathering at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, IL, on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 12:30 PM. Inurnment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Joliet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
