Obituary of Shirley E. Colaric
Shirley E. Colaric (Eich), age 94, of Joliet, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Shirley is survived by one daughter, Nancy (Joseph) Baltz of Shorewood; four sons, Patrick (Mary) Colaric of Joliet, Brian Colaric of Plano, TX, David Colaric of Shorewood, and Dr. Kenneth (Elizabeth) Colaric of Mt. Juliet, TN; nine grandchildren, Megan Baltz, Marcie (Steve) Duey, Brian (Jane) Baltz, Katelyn Colaric, Kyle Colaric, Zane (Aketzali) Colaric, Jack (Emma) Colaric, Neal Colaric and Mary Elizabeth Colaric; seven great-grandchildren, Christopher Baltz, Charlotte, Hannah and Henry Duey, John Baltz, Evelyn and Fiona Colaric; her sister, Eleanore Beutel, brother Robert “Bob” (Doris) Eich, Sr.; many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald B. Colaric; her parents, Lawrence B. Eich and Mary E. Eich (Meyer), and brother-in-law, George A. Beutel.
Shirley, a native of Joliet, began her elementary education in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from St. Francis Academy high school and College of St. Francis. She was a life-long teacher and mentor to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who lovingly named her “Grandma Shirley”. Shirley loved everything about life, especially her Irish and German heritage, being Roman Catholic, and being an American. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips to the Holy Land, Europe, Russia, Australia, and even a safari in Africa. Another of her favorite pastimes was playing bridge with her friends.
Shirley had a full and active lifestyle of giving to her family, neighbors and community, donating her time to the Troy Township Seniors and numerous charities. She regularly joined friends and neighbors in group exercise at the Inwood Athletic Club. Blessed with exceptional health, she was able to live independently and entertain her friends and family often.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Shirley E. Colaric will be Monday, February 23, 2026, beginning with visitation from 9:00 am to 11:00 a.m., at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Joliet, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Joliet. Inurnment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those who knew and loved Shirley honor her memory by sharing acts of kindness, cherishing their families, and striving to make the world a better place.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com.
