Hazel Viola Chinski

Hazel Viola Chinski, age 98, of Bourbonnais passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 19, 2023. She was born November 24, 1924 in Ganeer Township, the daughter of John & Mabel (Sommer) Morris. Hazel attended Herscher High School. She earned her GED in 1994 at the age of 69. Hazel married Robert J. Chinski on March 27, 1949 at the Herscher Methodist Church in Herscher, IL. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2022 at the age of 99, having been married for 73 years. Hazel worked in a defense plant at Cadillac Motors in Detroit, MI as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. She had also worked at Bear Brand Hosiery and Domestic Laundry in Kankakee. Hazel worked for Central Community District #4 for 30 years as a bus driver. She was a Four Corners 4 H leader and Den Mother for Boy Scouts Troop 324. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting. Hazel was a 73-year member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where she served as Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Literature person, and on several committees. Surviving are her three children, Donna (Rodney) Pangle of Bourbonnais, Linda Chinski of Chatsworth, and Cindy (Raymond) Colevris of Kankakee; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Kerouac (Scott Steinhart) of Spring Hill, FL, Julie (Jason) Williams of Noblesville, IN, David (Amanda) Kerouac of Bourbonnais, Darrin Mobbs of Chatworth, Adam (Aimee) Chinski of Eastlake, OH, Brett Colevris of Bradley, and Jenna Colevris of Kankakee; two step grandchildren, Eric (Lynn) Pangle of Arlington Heights and Jennifer (Michael) Yahyapour of Scottsdale, AZ; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jacob Tutt and Kolby Tutt of Kankakee, Noah Tutt of Herscher, Kelley Williams, Matthew Williams, and Christopher Williams all of Noblesville, IN, Alexander Kerouac and Logan Kerouac of Bourbonnais, Zachary Mobbs of Bourbonnais, Benjamin Mobbs and Leah Mobbs of Murphysboro, Ryan Chinski and Sarah Chinski of Eastlake, OH; five step great-grandchildren, Matthew Pangle, Colin Pangle, and Jordan Pangle, all of Arlington Heights and Porter Yahyapour and Mila Yahyapour, both of Scottsdale, AZ; two great-great grandchildren, Kynlee Fox and Raylan Fox, both of Bourbonnais; one sister, Edith Winge of Clifton; one brother, Kenneth Morris of Centennial, CO; six sisters-in-law, Lou Hart, Rose (Jim) Swanson, Adeline Chinski, Lois Chinski, Arvella Morris, and Elvira Morris; two brothers-in-law, John “Skip” (Ruthann) Chinski and Daniel Chinski; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Robert “Bob” Chinski, Hazel is preceded in death by one son, Robert J. Chinski Jr.; five sister, Iona Levreau, Etha (Bowers) Gibbs, Thelma Morris, Donna Morris, and Carol Sullivan; and six brothers, Vincent Morris, Milton Morris, John (Jack) Morris, Leo Morris, Harold Morris, and Carl Morris. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the 11 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. Private family inurnment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Chebanse. Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church or Uplifted Care.

Hazel Viola Chinski

November 24, 1924 - August 19, 2023