Patricia & Wayne McCarty

Wayne & Patricia McCarty, of Bradley, passed away on June 30, 2025. Wayne was born June 23, 1936, in Kankakee, IL, to Clyde & Alice (Rivard) McCarty. Pat was born on January 8, 1937, in Kankakee, IL, to Sigmond and Pauline (McPheeters) Klafta. Wayne and Pat started their love story at St. Joseph School in Bradley, where they attended grade school together. They started going steady in the eighth grade and were each other’s soulmates and lifelong companions. Pat was married to her beloved Wayne Joseph for 69 beautiful years. They were blessed with seven children, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Wayne and Pat were the proud owners of McCarty & Sons Automatic Transmission shop in Bradley, IL, for 30 years. Wayne was an avid lover of cars, particularly antique cars. When he would share stories from his past, they almost always included the vehicle either he or the other person was driving at the time. He was a Ford guy through and through, and if you drove anything other than a Ford, you heard about it. He also enjoyed racing stock cars and passed that love on to some of his children and grandchildren. He was mechanically inclined and was always there to lend a helping hand when something needed to be fixed, moved, etc. He had a wonderful sense of humor and absolutely loved when he could scare someone by hiding around a corner, or making you jump when he shouted “snake” while poking you in the back of the leg. He enjoyed relaying the jokes he heard from his coffee buddies and belly laughed at America’s Funniest Home Videos. Pat loved reading and always had a book ready to go next to her when she could sit down and relax. She was extremely organized, and not only managed a household with seven children, but also the family business, elderly family members, and rental properties. She was known for her astute financial management and responsible approach to saving and investing, and passed that importance on to her loved ones. Pat valued exercise to keep her body mobile and rode her iconic yellow, three-wheeled bike to mass every morning, despite rain, sleet, or snow. She was many people’s go-to person for advice, support, and prayers, and her greatest joy came from helping others. Pat’s unwavering dedication to her faith, family, and community will be remembered, and she leaves behind a legacy of unselfish love, patience, compassion, and forgiveness. Both Wayne and Pat’s primary focus was their family and their faith. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph Church, Bradley, IL, where they both attended mass daily. They were extremely proud of all of their children and grandchildren and loved family get-togethers. They placed the utmost importance on keeping their family intact and taught them to support each other through all of life’s ups and downs by relying on their faith. They leave behind six children: Dave (Debra) McCarty, Kankakee, IL; Diana (Andy) Digiacomo, Vero Beach, FL; Steve (Julie) McCarty, Bourbonnais, IL; Don (Nicole) McCarty, Bourbonnais, IL; Teresa (Kevin) Johnson, Bourbonnais, IL; Janet (Jason) Williams, Sebastian, FL. Wayne & Pat’s grandchildren and great grandchildren: Kristin (Matt) Bailey & son Nicholas, Matt (Rayanne) McCarty & daughter Madelyn, Patrick (Jordan) McCarty; Alex (Meghan) Digiacomo and son Jackson; Abbey (Matt) Frey & daughter Amelia; Keana (Hayden) Parker & son Sunny; Ben McCarty; Austin McCarty; Ethan McCarty, Grace Johnson, Owen McCarty Wayne’s surviving brother is Robert (Jan) McCarty, Manteno, IL, and Pat’s surviving sister is Shirley Swain, Kankakee, IL. Loved ones who have passed: their son Michael McCarty; Wayne’s parents Clyde & Alice McCarty; Pat’s parents Sigmond & Pauline Klafta; Wayne’s siblings Cal (Dolores) McCarty & Norma (Roy) White; brother-in-law Tony Swain Family, friends, and others are invited to attend a visitation from 11:00 am-12:00 pm at St. Joseph Church, Bradley, IL., which is followed by a noon celebration of life mass on Monday, July 14, 2025.. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, Bradley, IL.

Patricia & Wayne McCarty

January 8, 1937 - June 30, 2025