Venita W. Marek

Venita W. “Vee” Marek, 88 of Bradley died Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born April 4, 1924 in Flickerville, Rockville Township, IL the daughter of Stanley R. and Mamie Mae Wilcox Cabit. She married Joseph E. Marek on February 17, 1941 in Davenport, Iowa. He preceded her in death on November 6, 2001. She was known for sending greeting cards to everyone. She also placed a dollar bill in each card for all different occasions, giving her the nickname “dollar lady.” She never met a stranger. She enjoyed playing Bingo and the slot machines. She liked to travel and stay with her family. She was a lifelong member of the Bradley American Legion Auxiliary, the Bradley VFW Auxiliary, and the Mothers of WW II. She was a member of the Bradley Moose, the Daughters of Isabelle, Blue Star Mother’s Member, and associate member of the Gold Star Mother’s. She was an avid Cub fan. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Surviving are her children, Judy Pollock of Bourbonnais, Pat Colclasure-Smith & David Smith of Burlington, Wisc., Joseph “Jim” & Faye Marek of St. Anne, Edward & Karen Marek of Pace, FL, Barbara Clodi-Ward of Spring, TX, Kay (Venita) & Cliff Donovan of Kankakee, Cathy Burk of Watseka, Stanley “Buddy” & Paula Marek of Paris, IL, Donna & Jim Cannon of Hendersonville, NC, Rosie & Mark Moreland of Aurora, CO, Marie Marek & Kathy Ashcraft of Bradley, and Brian Marek of Stillwater, Oklahoma; 38 grandchildren; 103 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; one sister, Arlene Marcukaitis of Peotone; one brother, Kenneth Cabit of Monee; and one daughter-in-law, Heather Askew. She is preceded in death by her parents; two children, Michael Angelo Marek and Thomas Michael Marek; one sister, Marle & Donald Schultz; brother-in-law, Adam Marcukaitis; sister-in-law, Thelma Cabit; five sons-in-law, Walter Pollock, Larry S. Clodi, Tom Ward, George Burk Sr., and Andy Colclasure; four grandchildren, Donna Jo Clodi, Joseph Donald Clodi, Brandon Reiley, and Bonnie Colleen Marek; one great-grandchild, Ashley Rene Morales; and two great-great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Rev. John Anczak will celebrate the mass. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the mass. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley or the family wishes. Vee asked that when she passed away to continue to “pay it forward” by giving a dollar to someone in need.

Venita W. Marek

April 4, 1924 - September 26, 2012