Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1929
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
Maria Kanellis Obituary
Born: April 8, 1929
Died: July 29, 2024
Maria L. Kanellis, age 95 of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at The Pavilion of Ottawa surrounded by her loving family
Visitation will be from noon until the funeral services at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos officiating. Interment will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
Maria was born April 8, 1929 in Sparta, Greece, a daughter of Louis and Angie (Kastanis) Vavaroutsos. She married William "Bill" Kanellis September 18, 1955 in Sparta, Greece. He preceded her in death March 29, 2020. Maria is survived by two sons, Louis W. (Tami) Kanellis and Pete (Sally) Kanellis all of Ottawa; three brothers, Nick (Helen) Vavaroutsos of Ottawa, John (Kathy) Vavaroutsos of Greece and Tom (Maria) Vavaroutsos of Ottawa; and a sister, Antoinette (Jim) Hondros of Joliet. Maria also leaves grandchildren, Maria (Mike) Bennett, Billy (Kelly) Kanellis, Janny (Nick) Chmielewski, Mitchell and Jordan Kanellis; and great-grandchildren, Addison, Gunner and Norrah Kanellis, Fredrica and Carver Bennett, Harper, James and Benjamin Chmielewski., She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill and a brother, Koolie Vavaroutsos.
Maria was a member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet. She was a great help to her husband, Bill, doing whatever was needed in the operation of the Ottawa Grill and Ottawa House restaurants. In her leisure time, Maria enjoyed sewing and knitting and flower gardening. She dearly loved her grandchildren and children and treasured the time spent with them.
Memorial contributions may be directed to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435. To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com,
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Maria Kanellis
Sponsored by Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
3 Entries
Allen Saunders Jr
October 9, 2024
Dear Kanellis and Vavaroutsos families,
I am deeply saddened to learn about Mrs. Kanellis' passing and I continue to keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers. I never knew Mrs. Kanellis or her family personally but only through the social media of her granddaughter Maria, who has the honor of being named after her.
She was a very kind and loving person who loved her family and everyone whom she met.
What a difficult decision it had to have been for her and Bill to leave their native Greece and resettle in the United States in the years that followed World War II having to learn a new language and become familiar with a new culture, yet they succeeded and become a part of our American Family while still retaining their rich heritage and passing them along to their next generations. You all were so blessed to have both her and Bill in your lives for so many years!
I've been keeping Mike and Maria in my prayers as well due to her ongoing health issues and the impacts it's having on them and the rest of the family.
I pray that God will fully heal Maria of her illness and bless her to live many years as possible just like her grandmother.
Please accept my deepest condolences and continued prayers,
Allen W. Saunders Jr---Ashland, Virginia
Lesley Young
August 18, 2024
Louis, so very sorry to learn of your mother´s passing. I remember your parent´s restaurant and admired your family. We grew up on the east side of Ottawa and attended Washington school together. God bless your family. Lesley Young
The Staff of Gladfelter Funeral Home
July 30, 2024
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Maria Kanellis's name
Memorial Events
for Maria Kanellis
Aug
3
Funeral services provided by:
Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home & Cremation Services1601 East Norris Drive, Ottawa, IL 61350
How to support Maria's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Maria Kanellis's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
