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Age of 96, of Crest Hill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 27, 2025, with her loving family at her side.
Born June 10, 1929, in Joliet, Alice was a daughter of James and Lottie (Née Pajack) Maloney and raised on the eastside of Joliet.
On January 6, 1950, she married John Vanisko in St. Thaddeus Catholic Church. They lived in Joliet and later moved to Crest Hill.
Alice enjoyed the craft of ceramics.
She was a longtime member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and the United States Steel Mill retirees.
Alice had a strong faith in God. She loved her family and enjoyed the holidays, birthday, and weekly family breakfast celebrations.
She will be truly missed.
Survivors include her loving children; Joan Gerl and John M. (Judy) Vanisko; grandsons, William “BJ” (Lyneen) Gerl, Jr. and Michael (Kristalyn) Gerl; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Bryce, Brett, Lily, Audry and Liam Gerl; brother, Jim (late Shirley) Maloney and sister, Kitty (Don) Sefcik; and sister-in-law, Shirley Vanisko.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John E. Vanisko; parents, James and Lottie Maloney; son-in-law, William J. Gerl, Sr.; sister, Rosemary (Joseph) DeBretto; sisters-in-law, Helen (Herman) Kanish, Marion (Edward) Mahalik, Dorie (William) Forristal and brother-in-law, Edward Vanisko.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – until the time of prayers at 10:30 a.m. Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet. A procession will follow to St. Ambrose and St. Anne Catholic Church, 1705 Burry Circle Drive, Crest Hill, for a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Anthony Nyamai, officiating.
Alice will be laid to rest beside her husband following a committal service at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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