Sylvia C. DeYoung

Sylvia C. DeYoung, age 90, of Calumet City, Illinois passed away at her home surrounded by her family on January 2, 2026. She was born to Anthony and Nell Adams on February 20, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois.

Sylvia is survived by her loving husband Robert; adored children: Barbara DeYoung, Roy (Gloria) DeYoung and Andrew DeYoung; numerous dear nieces and nephews. Sylvia was preceded in death by her sister Loretta Jenkins.

Sylvia was a proud co-owner of the family business, Bob's Body Shop in Calumet City.

Sylvia grew up in Chicago and went to Saint Willibrord High School where she made lifelong friends like Carol Pearson. Our families were close and were involved in each other's family life. She worked at RR Donnelley, a printing company. Through mutual friends, she met a man who captured her attention. Robert and Sylvia were married in 1957. They lived in the Pullman neighborhood for a time then started raising a family in Roseland. Eventually they moved to Calumet City where they lived for the next 57 years.

She was close to her sister and family. Loretta's children still refer to Uncle Bob and Aunt Sylvia as their second parents. When they moved out of state, they talked on the phone every Saturday.

She liked to learn new things and took classes in art and painting. She was active in school PTA, LaCara' Art League, a library volunteer, and since was a vivacious reader, also in book clubs.

One time she told Bob that they were going to take ballroom dancing classes. Bob reluctantly agreed but they continued to dance with Zavada's Dance Studio (Bob and Betty) and the friends they made for decades.

Sylvia also painted for decades. First in oil paint and most notably in watercolor. She accumulated a collection over the years, she donated paintings to fundraisers, gave some to relatives, and made Christmas cards with her work which were cherished by those who received them.

We don't know if she thought about a well-lived life but surely created it with our family. Sylvia was caring, generous, vibrant, artistic, a devoted Catholic, charitable, and welcoming to those she met, a loving mother, wife and sister. Her memory will be forever in our hearts.

Funeral Services will be Monday, January 12, 2026 at Castle Hill Funeral Home: 248 155th Place, Calumet City, Illinois 60409 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Luis officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-8 p.m. and Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the funeral home. Sylvia will be privately laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.