Dolores H. (Spangler) O’Connor, 89, of Kankakee, died January 6, at Riverside Medical Center surrounded by family. Born August 16, 1933, in Chicago, she was the daughter of Joseph and Stella Ignatowicz Spangler. Delores married Wayne O’Connor on August 18, 1956, at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church, Irwin, celebrating 55 years until his passing.
Delores was a housewife, farmer, and former owner and operator of O’C Micro Systems. She also ran O’Connor Country Kennels for 20 years. She was salutatorian of the 1951 graduating class of Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School and also served as a reporter on the BBCHS newspaper staff. A very active mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she also was an involved member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, CCW Officer, Past Woman of the Year, and CCD teacher.
Delores loved farm life, especially working with the crops and spending time with her Arabian horses. She spent 30 years as an Election Judge in Limestone Township and, after retiring, for many years she volunteered weekly at St. Mary’s Hospital. She had a passion for classic western movies and books, euchre and dominoes, and often could be seen in the audience watching family members participate in sports, achieve honors or awards, reach special milestones, or receive sacraments of the Catholic Church. She was the “glue” that kept her children attending the summer O’Connor family reunion for 31 years, and one always could count on her humor for telling jokes and sending funny birthday cards.
Surviving are three sons, Shawn O’Connor of Limestone, Kevin (Deb) O’Connor of Groveland, and Brandon (Kari) O’Connor of Machesney Park; four daughters, Sharon (Michael) Butz of Westfield, Indiana, Kathleen (Larry) Rieke of Zionsville, Indiana, Bridget (Stephen) Berggren of Chebanse, and Barbara O’Connor of Limestone; 22 grandchildren, Kory (Lindsay) O’Connor, Benjamin (Michelle) O’Connor, Amy (Peter) Blackett, Rebecca Royal, Lucas (Alina) Butz, Sarah (Peter) Schlifke, Tyler (Natalie) Rieke, Connor (Julia) Rieke, Kaylee (Kyle) Gray, Kelsey (Alex) Cairns, Kenzie (Maks) Malec, Tony Souligne, Karen Slater, Dave (Adrianne), Jake, Angel, Nicholas, and Sabrina Souligne, Nathan and Samantha O’Connor, and Elizabeth and Matthew O’Connor; 26 great-grandchildren; sister Phyllis Bisaillon of Herscher; brother Wayne “Buzzy” (Donna) Spangler of Bradley; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne; parents; and a brother Spencer (Tommy) Spangler.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on January 10, at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, Kankakee, with Rev. Matthew Pratscher officiating. Burial is in St. James the Apostle Catholic Cemetery, Irwin.
Memorials may be made to St. John Paul II Catholic Church, Kankakee. Please sign her guestbook at clancygernon.com.