Harriett E. Gunn, 94, of Yorkville, IL, passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2016, with her family by her side at Hillside Rehabilitation and Care Center, Yorkville, IL. Harriett was born on April 17, 1922, in Loraine, IL and was the daughter of the late Garnett and Frances (Spalding) Gunn of Mendon, IL. She was married September 21, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, to Robert H. Bryant. Later she married Robert L. Miller on August 25, 1976 in Albuquerque, NM.
She graduated from Quincy High School in Quincy, IL and attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO on a voice scholarship. She was an interior decorator for J. C. Penney in Quincy and Chicago; Henry G. Garrelts; Hildman and Bryden in Quincy, IL. Harriett was a former member of Altrusa Club of Quincy. Peoria Women’s Club President, PTA President and Girl Scout leader in Pontiac, IL.
During her life she loved gardening, traveling, antiquing, and decorating. She was a great bridge player into her late 80s. Also a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan and after moving to Chicago in 1998 became a devoted Chicago Bulls fan. Throughout her life she attended the First Congregational Church. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and friends especially at “The Farm” in Mendon, IL. She loved animals, especially her pugs.
Surviving are: daughter, Bobette Bryant (Ken) Stefani of Yorkville, IL; grandson, Michael (Colleen) Stefani, of Naperville, IL; granddaughter, Michele (Marc) Benz, of Simpsonville, SC; five great-grandchildren, Tyler and Tanner Stefani, Bradley, Chase, and Bailey Benz; six nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceding her in death were: her parents, husbands; and brother, John “J.B.” Gunn.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff at Hillside Rehabilitation and Care Center and Journey Care Hospice.
Per Harriett’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A memorial service is pending at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 24021 Royal Worlington, Naperville. Private family interment will be held this summer at Mendon Cemetery, Mendon, IL.
Also, per Harriett’s wishes, donations to the Mendon Cemetery (Maintenance Fund), c/o Hunter Funeral Home, 208 North State Street, Mendon, IL 62351 would be appreciated. You are invited to share memories of Harriett and leave condolences at www.hunterfuneralhomes.com.
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Bobette, Ken, and families: Who would have ever thought that we would lose both of our mothers in the same year? They were both best friends and relatives living across the highway from “The Farm” for so many wonderful years. Meanwhile, you and I were the “only child” in both families. Cherish all of the many happy times that our families have spent together with graduations, weddings, showers, dinners, and just plain “good old days at the table” looking out the window in the farm kitchen at the lovely rows of pine trees! We know that they lived their lives the way that they wanted until these last few years when the medical problems took over their lives (and ours, too), but at least we were both there at the end of their lives with them at the nursing homes to see them rest in peace forever. At least we did everything possible that we could do for them during their wonderful lives, too. Now we will go into a new chapter of our lives without them, but we know neither of them would have wanted to continue life as it had been for the past year without all of their activities that they so enjoyed for many years. Love and thoughts to each of you in this difficult time in our lives. Becky, Mark, and Marshall