Obituary of Phyllis M. Susner
Phyllis Susner, age 85, died suddenly of sepsis on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home with her cherished son and daughter holding her hand.
Born September 9, 1935 to Frank and Susan (née Marinak) Polich, Phyllis was a graduate of St. Francis Academy and attended Joliet Junior College. She met Jack Susner at a party in Hammel Woods which began a relationship that lasted until his death in 2018. They married on September 8, 1956 at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and had 3 children.
Phyllis was a housewife in the early years when Jack was working and finishing his Master’s degree. In 1973, Phyllis went to work as a travel agent, a job that would lead her and Jack around the world to every continent except Antarctica. She and Jack didn’t just travel to traditional places, they went to some quite primitive areas. One particular story about sleeping in a hut above wild pigs in Indonesia comes to mind. Anyway, if you are over 60 and reading this, chances are Phyllis booked a trip for you. Phyllis was an outgoing, charismatic person who loved and cared for her family and friends greatly. She left an impression on even those with whom she had short encounters, like the girl from a local restaurant who took her phone order and identified the order as “the sweet old lady’s order”. But above all, Phyllis treasured her family, particularly each new generation.
Surviving are her son, James (Sharon) Susner of Joliet; her daughter, Sarah (Daniel) Bush of Minooka; son-in-law, Bartho Caponi; ten grandchildren, Dr Bartho (Andrea) Caponi III, Jonathan (Maggie) Caponi, Holly (Jesse) Magana, Amanda (Paul) Kelaiditis, Angela (Mark) Ferry, Lindsey (Robert) Casares, Thomas Susner, Alyssa Bush, Claire (James) Leyhane and Mallory Bush; 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Virginia Susner; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack (2018), her dear daughter Jan Caponi (1999), her sister Fran Seese (1999) and her parents (1981).
Funeral services for Phyllis will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at St Mary Nativity Church, 706 N. Broadway St., Joliet where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. For those who wish to attend electronically, Mass will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/SMNandHC. Interment will be held privately at St. Mary Nativity Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials in her name to St Joseph Indian School, 1301 N Mani St, Chamberlain, SD 57325, or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
