Gale Juritza, 85, of Sheridan passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at home with her daughter by her side. She was born January 28, 1940, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Ervin and Gladys (Schaeffer) Durkee. She married Robert “Bob” Juritza on June 8, 1963, in Downers Grove, IL. Gale attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Somonauk and was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. After graduating high school, Gale worked in banking for ten years and ended up at First National Bank of Hinsdale before she began her greatest adventure, motherhood. Gale participated in her children’s lives endlessly, including being a Girl Scout leader. She never missed an event of children’s and later her grandchildren’s, always their biggest supporter. With a heart like Gale’s, there was plenty of love to share and her kids’ friends felt this love and support through the years as well. Her love and devotion will never be forgotten. In her free time, Gale enjoyed playing bunco, trying her luck at the casino aka “the boat,” gardening, and deer spotting. Her greatest love of all was her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Franzone; her son, Robert “Rob” (Kelli) Juritza; her beloved grandchildren, Christopher, Meghan, Nicholas, Giada; her sister, Susie Cady; her sister-in-law, Bev Michael; nieces, Joan, Cindy, Peggy, Susan, Dawn, Kim, and Shelli; nephew, Leo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob, her husband of 61 years, his parents, Fred and Theresa (Podlesak) Juritza, her siblings, Virginia (Leo) Gilleece and Ervin, her brothers-in-law, Fred Cady and Jim Michael, and excitingly awaiting her is her dog, Scruffy.
Gale’s family would like to thank her caregivers, Savannah and Sydney. As well as the staff at Vitas Hospice, Sarah, Odessa, Anna, and Hava for your dedication and outstanding care.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Gale’s honor at 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Debbie’s home in Sheridan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 Rt. 34 W ~ PO Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
815-498-2363
She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Franzone; her son, Robert “Rob” (Kelli) Juritza; her beloved grandchildren, Christopher, Meghan, Nicholas, Giada; her sister, Susie Cady; her sister-in-law, Bev Michael; nieces, Joan, Cindy, Peggy, Susan, Dawn, Kim, and Shelli; nephew, Leo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob, her husband of 61 years, his parents, Fred and Theresa (Podlesak) Juritza, her siblings, Virginia (Leo) Gilleece and Ervin, her brothers-in-law, Fred Cady and Jim Michael, and excitingly awaiting her is her dog, Scruffy.
Gale’s family would like to thank her caregivers, Savannah and Sydney. As well as the staff at Vitas Hospice, Sarah, Odessa, Anna, and Hava for your dedication and outstanding care.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Gale’s honor at 12:00 noon on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Debbie’s home in Sheridan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Turner-Eighner Funeral Home
13160 Rt. 34 W ~ PO Box 404
Somonauk, IL 60552
815-498-2363
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gale Juritza, please visit our flower store.