Dorothee Rose Tjelle, age 94, of Carbon Hill, Illinois died Thursday evening, October 20, 2022 surrounded by family at the Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois. Born November 14, 1927 in Coal City, Illinois, Dorothee Rose was a daughter of James and Rose (Mlynek) Vilt. She was raised and educated in Coal City and was a graduate of Coal City High School with the class of 1945. On November 26, 1949, Dorothee married Everett Tjelle in St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, and together they made their home in Gardner, before relocating to Coal City. Dorothee was a former member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington, and currently belonged to Assumption Parish in Coal City, where she was a member of The Martha’s. Dorothee served as a 4-H leader, and most recently was an active volunteer, assisting with the Carbon Hill Home-coming for many years; St. Vincent’s Table, where she baked and provided desserts weekly; The Coal City Clothes Closet; and MOMS Cookies. She enjoyed dancing, as well as gardening and flowers. Family was always the center of Dorothee’s life and she cherished the time she was able to spend with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings. She was also for certain to be in attendance for any and all of her grandchildren’s activities. Survivors include her children: Dennis (Margene) Tjelle of Dwight; Alan Tjelle of Carbon Hill; Diane Cramer of Saunemin; LuAnn (Randy) Bradbury of Odell; and JoAnn (Loren) Koenig and Brian Tjelle, both of Carbon Hill. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ron Vilt of Wilmington; two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Vilt of Carbon Hill and Phyllis Tjelle of Dwight; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothee was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett Tjelle (January 9, 1990); son-in-law, Kenny Cramer; brother, Richard “Hotshot” Vilt; sister, Bette Stutts; and her special friend and companion, Franklin Bevan. The family received friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway, Coal City on Monday, October 24, 2022 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Rev. Josh Miller, with Deacon William Dunn assisting, Tuesday morning, October 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 215 S. Kankakee Street, Coal City. Burial: Sacred Heart Cath-olic Cemetery in Campus, where she was laid to rest with her late husband. Pallbearers: Jim Muser, Jordan Koenig, Craig Cramer, Chris Cramer, Luke Tjelle, Jake Tjelle, and Shane Wep-precht. Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Dorothee’s memory to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431; Paralyzed Veterans of America, P.O. Box 758542, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8542; and St. Vincent’s Table or the Assumption Building Fund, c/o 195 S. Kankakee Street, Coal City, IL 60416. Family and friends are encouraged to log on to www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guestbook, upload photographs, and share Dorothee’s memorial page online through social media. Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)