Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory provides compassion

Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory

Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory provides compassionate funeral and cremation services to families throughout Will, Grundy, and Kendall Counties in Illinois. With a deep commitment to supporting the community, the funeral home serves as a trusted partner for those navigating the loss of a loved one across the region and beyond. As an approved airline transportation specialist, they also facilitate nationwide and global funeral services with professional care. Beyond traditional funeral arrangements, the firm specializes in comprehensive preplanning and aftercare support. They offer an extensive online grief resource library developed in partnership with Dr. Alan Wolfelt, providing families with practical tools for healing. Additionally, the team actively engages in community outreach by offering public speaking services and specialized programs designed to support individuals and groups through the grieving process. Families can expect a personalized approach that prioritizes emotional well-being and meaningful remembrance. By combining professional funeral direction with ongoing educational resources, Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory ensures that every family receives the guidance and understanding necessary during their most difficult times.

Will County

John Ferak

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Joliet

Illinois

Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory provides compassionate funeral and cremation services to families throughout Will, Grundy, and Kendall...

Become a Volunteer Meal Driver: Just 2 Hours a Week

Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois

For thousands of older adults across Illinois, a knock at the door is more than just a food delivery—it is a vital lifeline. At Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois (MOWFNI), we are dedicated to helping our senior neighbors live independently, safely, and with dignity in the homes they love. We achieve this through nutritious food, wellness checks, and the power of human connection, but we cannot do it alone. The Power of Our Volunteers Our volunteers are the heartbeat of MOWFNI. If you have just two hours a week to spare, you can make a profound difference. Delivering meals fits seamlessly into a midday routine or lunch break. As a volunteer driver, you do far more than hand over a meal; you provide a friendly smile, a warm conversation, and a crucial safety check for a senior who might not see anyone else that day. We offer flexible scheduling that allows you to volunteer weekly, monthly, or as part of a team with coworkers or friends. Our Core Programs: Home-Delivered Meals: We provide hot, dietitian-approved meals delivered directly to the doorsteps of those who cannot cook or shop for themselves. Community Cafes: Beyond home delivery, our vibrant Community Cafes offer a welcoming space for active older adults to gather, enjoy a delicious lunch, socialize, and build meaningful friendships that combat senior isolation. Make a Local Impact Today When you support or volunteer with MOWFNI, you are directly investing in the health and happiness of older adults right here in our neighborhood. Whether you are looking to give back during retirement, connect with your community, or get your local business involved in a meaningful cause, there is a place for you in our volunteer family. Join us in delivering more than a meal. Visit mowfni.org/volunteer-sign-up to fill out a brief volunteer application, or call us today to learn how you can start changing lives—one hour, one smile, and one senior at a time.

Andrea Earnest

Bolingbrook

For thousands of older adults across Illinois, a knock at the door is more than just a food delivery—it is a vital lifeline. At Meals on Wheels for...

Enrollment is open! Accepting children ages 6 weeks–12 years

Kiddie Kampus Learning Center, Inc.

We’re proud to be a family‑owned and operated, fully licensed daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. At Kiddie Kampus, we’ve created a nurturing, safe, and engaging space where every child can learn and grow. We’d love to welcome your family into ours!

Channahon-Minooka

We’re proud to be a family‑owned and operated, fully licensed daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. At Kiddie Kampus, we’ve created a...

Hope, healing & justice for abused children.

Will County Children's Advocacy Center

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center was founded in 1995 by State's Attorney James Glasgow to partner with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) comprised of law enforcement, DCFS investigators, medical personnel, prosecutors, and Will County CAC forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists in response to reports of severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, commercial exploitation, neglect, and exposure to violence of children, in Will County, IL. Our Will County CAC intake/MDT coordinator, forensic interviewers, family advocates, and trauma therapists provide the following services: * Forensic Interviews: After a child is referred to the Will County CAC by law enforcement or the IL Dept. of Family Services (DCFS), our Intake Coordinator schedules a forensic interview for the child. One of our 4 forensic interviewers listens to the child’s story and asks non-leading, developmentally-appropriate questions as the child talks about the trauma he/she has experienced. Law enforcement, prosecution, DCFS, and mental health professionals observe the interview from a separate room. This reduces trauma for the child and provides a stronger foundation if the case goes to court. * Family Advocacy: Our family advocates are committed to helping each family navigate the complex systems that a family enters when a child makes an outcry of abuse. As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution and healing process, the team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights and successfully access resources that will help their family during crisis. * Trauma-Focused Therapy: Our team of licensed clinical social workers provide short-term, trauma informed therapy to children who have received a forensic interview. Since child abuse affects the whole family, the services are available at no cost to both the child and their non-offending family members. Individual and group therapy is offered in English and Spanish.

Will

Crest Hill

The Will County Children's Advocacy Center was founded in 1995 by State's Attorney James Glasgow to partner with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)...

The 100th Pizza Place to open in town...but also the best!

Not Another Pizza Joint

Whenever a new business is opening in town, the first thing people say is “I hope it’s not another pizza joint!” We sure do have enough of them here. But it’s time we had an authentic south side of Chicago pizza like you had when you were growing up...the thin and crispy crust, the browned cheese...brought home in a paper bag, not a cardboard box. A real mom and pop place, not another chain. We use all of the freshest ingredients, and make our dough and sauce from scratch daily. We are open inside the Hive Kitchen every Wednesday-Friday 12-9pm and Saturday, 4-9pm for carryout or delivery only. Check out our menu and place delivery orders at www.napj.pizza

Whenever a new business is opening in town, the first thing people say is “I hope it’s not another pizza joint!” We sure do have enough of them...

WILMINGTON, IL —Blake Wherry, a 21-year-old from Wilmington's 26200 block of West Willow Lane, is being kept in the Will County Jail following arrest over the weekend by the Will County Sheriff's Office in connection with serious charges of criminal sexual assault against a minor. According to sheriff's office spokeswoman Elizabeth Matthews, back on April 23, 2025, the Will County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a criminal sexual abuse case that had initially been reported to the Wilmington Police Department the day before. She said that due to the location of the crime, Wilmington PD transferred the case to the WCSO. Last week, a Will County judge issued a bench warrant for Wherry's arrest, on Aug. 26, and he was captured over the weekend. Matthews said that the preliminary investigation shows that Wherry sexually abused a juvenile victim in March of 2025. Wherry is now being charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13-17, but the suspect is at least 5 years older than the victim. Joliet Patch will update this story following Monday morning's appearance at the Will County Courthouse for Wherry. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors are filing a pretrial detention petition seeking to keep the Wilmington 21-year-old detained while his criminal case is pending.

WILMINGTON, IL —Blake Wherry, a 21-year-old from Wilmington's 26200 block of West Willow Lane, is being kept in the Will County Jail following arrest over the weekend by the Will County Sheriff's Office in connection with serious charges of criminal sexual assault against a minor.

According to sheriff's office spokeswoman Elizabeth Matthews, back on April 23, 2025, the Will County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a criminal sexual abuse case that had initially been reported to the Wilmington Police Department the day before. She said that due to the location of the crime, Wilmington PD transferred the case to the WCSO. Last week, a Will County judge issued a bench warrant for Wherry's arrest, on Aug. 26, and he was captured over the weekend.

Matthews said that the preliminary investigation shows that Wherry sexually abused a juvenile victim in March of 2025. Wherry is now being charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13-17, but the suspect is at least 5 years older than the victim. Joliet Patch will update this story following Monday morning's appearance at the Will County Courthouse for Wherry. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors are filing a pretrial detention petition seeking to keep the Wilmington 21-year-old detained while his criminal case is pending.