Obituary: Cyril William Habiger

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Cyril William Habiger

Cyril William Habiger passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Rush University Medical Center surrounded by his family, after a 15 year-battle with Arterial Pulmonary Hypertension.

He was known to most as Bill and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diane (Felbinger); his three children, Scott Habiger of Joliet, David (Sharon) Habiger, of Boca Grande, FL, and Kathleen (George) Panagopoulos of Naperville; six grandchildren, Tyler (Shane) Conlin, Jacinda Dorian, Carolyn and Hannah Habiger, Peter and Liam Panagopoulos, and one great-grandson, Lucas Hildrath.He is also survived by his three sisters, Helen McClellan, Virginia Clark, Grace (Carl) Barben, and one brother, Robert Habiger.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Cyril and Nola Habiger of Salina, Kansas; his first wife, Carolyn, nee Carew (1970), and his sister Irene Gorman.

Bill was raised on a farm in Salina, Kansas, where he developed a strong work ethic and practical mechanical skills, that served him throughout his life. He began his education in a two-room schoolhouse in Bavaria, Kansas, then attended Sacred Heart High School in Salina. Bill went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University, followed by an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago.He put his engineering and business education to practical use in both his career and daily life.

Bill retired from Caterpillar after a distinguished 30-year career where he was awarded 27 patents. Bill next formed Lincolnshire Properties Inc. where he thrived developing both commercial and residential properties and becoming the owner and operator of the Lincolnshire Business Center. Tenants valued his professionalism and prompt attention to their concerns. Known for his remarkable ability to repair and rebuild almost anything, Bill took pride in leaving every property in better condition than when he acquired it.

As a property manager and developer, he distinguished himself by acquiring a range of commercial and residential properties.One of his most notable projects was the restoration of the Opera House Building in downtown Plainfield, which housed the popular Clock Tower Restaurant. In recognition of this achievement, he received the prestigious 2018 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Rehabilitation. A lifelong car enthusiast, Bill also found joy in restoring and driving vintage vehicles, combining his mechanical skills with his passion for classic cars.

In 2016, Bill was awarded the De LaSalle Award from Lewis University. He served on the board of the Community Foundation of Will County for several years and was awarded its Community Service Award in 2021.Bill was always proud of having served as a member of the Will County Preservation Society and especially enjoyed serving on the Building and Grounds Committee of Joliet Catholic Academy.He served on this committee for several years and also on the Woodedcreek Homeowners’ Association Board. He was a board member and former president of the Illinois Professional Engineers Society.

Bill will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband to Diane and a kind, supportive father to his three children, Scott, David and Kathleen. He was deeply respected and loved by his children and grandchildren.

A Memorial Visitation for Cyril William “Bill” Habiger will be Friday, August 14, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd (at Essington Rd) Joliet.

All friends and relatives are invited to meet Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 N. Brookforest Avenue (Rt 59) in Shorewood, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m.

As it was Bill's request, cremation rites have been accorded and his final earthly remains will be interred in the family plot in Brookville, Kansas, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to Joliet Catholic Academy, the University of St. Francis or Silver Cross Hospital.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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