Obituaries
Janice Heinz Ruggerio, 83, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in her Champaign, IL home.
Janice was born on April 5, 1938 in Peoria, IL to Jerome and Geraldine Heinz. She was the oldest of five children and is survived by her sisters Cathy Duke of Murfreersboro, TN and Teresa Heinz of Peoria, IL and her brothers John Heinz and his wife, Suzette of East Dundee, IL and Dan Heinz and his wife Lisa of Peoria, IL.
She attended grade school and middle school at St. Bernard’s Catholic School. She went on to high school at Academy of our Lady, graduating in 1956. Janice pursued her college career at Bradley University with a concentration in Education. She taught middle school in Peoria following graduation until she was encouraged by her aunt Sister Lydia to pursue an opportunity to go teach in Fulda, Germany. It was this decision that changed her life, as she met her former husband, a then-Lieutenant in the Army stationed on the local post where she was teaching.
Janice was married in July 25,1964 in Peoria and went on to have four children, and 10 grandchildren: Dominic Ruggerio, his wife Nicolle, daughters Danielle and Regan, and son, Joseph of Peoria, IL; Anne Carlson, her husband Jeff and their sons Everett (Rhett) and William (Nash) of Champaign, IL; Mary Mannucci, her husband Daniele and their son Lorenzo of Wheaton, IL; Kathryn ”Katie” Hermann, her husband Steven and their daughters Hannah
(deceased), Madeline, and sons, Steven and Andrew of Hampton, VA.
Janice was a true military wife, moving around the world in support of her husband. She was devoted to her faith, her family, and her friends. She never missed a church service and prayed daily for her family and friends. She wrote religiously to her family and friends spread across the world- never missing a birthday or anniversary. She took great pleasure in her family, always making an effort to gather with her siblings, helping and doing everything she could for her children, supporting her cousins, nieces and nephews, planning adventures with her grandchildren, and enjoying every moment. Her smile was infectious and she was a model of selflessness and brought joy to all she met. She was a voracious reader, lover of the arts, music, travel and loved to share those passions with her friends and family.
She touched so many lives and will be sorely missed.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Peoria, IL on Friday, April 30th at 10:30 am with a visitation immediately preceding the mass at 9:30. Fr. William Miller will officiate and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Catholic Charities of Peoria at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/ or Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters to the Hannah Hermann Fund at chkd.org, or Post Office Box 2156, Norfolk VA 23501-2156.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send condolences to www.wrightandsalmon.com
Previous Events
Visitation
30
Apr
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Funeral Service
30
Apr
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Cemetery Details
Location
7519 N Allen Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
