- Date Of Birth: October 2, 1926
- Date Of Death: March 9, 2008
- State: Illinois
Lolita J. Junk, 81, of 862 N. Cherry St., Galesburg, died at 12:29 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2008, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Downer’s Grove. Lolita was born on October 2, 1926, in Volga Twp., Clayton County, Iowa, the daughter of George and Teresa Burr Heck.
She married Gene W. Junk on June 10, 1947.
He preceded her in death on August 31, 2005.
Surviving Lolita are 5 sons, Richard (Virgetta) of Galesburg, Steve (Jan) of Downer’s Grove, Jim (Wendy) Peoria, John (Lisa) Woodhull, and Mark (Tisha) of St. Joseph, MI; 3 daughters, Teresa (Richard) Feiertag of Corpus Christi, TX, Jean (Jeff) Haynes of Boston, MA, and Mary (Chris) Bair of Gehring, NE; 2 brothers, George Heck of Clinton, IA and Loras Heck of Elkader, IA; 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was a brother John. Lolita graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque, IA, Lolita has spent the majority of her adult life with her husband Gene in Galesburg.
A successful businesswoman, she was a real estate agent for over 50 years owning Knox Realtors for 20 years, last working at Century 21/Tucker-Swanson. She was a dedicated mother of eight, and also dedicated her entire life to empowering youth as well as the community of Galesburg. A charter member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Lolita served as a teacher, Eucharist Minister, and also as CCD coordinator for both grade school and high school. She was past president of the Ladies of Mary where she served as the Parish Thanksgiving Clothing Drive Chairman for fifteen years. With children in school and a business to run, Lolita was active as president of the PTA for both the grade school and high school. She served on the school board for eight years, where she coordinated programs with District 205 and the parochial schools. During this time period, busing and Title Programs were implemented between the schools. Lolita also made time to serve on the Diocesan School Board, representing the Monmouth Vicariate for six years. She was a member of Galesburg Woman’s Club. Her strong belief in empowering the youth of her community led Lolita to serve as a Member of the State of Illinois Youth Court and County Juvenile Justice Commission. While serving on the County Juvenile Justice Commission, she developed and implemented the Knox County Teen Court Program, which has provided a second chance to over 1,700 first-time, nonviolent offenders between the ages of 11 and 18. In March of 1981, Lolita became a member of the Catholic Charities Galesburg Community Advisory Board. She was instrumental in acquiring a building for the Galesburg office. She worked tirelessly in encouraging others to join in fulfilling their mission. Lolita was extremely recognizable in the community and her promotion of catholic Charities and their programs. Lolita was generous in all of Catholic Charities’ fundraising activities, with financial support, and working with the public. So many groups throughout her community, state, and nation have honored Lolita. She was a recipient of the 2004 Pere Marquette Award, which honors outstanding service in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. Lolita was a member and past president of the Galesburg American Legion Auxiliary. She received recognition from the Illinois American Legion Auxiliary for “Unit Member of the Year,” and received their Community Service Award. She also received the National American Legion Auxiliary “Member of the Year.” In 1998 she received the national “Think Quest” award, which is an education award for helping students. Each student received a $10,000 scholarship for college. She also received numerous awards from the National, State, and Local Associations of Realtors including, 1996 Realtor of the Year from the Galesburg Association of Realtors, the 1998 Illinois Association of Realtors “Citizen of the Year,” and the 2006 National Realtor Magazine “Good Neighbor Award.” In 1998, she received the Athena Award. She received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club in 2007. The Mayor of Galesburg proclaimed a Lolita Junk week in 2004 and 2006 for her national and international recognition of the Knox County Teen Court Program and for service to her community. Her life was truly inspired by Christ. She served and empowered individuals, families, and her community. Her continual strive for excellence was obvious in all that she accomplished. Her work with the youth of Galesburg as well as her commitment to the Community Advisory Board served as an example to all in treating others with dignity and compassion. Lolita’s concrete acts of charity set wonderful examples of what can be accomplished within each community, state, and nation to help provide a better life for each person.
