Finding Joliet Herald-News obituaries today can honestly feel like a bit of a scavenger hunt if you don't know where the digital "hidden doors" are located. One minute you're looking for a neighbor's service times, and the next you're clicking through three different archive sites that all want a subscription. It’s frustrating. But look, in a town like Joliet, the local paper has always been the heartbeat of the community. Whether it's a lifelong steelworker or a retired nurse from St. Joe's, these notices are how we keep track of our people.
Today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the listings are particularly poignant. We’ve seen a handful of names come through that represent decades of local history. If you're looking for someone specific right now, you’ve basically got two paths: the official digital portal or the physical e-edition.
What’s Published in the Joliet Herald-News Today?
The list for this morning includes several long-time residents who shaped the Will County area. For instance, the community is currently remembering Kenneth C. "Ken" Colegrove and Gary L. "Fly" Hassig, a man known as much for his nickname as his deep roots in the city.
Hassig, a 1953 baby and lifelong Joliet resident, passed away on January 10th. His tribute mentions his love for blues concerts and fishing—details that make a person more than just a date on a page. Then there’s Rebecca "Becky" Tyda, a nurse who spent 43 years in the ICU at St. Joseph Medical Center. Honestly, 43 years in the ICU is a lifetime of service. She was a graduate of the Lincoln-Way Class of ’75 and a "hero to all" according to those who knew her.
Other names appearing in the paper or recent online updates include:
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- Nancy J. Moody (Mikus)
- Lorraine Ann Sowa
- Charles "Chuck" Sticklen
- John Edward Olszta
- Nancy I. Orasco
It’s a lot to take in at once. Usually, these notices include the funeral home details, which is what most people are actually hunting for when they search for Joliet Herald-News obituaries today. For Gary Hassig, for example, the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Navigating the Search Without Getting Lost
If you're trying to find a specific person and their name hasn't popped up yet, don't panic. There is often a delay between a passing and the actual publication. Most families work with funeral directors to get these submitted, and the Herald-News typically has a noon deadline the day before publication for Tuesday through Friday editions.
If you miss the paper, the Legacy.com partnership is usually your best bet for a digital backup. They host the searchable database for Shaw Local (the parent company). You can filter by "Today" or "Yesterday," which helps narrow down the clutter.
Why You Might Not Find a Name Immediately
Sometimes people expect to see a notice the day after someone passes. It rarely happens that fast. You've got to account for:
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- Verification: The paper won't print anything without verification from a funeral home or a death certificate.
- The "Weekend" Gap: If someone passes on a Friday night, you might not see the full obituary until the Tuesday or Wednesday edition.
- Private Services: Occasionally, families opt for a "Private Service" notice, which might omit the dates and locations to keep the gathering intimate.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye in Print
It’s expensive. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. While some papers in the region have different structures, placing a notice in the Joliet Herald-News is a significant expense for many families. Generally, you’re looking at a base price that covers the first few lines, with every additional line adding to the bill.
If you want to include a photo—and most people do, because seeing that face matters—you’re likely adding another $50 or more to the total. This is why many families are moving toward shorter "death notices" in the paper that point readers toward a longer, free tribute on the funeral home's own website. It’s a smart move if the budget is tight.
Archive Secrets: Finding Older Records
Need to find someone from three years ago? Or maybe thirty?
For anything within the last decade, the Herald-News digital archives on Legacy are fairly solid. But for the "deep cuts"—genealogy research or long-lost family history—you’ll want to head to the Joliet Public Library. They have the microfilm. Yes, actual microfilm. It's the only way to see the paper exactly as it looked in 1955 or 1982.
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Also, sites like GenealogyBank or NewsLibrary have indexed many of these records, but they usually sit behind a paywall. If you’re a resident, check the library’s website first; they often provide free access to these databases if you log in with your library card number.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you are looking for a specific obituary in the Joliet area right now:
- Check the Official Portal: Go directly to the Shaw Local/Herald-News "Obituaries" tab. It’s updated more frequently than the print edition.
- Search Funeral Home Sites: If the name isn't in the paper yet, check the websites for Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag, Tezak Funeral Home, or Minor-Morris. They often post the full text before the newspaper version goes live.
- Sign the Guestbook: If you find the person you’re looking for, leave a note. In 2026, these digital guestbooks are often printed out by the family and kept as a memento. It costs nothing but means a lot.
- Verify the Service Location: Double-check the church or chapel address. With Joliet’s construction and one-way streets, you don’t want to be running late to a service at St. Raymond's or Mt. Olive.
The reality is that Joliet Herald-News obituaries today serve as more than just news; they are the final record of a life lived in our corner of Illinois. Taking a moment to read them—even for people you didn't know—is a small way to honor the community we all share.
To get the most accurate, up-to-the-minute info, always check the publication date at the top of the digital page, as the "Today" section updates at various times throughout the morning.