Candace Ann Marevka

Candace Ann Marevka (nee Balturusis), 78 years old, of Peotone, Illinois passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 3, 1947. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Baltrusis (nee Aitchison). Candace spent her life as a devoted mother, hairdresser, nurse, and friend. She will be remembered above all for her fierce loyalty and loving nature.

Candace dedicated her life to raising her four sons, who were her greatest pride in life. Through every challenge and celebration, she taught them the importance of kindness, hard work, and unconditional love. Her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and an open door for anyone in need.

She began her career as a talented hairdresser, where she enjoyed helping others feel their best while building lasting friendships. When Don and Candace first moved to Peotone, she was a home maker and then later began working at Bennett Industries. Never one to stop learning, she courageously returned to school to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She began her career working as a nurse at Saint Joseph Medical Center and spent the remainder of her career as a home health care nurse, providing comfort and care to countless patients and their families. Nursing wasn’t simply her profession; it was a reflection of the compassionate heart that she carried every day.

In her free time, she found delight in quilting, creating beautiful handmade treasures that wrapped family and friends in warmth and love. Every stitch reflected the care she poured into the lives of those around her. Candace also spent much of her summer gardening. She found joy in canning her fruits and vegetables and teaching all who would listen how to cook using what she had grown.

She has been a part of the Peotone community for most of her adult life. She was one of the founding members of the Peotone Post Prom, creating a safe space for the high school youth after their prom.

Candace never met a stranger. Her kindness, generous spirit, and welcoming nature made everyone feel like family. Whether offering a listening ear, a home cooked meal, words of encouragement, or a helping hand, she gave freely and loved deeply. Her friendships were lifelong and the impact she made on those around her will be remembered forever.

Though her presence will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the lives she has touched, the family she cherished, the quilts she lovingly made, and the countless acts of kindness she inspired. She leaves behind a family who adored her, friends who will forever treasure, and a community of people who were made better because she was a part of it.

Her love was the greatest gift, and it will continue to surround all who were blessed to know her.

She is survived by her sons, Adam and Kelly (nee Reynolds), Edward and Amy (nee Eschbach), Donald and Shelley (nee Morse), and David and Andrea (nee Adams). She leaves behind 14 grandchildren including Victoria Adams, Alexandria (Andrew) Barnard, Trevor (Jessi) Marevka, Emily (Austin) Kuhns, Danielle (Malyk) Pickett, Susannah (Luke) Schubbe, Haily (Miguel) Roa, Joshua Marevka, Justin Marevka, Landen Marevka, Christian Marevka, Brynn Marevka, Van Marevka, and Vincent Marevka. Candace also leaves behind her loving 10 great grandchildren, including Ellis, Paisley, Odin, Levi, Lucy, Iyla, Lyle, Zion, Ava, and Goldie. She is also survived by her brother, Dan and Gayle Baltrusis and her sister-in-law Barbara and Al Piotrowski and countless nieces and nephews.

Candace is preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Marevka, her parents, and in laws, her sister, Loretta Knize (nee Baltrusis), her brother Samuel Baltrusis and her nephew, Jason Kamper.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 pm at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home in Peotone, Illinois. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. at St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Peotone, Illinois. No reception to follow due to interment out of state.

Share a memory at www.feddehelfrichcrossfh.com