Elizabeth Faye Harlan, 72, of Joliet, Illinois died unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at her home. Born July 13, 1953 in Chance, Kentucky, Elizabeth was a daughter of Bobby Creal and Etha Mae (Lewis) Wheet.
She was raised in Kentucky until her family moved to Bridgeview, Illinois when she was a young girl. Elizabeth went on to graduate from Reavis High School in Burbank, Illinois, and later settled in Joliet. She was a member of Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church in Bridgeview, and worked for 25 years with Cornerstone Services in Joliet as the secretary for clinical services, as well as being a Mary Kay Independent Sales Consultant for several years.
Elizabeth was a deeply spiritual woman who found great comfort in spending time reading and studying her Bible. She liked to keep busy and was a hard worker, striving to be the best version of herself at all times. Elizabeth's kind, soft-spoken nature was ever prevalent and her love of family and friends was well known to all whom she loved.
SURVIVORS:
2 children: Robert (Emma) Harlan III of Columbia, Kentucky and Bobby Douglas (Jordan) Harlan of Perry, Iowa
7 grandchildren: Autumn Irene (Jason) Miller, Savanna Lee Harlan, Robert W. Harlan IV (Sarah Mcglone), Seth Creal Harlan (Emma Pendleton), Madison Dian Harlan (Matthew Hughes), McInzie Marie Harlan (Joebe), and Milton Harlan
3 great-grandchildren: Kinzlee, Emmalee, and Leilani; one sister, Janice Coffey of Columbia, Kentucky
Sseveral niece and nephews
Longtime friend,: Anna Dorsey-Atkinson
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Gloria Jean Peters.
Cremation rites are being accorded, and the family will receive friends at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway Street, in Coal City on Monday, October 27, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Elizabeth's memory to the family for their distribution.
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photos and share Elizabeth’s memorial page online through social media.
Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland and Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory.
This obituary is a courtesy to the family by Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home.
