Mary J. Hertz

Mary J Hertz, age 86 of Kankakee passed away peacefully Friday morning December 18, 2020 to join her husband Clyde J Hertz and daughter Cathy Harms – Wood in heaven and they will celebrate the birth of Christ together this year. She will long be remembered for her kindness to others and her passion for cooking and baking. Her earliest job was that she owned a diner in Kankakee across from the General Foods plant where she would meet her future husband when he came in to dine quite regularly. She was born to Roland and Helen Gagnon Legg on August 4, 1934 and would marry Clyde on June 27, 1953. They would then own and operate the Bradley Frozen Food Locker in Bradley until 1988. She then went on to work at Hooks Drugs, RPS Alarms and lastly as a patient sitter at Riverside Hospital for 10 years. She is survived by her remaining 3 children and their spouses: Roland Hertz (Jane), Donald Hertz (Claudia), Nanette Hertz and the surviving spouse of Cathy Harms – Wood (Rob Wood). Grandchildren are: Michael Hertz (son of Roland and Jane) Amy Hertz Balsano, Dawn Hertz Spears, Brooke Hertz Deatherage (daughters of Donald and Claudia) Tony Harms and Laura Harms Cantillo (children of Cathy Harms – Wood) Beth Hertz Howell (daughter of Nanette Hertz) Mary also has 11 great-grandchildren. She was a life member of the Exline Sportsmen Club and Auxiliary. Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Exline Sportsmen Club in Kankakee starting at 11AM.