Rhonda L. Mailloux

Some people live long lives, scattered here and there with triumphs and achievements. Others, like Rhonda Mailloux, are granted a short time on earth, but are able to fill every day of their lives with energy, live and love. A true “mother hen”, Rhonda was a young lady with a heart for others, worrying and caring for everyone around her. With her thoughtful and generous heart coupled with her fun loving spirit, Rhonda brought light and life to all those within her reach.

The decade that gave us MTV, New Wave and Nintendo was the same one that also gave us Rhonda Louise Mailloux. It was a fast paced period in our nation’s history, when trends changed from minute to minute and you never knew what computers were going to be able to do next. It was into these exciting times that Rhonda was born on July 10, 1980, in Kankakee, Illinois to Thomas and Sandra (Highland) Mailloux.

From the time that Rhonda was very young, she exude concern for everyone around her, and like a mother hen, tried to take care of them all. Rhonda especially loved children and found the perfect job for herself among the staff at Sweet Pea’s Daycare. She looked forward every day to seeing the smiling faces of her special angels: Jaqui, Travis, Dillan, Reagan, Reed, Clayton, Destiny, Camren and Ryle; though she will be missed by so many more that passed through her care.

Rhonda’s fun loving and sociable personality won her many friends. A typical girl, she loved to go shopping and there wasn’t a shoe she didn’t like. Though, she was pretty fussy about everything having to be perfect, like the way the dinner table was set. She was particular about the music she listened to too – she loved country music, and anything sung by hottie Kenny Chesney. In her quieter moments, Rhonda liked to watch true crime TV. A big sports fan, she faithfully cheered on the Chicago Black Hawks and White Sox and NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhart, Jr.

Rhonda’s concern for others never faded, even as sick as she was. She was a natural source of love, comfort and hope for so many. Rhonda was determined to live to see her 30th birthday, though fate had other plans. She passed away at her home in Bradley, Illinois on Monday, June 7, 2010.

“You finally have your halo now.”

Rhonda is survived by her parents: Thomas Joseph Mailloux of Effingham, Sandra Grills of Cabery and her stepfather, Max Grils of Gilman; a son, Dillan Stamm of Bradley; goddaughter, Rylee Grant of KY; brothers: John (Nancy) Summers of KY, Damian Mailloux of KY; sisters: Sonja Mailloux of Bradley, Mia Mailloux of Bradley, Crystal Mailloux of Bradley and Dawn Mailloux of Bradley; paternal grandparents, Omer (Lorraine) Mailloux of Kankakee; maternal grandfather, Charles Highland of KY; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Wanda Louise Waldrop, and uncle, Jim Mailloux.

Funeral services will be held at the Kankakee Chapel of Schreffler Funeral Homes on Saturday, June 12, at 10:00 a.m. A time for friends and family to gather will be held at the Kankakee Chapel of Schreffler Funeral Homes on Friday, June 11, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please visit Rhonda’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book.