Maria Louis Kanellis

Maria L. Kanellis, age 95 of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024 at The Pavilion of Ottawa surrounded by her loving family

Visitation will be from noon until the funeral services at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home with Fr. Anastasios Theodoropoulos officiating. Interment will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.

Maria was born April 8, 1929 in Sparta, Greece, a daughter of Louis and Angie (Kastanis) Vavaroutsos. She married William "Bill" Kanellis September 18, 1955 in Sparta, Greece. He preceded her in death March 29, 2020. Maria is survived by two sons, Louis W. (Tami) Kanellis and Pete (Sally) Kanellis all of Ottawa; three brothers, Nick (Helen) Vavaroutsos of Ottawa, John (Kathy) Vavaroutsos of Greece and Tom (Maria) Vavaroutsos of Ottawa; and a sister, Antoinette (Jim) Hondros of Joliet. Maria also leaves grandchildren, Maria (Mike) Bennett, Billy (Kelly) Kanellis, Janny (Nick) Chmielewski, Mitchell and Jordan Kanellis; and great-grandchildren, Addison, Gunner and Norrah Kanellis, Fredrica and Carver Bennett, Harper, James and Benjamin Chmielewski., She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill and a brother, Koolie Vavaroutsos.

Maria was a member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet. She was a great help to her husband, Bill, doing whatever was needed in the operation of the Ottawa Grill and Ottawa House restaurants. In her leisure time, Maria enjoyed sewing and knitting and flower gardening. She dearly loved her grandchildren and children and treasured the time spent with them.

Memorial contributions may be directed to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435. To share a memory, please visit www.gladfelter-roetker.com ,