Cheryl J. Criss

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Feb. 13 for Cheryl J. Criss, who worked in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Peoria for more than 20 years. She was 79.

Interment was to be in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria after cremation rites were accorded.

Mrs. Criss died Feb. 7, 2023, at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

The daughter of Gilbert and Jane Evelyn (Catcott) Rimington, Mrs. Criss was born in Peoria on April 24, 1943. She married Jim Criss on March 30, 1961, in Watseka and they had five children.

She would earn an associate degree from Illinois Central College, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Mrs. Criss worked as a draftswoman at Caterpillar Tractor and then Lagron-Miller Company in Peoria.

What followed were more than 20 years in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Peoria before she retired in 2015.

Mrs. Criss is survived by Jim, to whom she was married for nearly 62 years; four sons, Mark (Darilynn) Criss of East Peoria; Tom (Beth) Criss of De Pere, Wisconsin; John Criss of Peoria; and Mike Criss of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; three nephews and four nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Susanne Carano; and her daughter, Debbie Ely.

Memorials may be made to Sophia’s Kitchen, 105 N. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, IL 61605.