Minnette (Watson) Terlep

Minnette (Watson) Terlep, 85, passed away August 13, 2024, with her family at her side.

Minnette was born and raised in Danville, Ill. where she attended Danville High School and was later employed by her father, Francis, at Hill Lumber Company.

She was the daughter of Francis Otis Watson and Maurine Minnie (Herren) Watson and was the youngest of three daughters.

On March 25, 1972 she wed William Robert Terlep and together they raised two children, Gina Minnette (Michaelson) Lewellyan and John Francis Terlep in Joliet/Shorewood. As empty nesters, they lived in Nashville, Tenn., Cincinnati, and Wheaton, Ill. before settling in Woodruff on Little Arbor Vitae Lake.

During her career she enjoyed working/consulting for several companies including St. Joseph’s Hospital in Joliet, Ill., Hospital Corporation of America, UASI, Amphion Medical Solutions, and iMedX, in various corporate health information management positions. She also graduated from St. Francis University, Joliet, Ill., with a bachelor degree in health sciences.

Her greatest achievement in life was seeing her children happily married and having families of their own. Gina and her husband David K Lewellyan have four children, Colleen Minnette, Patrick Keenan, Ryan Joseph, and Kaitlyn Marie. John and his wife Sheila Maye (Griffith) have three children, William Joseph (wife Kendall and daughter Glenna), Elizabeth Nichole (fiancé Max Voirol), and Shane Griffin.

Minnette also leaves behind her beloved fur baby, Brandy, who was given to her for companionship after Bill passed.

Minnette is also survived by Richard and Barb Terlep, Martin Terlep, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by sisters Ellen Marie (Johnny) Greene, LouAnn Irene (Charles) Handley as well as Carol Terlep, Edward (Gloria) Terlep, and nephew Kerry Terlep.

Illinois Cremation Society is in charge of cremation. A celebration of life Mass was held Monday Aug. 19 at St. Scholastica Church in Woodridge, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Minnette’s name may be sent to Lakeland Pantry, c/o Howard Young Foundation, P.O. Box 470 Woodruff, WI 54568, or Hoover’s Hause All Dog Rescue, S47 W30760 HWY 59, North Prairie, WI 53153. www.hoovershausealldogrescue.com.