Joan Elizabeth Briel

Joan Elizabeth Briel, 79, of Downers Grove, formerly of Ottawa, died Jan. 2. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at St. Columba Church, with the Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, with a rosary at 4 p.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. She was born Nov. 29, 1929, in Ottawa, to George and Marian (Carroll) Fancher. She married Francis "Fritz" Briel June 18, 1955, at St. Columba Church. She is survived by her husband, Fritz Briel; two sons, Scott (Barbara) of Downers Grove and Craig (Barb) of Lisle; four grandchildren, Matthew and Mark Briel of Downers Grove and Angela and Jessie Briel of Lisle; and one sister, Ann Cole of South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Carol Mahon; and a brother, Robert Fancher. Pallbearers will be Mark, Matt, Angie and Jessie Briel, Paul Mahon and Robert Fancher. Memorials may be directed to the family.