Karen Bales

Karen A. Bales 82, of Mendota, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Cremation rites have been accorded. Wasmer Funeral home is privileged to assist the family.

A memorial visitation will be from 11am until noon on August 14. A graveside service will then follow at Restland Cemetery. Deacon Michael Timmerman will officiate.

Karen was born December 28, 1942, in Mendota to Thomas P. And Kathryn (Briggs) Coffey. She graduated Mendota High School in 1966. During Karen’s work career she was with Motorola in Pontiac until they closed, worked in Produce for Don’s Supermarket, then moved back to Mendota. For a number of years, she was Building Supervisor and Maintenance for LaSalle County Housing Authority. Karen never truly retired. She gave back to her community volunteering at OSF St. Paul Medical center with the local auxiliary, and up until her passing, she volunteered at Nightengale’s. A lover of animals, especially cats, she tended to many. Karen was a straight shooter and told it like it was. If she liked you, she let you know. If she didn’t like you, she let you know. She wasn’t opposed to using a few expletives to make a point.

She will be greatly missed by her brother Pat (Susan Wallace) Coffey of Cameron Park, CA., son Jeff of Pontiac, nephews and nieces: Curt Coffey of Charlotte, NC., Dan (Patti Walters) Coffey of LaSalle, Tom (Kelli) Coffey of Park City, UT. Shawna (David) Coffey Klein of Washington, Jennifer Coffey of Ottawa, 4 great grandnieces and nephew, and her sister-in-law Pam Coffey of Peru. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Robert “Robbie” Bales on 1/29/25, and brother Michael Coffey. Memorials may be directed to Illinois Valley Animal Rescue-IVAR. Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.