Evelyn A. Coulter

Evelyn A. Coulter passed away quietly in her home in Peru, Illinois on January 6, 2025. She was born on August 21, 1932, to Vincent and Angeline Ratkiewicz in Chicago, Illinois. 

 While in Chicago she attended St. Helen’s Catholic school graduating the 8th grade. Her family moved to Peru following her graduation and she enrolled at St. Joseph’s Commercial where she graduated 2 years later. After graduation she worked at LaSalle State Bank. 

 Evie married James W. Coulter on June 5, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Church in Peru. Together they raised four children in Peru. 

 Evie was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by a sister Diane (Daryl)Tidaback of Paducah, Kentucky, her children Mary Jo Coulter of Bloomington, Illinois, David (Marlyne Zawin) Coulter of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Kristy (James) Campbell of Hudson, Illinois, and Lisa (Chris) Di Biase of Carbondale, Illinois. 

She is also survived by her grandchildren Megan (Jake) Perganson,Kyle (Kyle Kouri) Coulter, Jenna (Hash) Zahed, Taylor (Sydney) Coulter, Kathryn (Ben) Crum, Michael Campbell, Jakob Di Biase, Sophia Di Biase Her Great Grandchildren Lyla, Quinn, Abigail and James Perganson,Sam and Oliver Zahed, Jay and Sullivan Coulter, Hazel, and Leo Crum. 

 Evie was a fan of “everything" Chicago. She followed the Cubs and Bears religiously through thick and thin, attending the yearly Cub convention and going to the Bear’s summer camps in Platteville, Wisconsin. She attended the theater and was a member of the Art Institute and of course the various restaurants around the city. 

 Evie was also an avid reader, loved attending Stage 212 in LaSalle, cooking, baking, and crossword puzzles. She also volunteered at IVCH, the Peru Children’s Library, and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary. 

 Evie was also fond of traveling. She started to go to Europe with Frank Strell’s travel groups and on her own. Her last trip was in 2017 to Ireland. Her favorite destination was Paris, France. 

 Evie worked many different jobs throughout her career. She worked in the Peru City Clerk's office, secretary for the mayor, 

at the unemployment office for the state of Illinois, and the Peru public schools as a secretary at Roosevelt School. After she retired, she worked part time at IVCH. 

The Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Friday January 17, 2025, in the Ptak Funeral Home. Rev Gregory Jarzombek OSB will officiate. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Friday morning from 9:30 –11:00 AM in the funeral home. Cremation rites will follow the services. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. 

Memorials may be directed to Stage 212, Illinois Valley Food Pantry or Peru Public Library

 The family would like to give thanks to IHCC and their caregivers for making Evie final days comfortable, and all the people who stopped to visit on a daily basis. Also, a special thank you to her niece Kelly Mc Graw who would come to help when needed on a short notice. 

Online condolences and memories may be shared at PtakFH.com