Memorial Fund Honors Kevin 'Kollins' Hedemark, Plans For Memorial Announced

JOLIET, IL — The Fred C. Dames Funeral Home in Joliet has announced memorial and funeral arrangements for Kevin "Kollins" Hedemark, the longtime Will County news radio personality who joined the Will County Sheriff's Office in March as their new public information officer. According to Dames, Kevin DeRoy Hedemark died unexpectedly on Nov. 3, "just days before his 58th birthday."

On Wednesday, Hedemark's former employer, WJOL 1340-AM, informed its listeners that he died following a massive heart attack.

According to Dames, Hedemark was born on Nov. 6, 1967, and he grew up on an acreage near Bronson, Iowa, and graduated from Lawton-Bronson High School. He went on to attend Morningside College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and began a lifelong journey in music, media, and community service.

A Memorial Gathering for Hedemark will be held from 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, until the time of the Memorial Service at 4 p.m.

A police department walk-through will start at 3:30 p.m.

As it was his request, cremation rites have been accorded. Services and inurnment at Memorial Park Cemetery will take place in the upcoming weeks in Sioux City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a GoFundme page has been established for his family to distribute to his favorite charities.

The GoFundMe is called "In Loving Memory of Kevin (Kollins) Hedemark."

The goal is now to raise $14,000 and as of early Thursday afternoon, 55 donations had collected more than $9,000.

"We all take for granted ordinary days, not realizing they are truly extraordinary until something changes. On Monday evening, November 3, 2025, our husband, dad, son, brother, friend, Kevin (Kollins) Hedemark passed away unexpectedly," the GoFundMe reads. "Kevin’s life was filled with music, service, love for his community, and his family, who were the heart of his world."