Obituary: Christina Marie Daniels

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Christina Marie Daniels

Age 72, of Joliet, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at home on Sunday evening, November 16, 2025. Born October 22, 1953, in Joliet, to the late Rita and James Kaminskas, Sr., and was raised in Rockdale. Christina attended grade school at St. Joseph’s until 1967, where she then attended and proudly graduated from Joliet West High School with the class of 1971. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College (1975) and received her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Conducting from Governor’s State University (1995).

Christina is survived by her beloved “Diz” of 46 years to husband, Jeff Daniels; loving mother (“the mommys”) of Laura, Tim, and Colleen Daniels; dear sister “Tina” to David (Karen Jo), Steven (Beverly), and James Jr. (Erica) Kaminskas. Christina is also survived by her darling aunt Maria Bodnar, several in-laws, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and her "baby girls" Gracie Mae and Amelia Rose.

Preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Joseph Kaminskas, Sr.

Christina was a devoted and proud educator, retiring in 2014 after over 30 years of teaching music and math in Joliet, Rockdale, and Romeoville. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, attending just about every function, game, and event for her children, wearing her bright yellow Joliet West Band Parent sweatshirt or her giant “proud mom” smile at volleyball games, dance performances, and band performances at Joliet West and Illinois State University.

Additionally, Christina was known for her ability to sing to the angels in numerous music and choral groups, such as Augustana Chorale, St. Raymond’s Cathedral Choir, Joliet Chamber Choir, Diocesan Chorale, and the New People, where she met the love of her life in 1976 and started dating in 1977. Christina’s love and passion for music transcended into the heavens, where she was able to sing until her last day.

Visitation for Christina Marie Daniels will be Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd) Joliet. Prayers will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor Ave, Joliet, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Christina's name can be made to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Choir.

For more information please, call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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