Gilbert A. Tonozzi

Gilbert A Tonozzi, 87, of Hennepin passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Liberty Village of Princeton in Princeton, IL.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Hennepin, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Fr. Michael Driscoll will officiate.  Burial will be in the Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Spring Valley, IL.

Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel will be assisting the family with the arrangements.

Gilbert (Gil) was born on July 21, 1938, in Spring Valley to Albert and Rose (Patel) Tonozzi. He married Ellen Diane Sartin on April 30, 1960, celebrating 65 years of marriage this year.

Gil graduated from Hall High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Illinois State University. He received his M.S. in Education Administration and English Literature at Illinois State University.   He was a teacher and principal of Putnam County Schools for 36 years.  

Mr. Tonozzi always was honored to live in the quaint little town of Hennepin for the last 50 plus years. He always said he could not ask for a better place to raise his family. Gil moved to Putnam County shortly after graduating with my master’s degree from ISU and just getting married to my lovely wife Diane. He started his career as the English teacher, PE teacher and All Sports Coach at Hennepin Attendance Center. He had great memories of his students back in the early 1960’s who had become his good friends. Throughout the years, he became principal at Hennepin Attendance Center/Hennepin Jr. High School and had the pleasure of watching so many of the young people grow up, especially his daughters. Once Putnam County Schools consolidated, he became the principal of Putnam County Jr. High School.

Gil was a member of St Patrick’s Catholic Church. He was a life member of National Education Association, Illinois Principal Association, Starved Rock Area Principal’s Association, and the National Association of elementary School Principals. He was also on the Hennepin Village Board and the Putnam County Board of Directors for many years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and going on vacation to Minnesota. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and his pets, especially Porkchop.

Survivors include his wife, Diane of Hennepin; two daughters, Sherri Tonozzi of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Dawn (Pat) Conerton of Magnolia, IL; one brother, Thomas (Mary Jane) Tonozzi of Spring Valley, IL; three grandchildren, Shawn Conerton of Nashville, TN, Matthew (Dominique) Conerton of Arlington Heights, IL and Elis Tonozzi of Lake Geneva, WI; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Rose Tonozzi; in-laws, Henry and Jimmie Lee, Sister-in-law, Ramona First; and Aunts and Uncles.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Putnam County Educational Foundation or local organizations of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com

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