In memory of Charles (Charlie) Mills and Geraldine Kleon

Hi, my name is Josette Balkam and I am fundraising to help with memorial expenses of my mother Geraldine Kleon and my brother Charles Mills. My family and I have been blindsided by the loss of both of them in a little over a week.

On March 22, 2024 I was shopping after work when my husband Bruce came up to me while I was checking out. I didn't understand why he was ushering me out of the store. It was because of a frantic phone call from my brother Charles, that I learned that my mother Geraldine, had stopped breathing. He had called 911 and an ambulance arrived. She had died. I stayed on the phone with my brother and waited for the police to arrive. After the police left my brother and I together called the funeral home. I then had to tell my sons Bruce Balkam Jr and Michael Balkam that their Grandma had died. I traveled to Chicago to be with my brother as we made the arrangements for my mother. We were both still in shock about the loss of our mother and were just trying to deal with things one day at a time.

On April 1, 2024, I was back home in Wisconsin when I received a message from the Chicago Police Department. I returned their call and learned of the most horrific thing imaginable My brother Charles was the victim of a hit and run accident in Chicago on Easter Sunday-March 31, 2024. I had just talked to my brother a couple of hours before the accident happened. As I write this today I still can't believe this has happened.

The loss of these two members of my family is beyond words.

My mother Geraldine was a retired employee of JP Morgan Chase Bank in Chicago,Illinois. I will always remember shopping with her in downtown Chicago, taking the bus to all the stores for the sales. She loved getting the paper for the coupons and the sudoku game. Geraldine watched all the crime shows on television and we often joked that she could recite them. She enjoyed her travels with her friend Goldie. My mother had given me some yarn some years back and with some yarn that belonged to my grandmother. I made myself a blanket. I will treasure it always.

My brother Charles was a long time employee of The Chicago Public School system working at Jones College Prep. He was an alumni of John F Kennedy High School. Charles had such a passion working with the theater group and working with disabled students. He was well loved and respected by the students and staff. Losing him has left them with a huge void, he is irreplaceable. Charles was a very humble man, always ready to help someone in need. I have many fond memories of my brother and the loss of him has been incredible. We enjoyed going to the Museum of Science and Industry, and many White Sox games.

It is at this time that I am creating this fundraiser to help cover the costs of the memorial services for my mother Geraldine Kleon and My brother Charles Mills. Money donated will be used for this purpose. Any amount is appreciated and if you are not able to contribute please take a moment to share. Thank you for taking the time to read this.