Lorraine “Lora” (Bernardini) Lockhart, known to her friends as Lolly, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Friday, July 3, 2026 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa with Msgr. Mark Merdian, officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Lora was born August 10, 1930 to Giovanni and Caterina (Biolchini) Bernardini, Italian immigrants from Monzone, in Northern Italy. She was born and raised in Naplate, Illinois, in an Italian-American community. She carried her Italian heritage with pride throughout her life, cherishing the traditions, values, and strong sense of faith and family instilled in her from a young age. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Columba. Lolly attended George P. Hills School in Naplate and graduated from Ottawa Twsp High School. She took a job as a bookkeeper until her marriage. Lolly married G. Wm. “Bill” Lockhart on May 12, 1950. They were married for 60 years until his death on July 21, 2010. In 1953, They built their family home on the south side of Ottawa, where they raised their six children. Together they enjoyed traveling the U.S., but there was no place like home. They especially enjoyed family visitors at the house, sharing a traditional Italian spread that mom would always have readily available.
Lolly was a devoted wife and mother. Her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. Lolly loved to share her wonderful childhood memories, which her family will forever treasure. She loved nature and being outdoors, flowers, working in the yard, birdwatching and feeding the squirrels, passing her days with family visits, working crossword puzzles and Sudoku and journaling daily, so she could share interesting facts of history, her favorite poems, and words of wisdom. Being busy was her way; she never let her hands be idle. After her husband’s passing and as her grandchildren grew, she found time again to spend with lifelong friends and became a member of the Angel Squad at St. Mary’s parish. Lolly will be remembered for her patience, strength, and kindness. Her love was strong and comforting to all.
Those left to honor her memory are her children, Guy W. (Barb) Lockhart, Catherine M. (Darrell) Seigler, Barbara L. (Steve) Haage, twins Lorrie Ann (Brian) Serby and Billie Jean (Steve) Marsh, James D. (Mary) Lockhart; twelve grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as little Noni: Bill (Deanna) Lockhart, sons Will and Mathew; Jennifer Lockhart; Rob Piercy, twins Faith and Ethan; Kiley Piercy, daughter Zia; Justin (Caroline) Seigler, daughter Kendall; Ian (Laci) McConnaughay, sons Walker and Wells; Erin (Robert) Nilles, sons Cash, Axel, and Crew; Austin (Jenna) Serby; Stephan (Dara) Marsh, daughter, Lyla and son Kai; Andrew Marsh, daughter Lyra; Cassie (Glenn) Wendell, daughter
Katlyn and son Maverick; and Colton Lockhart; nephews and a niece: Mario and David Bernardini; John Levy, Lorraine Miller, and Tom Levy; and Steve and Dave Michaelson.
Lolly was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her siblings, Venansio (Jean) Bernardini, Mary (Ed) Levy, Theresa Michaelson, and teenage brother Primo Mario, as well as her niece, Cindy Michaelson, and nephew, Vince Bernardini.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the LaSalle County Nursing Home and OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospice for their loving care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Starved Rock Regional Center.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433.