Juanita M. Castiglia 74 of Mendota Illinois passed away peacefully January 21, 2022 at OSF St. Paul Medical Center, Mendota surrounded by family.

Juanita was born on May 29, 1947 in Princeton, Illinois, to William and Dorothy (Wright) Bickett. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1966 and then went to cosmetology school in Sterling, Illinois. She married Kevin Sondgeroth from West Brooklyn in 1967 and enjoyed many good years with him until he passed away in 1984. She was fortunate to find love again and marry Michael Castiglia in 1990. They would have celebrated 32 wonderful years together at the end of this month.

Juanita was a hairdresser for many years, first in Compton and then Mendota. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend. She loved hosting gatherings with family and friends, cooking delicious food and talking and laughing. She was very artistic. She made beautiful, unique jewelry, painted wonderful pieces of art and was a very skilled seamstress. She loved being in Florida at the beach and collecting shells and was very fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time there over the last 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Kevin Sondgeroth, her son Eric Sondgeroth, her sisters Kathy Fell and Maryann Bickett and her stepchildren Amy (Castiglia) McCormick and Doug Castiglia.

She is survived by her husband Mike Castiglia; daughter Stephanie (Sondgeroth) teDuits; stepson Tim Castiglia; sister Rita (Bickett) Findley; brothers David Bickett, Bill Bickett and Tony Bickett; daughter in-law Maria Sondgeroth; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Juanita requested a memorial service to be held in her honor as opposed to a traditional funeral service. We request all love ones to join us to remember and celebrate Juanita at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Judy Truckenbrod officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cops4Cancer or directed to donor's choice.