Kathryn "Kit" Corley

Kathryn Susanne Corley, 7, of Chatham, passed away on April 28, 2025. Known to family and friends as “Kit Kat,” she made the most of her short time here – brightening the lives of everyone she encountered with her loving nature and unforgettable personality.

She was born on June 22, 2017, in Carbondale, Illinois, to parents Elizabeth (Reid) and John Corley. Shortly after Kit’s birth, her mother experienced a serious health complication –leading the extended family to step up and help support the newborn girl for six months while her mother recovered. Along the way, these caretakers forged a tremendous connection with the child that never waned. Her family later relocated to Chatham, with Kit attending Little Flower pre-school, Glenwood Elementary for kindergarten, and Chatham elementary for first and second grade.

An old soul known for her sincere empathy and kindness, Kit had a special gift for connecting with people of all ages. She was as comfortable chatting with her Grandma and other adults as she was talking with her cousins and friends at school – always listening attentively and often responding with a comment that spoke to a maturity beyond her young age. She was never afraid to spark up a conversation. In one instance, she thanked a veteran in uniform at a local coffee shop and offered to sing him a patriotic song for his service. Kit was the glue of her family, suggesting family movie nights, organizing fun activities for her little cousins, and putting the wants and needs of others before her own.

She was a dedicated helper who would step up for yard work and gardening, but Kit was also a goofball. She was known to request everyone’s attention so that she could perform a silly dance or show off her signature funny face. A devoted Taylor Swift fan, she would sing along to the music with joyful confidence. Simply put, Kit brightened the room wherever she went.

As we all try to process the tragedy that took her away far too soon, it’s worth emphasizing that Kit would want to acknowledge the pain of the other children, families, and first responders who have suffered as a result of this tragedy. May the compassion of this little girl light the way forward.

She was preceded in death by her father, John. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth (Carl Ostermeier); sisters, Fiona and Rose; step-siblings, Elijah and August; great-grandmother and namesake, Kathryn “Kit” Refine; grandparents, Jack and Susan Reid, Tom Corley, and Peggy Connors; “bonus” grandparents, Carl and Melanie Ostermeier; and a host of loving cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Church of the Little Flower, with Rev. Al Kemme, celebrant. Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home - Chatham, 8855 State Route 4, Chatham.