Gregory P. LaPlante, 83, of St. Anne died Feb. 11, 2025, at Miller Healthcare, Kankakee.Gregory P. LaPlante, 83, of St. Anne died Feb. 11, 2025, at Miller Healthcare, Kankakee.
He was born Feb. 19, 1941, in Oak Park, a son of Edward B. LaPlante and Rita C. O’Brien LaPlante. He married Beth McMullen Naff on Oct. 8, 1989, in Oglesby. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Michelle LaPlante of Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; one son, Ed (and Anne) of New Hampshire; two stepsons, Philip (and Trista) Naff of Ipava and Kyle Naff of Brooklyn, New York; one sister, Cathy (and Les) Maravetz of Westfield, N.J.; one brother, Justin (and Cathy) LaPlante of Valparaiso, Ind.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Richard LaPlante; one daughter, Katie LaPlante Evans; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn; two brothers, Bill LaPlante and Gene LaPlante; and one sister, Collette Maravetz.
He was a life-long learner and educator. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Niles; Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind.; and Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. Through the years he taught Latin, French and Work-Study programs. He was an assistant principal and superintendent in several school districts in Illinois: McHenry, Astoria, Marseilles, Rock Falls and Crescent City. He then joined the University of Illinois Extension as a network administrator for the NE Region of IL. When he retired from Extension he assumed the duties of executive director of Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, Manteno. During his tenure at Camp Shaw, he oversaw the summer youth camps; actively worked to beautify and enhance the camp grounds; and organized many rental groups. One of his proudest collaborations is the annual Shoe Fest: a weekend of camping and music.
He was an active member of the Bradley-Bourbonnais Rotary Club.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 22. Visitation from 1-3 p.m. service at 3 p.m., with a luncheon to follow, at Jensen Memorial Funeral Home in Kankakee.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Greg’s favorite place, Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, Manteno. (https://www.campshaw.org/)
Condolences may be sent to www.jensenmemorialchapel.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus