Catholic Holy Family Society (CHFS) was founded in 1914 and has been providing financially secure insurance products and annuities to Catholics and their families since 1915. CHFS currently offers products in 19 states, serving over 30,000 members. Our members have the security and confidence that comes with placing their welfare in the hands of their own Society. At the same time, they receive the benefits that come with membership in a fraternal organization.
A Brief History of Catholic Holy Family Society
Holy Family Society of the USA was founded in 1914 by a group of Slovenian immigrants who lived and worked in Joliet, Illinois. It received its charter to become a Catholic fraternal benefit society from the state of Illinois in 1915. The Society offered its members small life insurance policies, a sick benefit provision and a small operation benefit. In 1956, the Society received approval to add hospitalization insurance, medical-surgical insurance, and loss of income insurance.
In the years that followed, strong and wise leadership produced a long period of growth for the Society.
In the 1980s, the Society saw more growth when it started offering small face amount life insurance policies with limited or no underwriting requirements.
At the start of the new millennium, the Society began offering annuities to its members.
In 2008, Catholic Fraternal Life merged into Holy Family Society of the USA, which then changed its name to Catholic Holy Family Society.
With the merger, came the addition of a whole life insurance product used to guarantee the cost of funeral expenses. These policies are sold through licensed funeral directors and have become the largest income producer for the Society.
The Society’s 2012 convention changed the position of President to Chairman of the Board, and developed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position to be responsible for daily operations of the Society. Jaki Gardner was hired by the board to be the first CEO of the Society.
Board of Directors
- Jacqueline Gardner, Chief Executive Officer
- James A. Rial, Chairman of the Board
- Mary Lou Golf, First Vice President
- Jean Konrad, Treasurer
- Robert Kochevar, Recording Secretary
- Jackie Sobania-Robison, First District Director
- Claire Sanders, Second District Director
- Ann Marie Shannon, Third District Director
- Kathryn Konrad, Fourth District Director
- Norm Horstmann, Fifth District Director
- Rosemary Wesolik, Fifth District Director