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Obituaries for Jan. 13, 2022

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RICHARD LEE ANDORF

Richard Lee Andorf, 75, of Brookfield.

Beloved husband of Diane Andorf (nee Markus); fond father of Brigetta (Ronald) Harper; dear grandfather of Kailee and Tyler; brother of Diane (Thomas) Parsons, and Wendy (Byron) Blum; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Services and interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 W. 31st St., Brookfield. 

ArielJAMES M. ARIEL

James M. Ariel, 70, 60-year resident of Chicago’a McKinley Park community, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day.

Beloved husband of Bonita (née Atilano); loving and cherished father of Vanessa (Dan) Medlin and Natalie (Nate) Wolfe; proud Poppa of Issac Daniel and Isabel Marie; son of the late Robert Ariel and late Pauline Ariel; dear brother of Karen (Michael) Pritts and Linda (Richard) Reese; loyal friend, uncle, nephew and cousin to many.

James retired in 2011 from the ATU Local 241 where he worked as a CTA bus Mechanic for over 30 years.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude Cancer Research Organization in Jim’s honor. 

BuralliRAYMOND BURALLI 

Raymond Buralli, 91, passed away December 15.

Loving father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation was held December 18 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites accorded. 

FabianELVIA BEATRICE FABIAN

Elvia Beatrice Fabian (nee Coronado), 63, passed away unexpectedly from complications of COVID-19 in Downers Grove, January 2.

Elvia was a dedicated wife to her husband Antonio for 43 years; loving mother to, Selina Fabian, Beatrice (nee Avalos) and the late Antonio J Jr.; caring and thoughtful grandmother to her grandchildren Emma Vargas and Bruce Avalos; sister of Jay Cantu, Sylvia Coronado the late Reynaldo Coronado, the late Lydia (nee Hernandez), and the late Linda (nee Weiner). Daughter of the late Julio and Rita R. Coronado. Elvia was also a warm and kind mother in law to Andrew Avalos.

Chapel service was held January 7 at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave. Burial and interment at Mt Auburn Cemetery. 4101 S. Oak Park Ave. in Stickney. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elvia B Fabian please visit our tribute store.

GalvanMARIA GALVAN

Maria Galvan (née Pacheco), 89, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away peacefully at home December 26.

She was the beloved wife of the late Alejo Galvan; loving mother of Salvador (Josie) Galvan, Abel Galvan, Yolanda (Steve) Disanto, Lourdes (Mike) Vatch, Concepcion “Connie” (John) Acevedo, Rosario “Rose” (John) Pagliari and Marcella Galvan; proud grandmother of Alejandro (Shonda) Galvan, Rick (Jennifer) Galvan, Dominic Galvan, Tony (Susie) Galvan, Jacqueline (Jeff) Kooper, Xavier (Erin) Galvan, Christine (Jason) Szymczak, Lisa (Patrick)McGuire, Stephen (Liz) Disanto, Mike (Julie) Vatch, Liz (Peter) Haberkorn, Sara (Tyler)Thurman, Nicholas (Carla) Kozlowicz, Alexandria (Grant) Winkel, John Pagliari and Jessica Pagliari.

Visitation was January 3 until time of prayers at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Procession to St. Joseph Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 

GustawDANUTA GUSTAW

Danuta Gustaw (nee Stachyra), 81, of Burbank, passed away January 2.

Beloved wife of the late Edward Gustaw; loving mother of Edward A. Gustaw Jr., Ann Marie Gustaw, late Christopher (Christine) Gustaw, and the late John Gustaw; devoted daughter of the late Antoni and late Helen Stachyra; dearest sister of the late Zdzislaw (Regina) Stachyra; aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held January 6 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held January 7 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Albert the Great for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 

HomkoROBERT W. HOMKO

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copySgt. Robert W. Homko, 73, of Willow Springs, passed away on Christmas Day.

He was an Army veteran of the Viet Nam War. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals. He was a member of National Guard for 20 years.

Beloved husband of Georgia (nee Korzeniewski); dear brother of Dorothy (late George) Tescher. Robert will be missed by his many brothers and sisters- in –law, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation was December 28 until time of celebration of life service at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Interment Resurrection Cemetery with Military Honors. 

IrvingCECILE F. IRVING

Cecile F. Irving (nee Wawrzyniak) passed away January 4.

Beloved mother of Larry (Laime), Victoria (Ronald) Obszarny and Raymond (Adriane) Irving; loving Nana of James, Rebecca, Alissa, Veronica, Ronald II and the late Matthew; great grandmother and great-great grandmother of many; dear sister of the late Raymond (late Rose) Wawrzyniak, late Phyllis (late Angelo) Fiaccato, and the late Nancy (Vince) DeSimone; fond aunt to many.

Longtime parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church. Cecile was the longtime lunch cook at Edward Everett STEM Elementary School.

Visitation was January 7 and a funeral was held January 8 at the Richard Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. in Chicago. Processing to Our Lady of the Snows Church for mass. Private interment at Lithuanian National Cemetery. 

KoehnkeLILLIAN E. KOEHNKE

Lillian E. Koehnke, 95, of Palos Park, formerly of Chicago, passed away January 7.

Beloved wife of the late Richard; loving mother of Alan (Victoria) Koehnke; cherished grandma of Richard A. and Constance Koehnke; dear sister of Helen (Edward) Kowalski, Dolores (The late Gene) Reiner and the late Bonnie Witkowski. Also many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral was held January 10 at Richard J. Modell Funeral Home & Creamation Services, 12641 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen. Visitation was held January 9. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 

KuffellANN KUFFELL

Ann Kuffell, 96, passed away on January 7, surrounded by her family.

Dear wife of the late Alex, and the late Howard Poznecki; loving mother of Sandra, Daniel (Laura) and Kenneth (Felicia); most wonderful and proud grandma to Brianne, Amanda and MaryAnn.

She was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, member of Vittum Park Civic League, OLS Seniors and former Woman of the Year. Longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Snows Parish and Member of the OLS CCW.

Funeral was January 13 at the Richard Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. in Chicago. Processing to Our Lady of the Snows Church for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation was January 12. 

LitwinskiEMILY LITWINSKI

Emily Litwinski (nee Majka), 95, of Lemont and formerly of Chicago’s Archer Heights community, passed away January 2.

Beloved wife of the late Roman Litwinski; loving mother of Christine (late Henryk) Szafron; dearest grandmother of Jessica (Tarkan Michael Sengullu) Szafron; devoted daughter of the late Maria (nee Pisarek) and late Franciszek Majka.

Visitation was held January 7 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral services followed. Entombment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum.

MeyerMILDRED M. MEYER

Mildred M. Meyer (nee Palenik), 89.

Beloved wife of the late Harold; cherished daughter of the late John (late Mary); loving mother of Susan (William) Waterstraat, Hal (Kathleen), and Mark (Ellen) Meyer; dearest Nana to Jonathan, Bradley, Andrew, Melissa (Elliot), Madeline, Matthew (Kristina), Katherine, Meredith, and Luke. Devoted sister of the late Rudolph (late Norma and late Elmyra) Palenik, the late Helen (late Stephen) Pijacek, the late Edward (late Antionette) Palenik, and Ruth (Joseph) Enderle; fond sister-in-law of Beverly (late James) Walsh; special Aunt (Mimi) of nieces and nephews; friend of many, but especially Helen Hruska.

Visitation followed by funeral was held January 12 at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dr. Martin Luther, 5344 S. Francisco, Chicago. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dr. Martin Luther appreciated.

Arrangement entrusted to Kosary Funeral Home.

MrkacekJEAN E. MRKACEK

Jean E. Mrkacek (nee Hofraiter),  81, of Willow Springs, passed away December 31.

Beloved wife of the late James R. Mrkacek; loving mother of Cheryl Geer, Nancy Mrkacek and Debra Mullen; dear grandmother of Christopher (Sherry) Geer, Matt Geer, Joshua (Ashley) Mullen and Douglas Mullen; dearest great-grandmother of Lauren Geer and Henry Mullen; devoted daughter of the late Emily (nee Gruntrad) and late Frank Hofraiter; dear sister of the late Ronald Hofraiter; fond sister-in-law of Jeanne Wood, late Lorraine Kopca and late Joseph Mrkacek; also nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Mrkacek was a member of the Willow Springs Lioness Club, Willow Springs Senior Club, LaGrange Garden Club, Pokeno Club and Past President of the Willow Springs School PTA.

Visitation was held January 5 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held January 6 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Patricia for Mass. Entombment Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park.

ONeillRUTH O’NEILL

Ruth O’Neill (née Morales), 87, Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away December 26.

Much loved and devoted mother of Alan O’Neill, Charisse O’Neill and Monica (Scott) Mrozek; cherished grandmother of 22 and great grandmother of 17. Ruth was preceded in death by her 13 brothers and sisters.

Visitation was held January 6 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Visitation was held at the funeral home January 8 until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish, St. Rene Goupil Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment atSt. Mary Cemetery.

STELLA RAUDYS

Stella Raudys (née Ramoska),  96, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away January 1.

Loving wife of the late Joseph; dearest sister of the late Antoinette Heyder and the late John (late Magdalene) Ramoska; cherished aunt of Laura Ramoska and Gary Heyder; dear sister-in-law, aunt and great aunt of many.

Stella was a member of St. Daniel the Prophet Senior Group and also St. Agnes Senior Group.

Visitation was held January 6 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit, until time of celebration of life service. Procession from the funeral home to St. Casimir Cemetery where Stella was laid to rest next to her husband.

In lieu of flowers, please say a prayer for Stella. 

RhyneALONZO RHYNES

Alonzo Rhynes, 72, of Summit, passed away unexpectedly at home December 27.

He was the loving father of Ann Marie Burnett; devoted and proud grandfather of Timothy McFerrin, Cassius Burnett, Alexus McFerrin, Bishop McFerrin, London McFerrin and Tashaina Burnett; dear brother of Jannie Rhynes. Alonzo will be missed by his many friends and neighbors.

A celebration of life in honor of Alonzo will be held at a later date. 

RojasFRANCISCO ROJAS

Francisco Rojas, 82, passed away December 31.

Loving husband of Ofelia (nee Lopez). Beloved father of Maria (Oscar) Martinez, Francisco (Aly) Rojas, Jose A. (Betty) Rojas, Ofelia Rojas, Carlos (Lupe) Rojas, Patty Rojas, Jose L. Rojas, and Nancy Rojas; cherished grandfather of Oscar Jr., Amy, Britany, Jeremy, Felix, Carlos Jr., Julian and Bella; great-grandfather of Alexander, Madeline and Alexia; dearest brother of the Late Julian (Late Carmen) Rojas, late Roberto (Ageda) Rojas, late Anita (Late Gollo Pegero) Rojas, late Luz Maria (Late Rodolfo) Hernandez and late Lupe Rojas; many nieces and nephews.

Retired longtime employee of Amtrak.

Funeral was January 8 from Wolniak Funeral Home to Mary Mother of Mercy Church for Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Visitation was held January 7.

SzeligaBRONISLAW SZELIGA

Bronislaw Szeliga, 86, passed away December 13.

Beloved husband of the late Maria (nee Truchan) Szeliga; loving father of Jan (Maria) Szeliga and Jozef Szeliga; dear grandfather of Krzysztof Szeliga and Piotr Szeliga; cherished son of the late Rozalia (nee Miskowiec) and the late Andrzej Szeliga. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was December 17 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 18, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton St., Willow Springs for Mass.

Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.

WilkSTEFAN WILK

Stefan Wilk, 80, passed away December 16.

Beloved husband of the late Zofia (nee Cieslik) Wilk; loving father of Yolanda (Michael) Sullivan and Adam Wilk; dearest grandfather of Michael, Kevin, Marissa and Bailey; dear uncle of Marta Wilk and Peter Wilk, also survived by cousins, relatives and friends.

Visitation was December 18 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 18, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton St., Willow Springs, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.

Local News

Brother Rice sophomore Tre Dowdell handles the ball against Leo on Friday. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Brother Rice’s 11-game win streak ends with loss to Leo

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Evergreen Park Community High School sophomore, Xarles (Chaz) Barnes, recently discovered a unique talent of being able to multiply any two numbers ranging from 1-100 simply in his head. (Supplied photo)

Evergreen Park High School student excels at multiplying

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Reavis bowlers claimed a regional title on Saturday. Photo by Reavis High School

Area Sports Roundup: Six area girls bowling teams headed to sectionals

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Marist's cheerleaders finished second in the state in the Large Team division on Saturday. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Marist cheerleaders takes 2nd in state

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Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, 5345 W. 99th St., Oak Lawn, hosted its annual Feed6 Meal Packaging event last month where students gathered together, while socially distanced, with their families, friends, teachers, and school staff members for a two-hour event, packaging fortified meals to be delivered to local food pantries.  (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School packs meals for needy during holidays

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Spread the loveBy Kelly White  Wishing everyone to have the best holiday season, Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School students packed meals for those in need before they went on Christmas break. The school, 5345 W. 99th St., Oak Lawn, hosted its annual Feed6 Meal Packaging event on December 4, where students gathered together, while socially distanced, with…

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park, featured the art of Stagg High School's most creative artists until January 28. (Photos by Kelly White)

McCord shows off Stagg student artworks

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No injuries when Metra train hits school bus in Orland Park

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Ugalde

Charge West Lawn man in 47th St. slaying

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Barnes

Charge 2 in Ford City carjacking

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Chicago Police Department

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Neighbors

Shriners entertain the crowd at last year's Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade. (File photo)

Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities

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Mary Pat Carr

District 230 names Director of Safety and Security 

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The Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. (Supplied photos)

Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program

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Fire hoses line the parking lot outside of the UFC Gym last Thursday. (Supplied photos)

Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym

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Retiring Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar (at left) is congratulated by Mayor Jack Lind, who also presented him with a proclamation, at the June 18 Village Board meeting. (Photo by Dermot Connolly)

Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires

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Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops

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Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri. (Supplied photo)

Shepard’s yearbook wins national recognition

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Dean J. Faulk

Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder

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On June 8, Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. (Supplied photos)

Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer

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State Senator Mike Porfirio being recognized as the Senator of the Year by representatives of the Illinois VFW. (Supplied photo)

llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year

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