Obituaries for Jan. 27, 2022
JUDITH CLAIRE BENNETT
Judith Claire Bennett “Judy”, age 76, of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away peacefully at home January 15.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Donald and late Claire Bennett; loving sister of Donald (Christine) Bennett, Ronald (Rita) Bennett and Gary (Brenda) Bennett; dear aunt of Michael, Gary, Carolyn and Kathleen.
Visitation was held January 19 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home was held January 20 until time of celebration of life service. Procession from the funeral home to Glen Oaks Cemetery where Judy was laid to rest next to her parents. Condolences may be sent to Judith’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
GABINO CARDENAS
Gabino Cardenas, age 67, of Chicago, McKinley Park community, passed away January 8.
He was the beloved father of Gabino Cardenas and loving grandfather of Erik Cardenas and Lynda Cardenas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabino and Juanita Gomez Cardenas. Dear brother of Salvador Cardenas, Columba Cardenas and Robert “Bob” Cardenas; much loved cousin of Maria Urena and Jose E. Urena; fond uncle of Saul Urena, Marco Urena, Elda Urena, Jose Urena and Rosalba Urena.
Visitation was held January 21 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 22 until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Holy Cross Church located at 1740 West 46th Street, Chicago. Condolences may be sent to Gabino’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
RONALD G. DUSEK
Ronald G. Dusek, age 64, of LaGrange Park, passed away suddenly January 15.
He was the loving husband of Janine (nee Pingatore); devoted father of Rachel; dear brother of Randy Dusek Sr., Robyn (Richard) Sparr and Alice Dusek; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Ronald will be dearly missed by his cousins and many friends.
Visitation was held January 20 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 21 at the funeral home until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet Church for Mass. Condolences may be sent to Ronald’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
GEORGE J. FENDOR
George J. Fendor, 88, longtime resident of Argo-Summit, lately of Palos Hills, passed away on January 19.
He was a proud graduate of St. Rita High School and University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. He began his pharmacy career in Argo-Summit.
Devoted son of the late George and Helen nee Randar; loving brother of Charles (Antoinia) Fedor, Elizabeth (Tim) Cromley and the late Joseph (Josephine) and Leo (the late Geraldine) Fedor; dear uncle many nieces and nephews; dearest friend to Paulette.
George loved Chicago sports and in his younger years travel.
Visitation was January 25 and funeral services were January 26 from the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills, to Sacred Heart Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
BETTY M. LABUDA
Betty M. Labuda, age 86, formerly of Chicago, Bridgeport community and settled in sunny Los Angeles, CA, passed January 3.
She was the loving daughter of the late Stephanie (nee Leftak) and late Raymond LaBuda; cherished sister of Margaret LaBuda, Kathleen (Lawrence) Dyjak and the late Raymond (Elaine) LaBuda; beloved friend of Eileen Kelly; dearest aunt of Eydie, Mike Boon, Steven LaBuda, Yvonne (Frank) Evans and Jennifer (Jeff) Lungren; loved by her great nieces and nephews Heather and Matthew Boon, Olivia, Lola, Ryan Evans, Reagan, Julia, Jack and Fiona Lungren.
Visitation was held January 19 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Mass at St. James at Sag Bridge. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
DIANE MARIE LAGA
Diane Marie Laga, age 72, of Chicago, passed away January 9.
Daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Majewski; beloved mother of Dawn (Michael) Kruczek and Melissa (Joseph) Kross; dear sister of Mary Lynn Manual; loving grandmother of Holly, Ashley, and Emily Kruczek. Diane is survived by her niece, Amanda Tomasek, nephew David Manual and her cousins, Jack (Joan) Steffek, Frank (Carolyn) Ondrey, Mary Ellen Woodward, Tom (Joann) Steffek, and Geralyn (Tom) Moran.
Visitation was held January 15 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish, St. Rene Goupil Church for Mass. Interment followed at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 7201 South Archer Road, Justice. Condolences may be sent to Diane’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
THERESA A. LONSKI
Theresa Alice Lonski (nee Sipiora), age 86, of Elk Grove Village, passed away January 17.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Anthony Richard “Rich” Lonski; her parents Andrew and Irene Sipiora (nee Burke); and brothers George, Thomas, Bernard, Jerome, Leonard and Joseph. Theresa is survived by her children Mary, Richard (Lisa), Anthony (Carol), Mark (Cynthia) Lonski and Kathleen (Brad) Hunt; grandchildren Andrew (Aimee), Angela, Justin (Cassidy), Matt (Megan), Ashley Lonski, Patrick (Amber) Middleton and William Middleton; great grandchildren Cassandra, Rozzi and Rowan Middleton and many dear sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 23 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 24 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Albert the Great Church for Mass. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations to Garden Center Services, 8333 South Austin, Burbank, IL. 60459 would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Theresa’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
ELVA D. MAHR
Elva D. Mahr “Evie” (nee Dvorak), age 84, of Burr Ridge, passed away January 8.
Beloved wife of Joseph P. Mahr; loving mother of Joseph (Cindy) Mahr and John (Kim Lero) Mahr; dearest grandmother of Kaitlin (Christopher) Williams, Heather Mahr, Jolie and Johnny Mahr; dear great grandmother of Joey and Violet; fond sister of Jean Wessel and the late Carol Broyles; sister-in-law of Arlene Kasenberg; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 15 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Services followed. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. 708- 839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
REV. JOHN W. PARKER
Rev. John W. Parker, pastor emeritus of All Saints – St. Anthony Parish, passed away Jan. 15. He was 77 years old.
Parker was born on May 19, 1944, in Chicago. He attended St. David Catholic School, De LaSalle in Chicago, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Parker was ordained to the priesthood on May 13, 1970, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrted his first solemn Mass on May 17 of the same year at St. David Catholic Church in Chicago.
Parker served the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Odilo Parish in Berwyn and as associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish on Addison Street in Chicago and St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park. Later, he became pastor at All Saints – St. Anthony Parish until 2014 when he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.
Rev. Ronald Mass, pastor emeritus of Incarnation Parish in Crestwood, remembered his classmate as a good priest. “He was very smart and had a great sense of humor,” said Mass. “He was a very dedicated priest, committed to his parishes.”
Visitation was Jan. 20 followed immediately by the funeral Mass. All funeral services were held at St. Gerald Parish in Oak Lawn.
Interment was at St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery.
MOHAMMAD ANWAR POTHIAWALA
Mohammad Anwar Pothiawala, age 77, passed away January 13.
Will be forever missed by beloved family and friends.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Richard’s Church, Chicago. Final resting place is Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
PEARL I. SIMON
Pearl I. Simon, nee Dornhecker, of Palos Heights, passed away on January 19 at the age of 98 years.
She was the beloved wife of Raymond Simon; loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was January 21 at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood. Interment St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery Crestwood.
SARA SZUMSKI
Sara Szumski (nee Secrest), age 73, passed away January 8.
Beloved wife and best friend of 47 years to Kenneth Szumski; devoted mother of David (Sydney) Szumski and Kate (Fred) Kauffmann; loving grandma of Owen Ainsley, Olivia and Freddie; dear sister of Judi (Tom) Sanford.
Visitation was held January 17 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held January 18 from the funeral home to the church of St. Fabian for Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
MARIA GUADALUPE TOVAR
Maria Guadalupe Tovar, age 85, of Summit, passed away at home January 18.
She was the beloved wife of the late Gerardo Tovar; loving mother of Jose Luis Tovar, Maria Teresa (Gustavo) Amador, Jacqueline (Jose) Munoz, Francisco Tovar, Adrian (Veronica) Tovar, the late Alfredo Tovar, the late Bernabe (Maura) Tovar and the late Rodrigo Tovar; cherished grandmother of Andres (fiancée Deena), Angelica (Simon), Christina, Omar, Sean, Bevin and Gerardo; great grandmother of Gianni, Matteo, Michaela, Brianna, Jasmine and Mila. Guadalupe will be missed by her many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation was held January 20 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held at the funeral home January 2 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Blasé Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Maria was laid to rest next to her son and husband at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Maria Guadalupe’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
JOAN C. ZALIG
Joan C. Zalig (nee Jesulaitis), age 86, of Brookfield, passed away January 12.
Beloved wife of William Zalig; fond mother of David Zalig, Tim (Aida) Zalig, Donna (Wendy McNamara) Zalig, Michelle (Jim) Nortier, Jennifer (companion James Miller) Dahms, Bridget (Richard) Mangan and the late Christopher Zalig; grandmother of Mark Zalig, Billy Zalig, James Nortier, Luke Nortier, Ricky Dahms, Jordan Dahms, Justin Dahms, Jillian Dahms, Cassidy Mangan, Brenna Mangan, Maggie Mangan and Kevin Mangan; sister of John (the late Eileen) Jesulaitis and the late Rita Jesulaitis; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 16 and January 17 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield IL. Funeral was held January 17 to St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park for Mass. Interment private Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Memorials appreciated to Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, 1400 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago, IL 60626. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.
If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Joan Zalig Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
Local News
College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Swiatek comes off the bench for the University of St. Francis and is averaging 3.1 points per game. But when called on for the biggest shot of her college career, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Oak Lawn delivered. Swiatek scored the winning basket in a wild 99-97…
Evans, Adams lead Argo past Shepard on Alumni Night
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Corrspondent Argo’s Davonte Evans and Will Adams both knew it was just a matter of time before the Argonauts would find a way to beat Shepard. That time came in the third quarter of a South Suburban Red matchup, when Argo outscored Shepard en rout to a 61-52 on Jan.…
Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Dermot Connolly There is a vacancy on the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board, after members voted 6-1 last week to remove Robert Cruz for allegedly violating his oath of office, school board policy and state statutes. Cruz, a property developer, was elected to the District 229 board in…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Hog Wild to open Monday in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Dining choices will get a boost in Oak Lawn with the arrival of Hog Wild. The restaurant is scheduled to open Monday, January 17, at 4040 W. 111th St. That’s a week later than originally scheduled. “We are very fortunate here in Oak Lawn to have attracted Hog Wild,” Oak…
Neighbors
Lions Club District 1A Helen Keller race draws big field
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The damp weather from overnight rain did not deter more than 100 people on Sunday morning from getting some exercise. The 14th annual District 1A Helen Keller 5k Fun Run/Walk proudly took place along at Harold L. Richard’s High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn. “This is a really great…
EPCHS students collect shoes for Christmas Without Cancer Sneaker Drive
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Students in Evergreen Park Community High School’s junior physical education leadership class teamed up with the non-profit organization Christmas Without Cancer to help local families battling the devastation of cancer. The class – taught by EPCHS physical education teacher Ree McDonald – helped gather donations for Christmas Without Cancer’s second…
Swallow Cliff Chapter, NSDAR, honors JROTC cadets
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Swallow Cliff Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, participated in recent JROTC awards ceremonies held at Shepard High School in Palos Heights and Richards High School in Oak Lawn. The DAR JROTC award, consisting of a medal and certificate, was presented to Navy Cadet Emily Schrode at Richards…
Man charged with child abduction in Stickney Township
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with child abduction and luring of a minor after Cook County Sheriff’s Police detectives found he attempted to lure a minor into his vehicle, said Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. According to police, about 4:43 p.m. on Monday, April 22, officers responded…
Worth Library celebrates 60th anniversary
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The Worth Public Library has been around for decades. Resting in the heart of the village at 6917 W. 111th St., the library held an event focusing on its rich background story on April 23 with a historical photo exhibit. “It’s amazing because this library is still so important to…
Rose Zubik, Woman’s Club veteran, installed as 3rd District president
Spread the love Rose Zubik, of Palos Heights, the new president of the 3rd District General Federation of Women’s Clubs-Illinois, lights a candle during the installation ceremony held April 27 at Fox’s Restaurant in Orland Park. Heather Linehan, the outgoing president, is beside her.By Dermot Connolly A longtime member of the Palos Heights Woman’s Club…
Shots fired in Chicago Ridge Commons parking lot
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Shots were fired Wednesday night in the parking lot at Chicago Ridge Commons mall. Police said they received reports of the shooting about 9:45 p.m. No injuries were reported. Multiple witnesses told police four men were walking through the parking lot from the XSport Fitness area. They approached two vehicles…
Hair salon with a ‘flair’ marks first year in Chicago Ridge
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Melissa Kowalski wanted to do something meaningful to mark the first-year anniversary of her Flair With Hair Salon in Chicago Ridge. “We did not have a grand opening last year so I wanted to do something really special,” Kowalski said. “We wanted to say thank you to our clients.” Kowalski,…
Palos East fifth-grader wins Scholastic Storyworks writing contest
Spread the loveGabriel Chowaniec, a fifth-grader at Palos East Elementary School, has been named a winner of the Scholastic Storyworks Magazine writing contest. Gabriel, who is a student in Cathy Casey’s fifth-grade classroom, was named one of only five winners nationally for the December 2023/January 2024 competition. Garbriel’s submission for the nonfiction story “The Shattered Land,” “showed a strong understanding of the text along with the ability to author a well-organized…
Shepard celebrates Autism Week
Spread the loveBy Kelly White World Autism Acceptance Week is organized by the National Autistic Society in the first week of April and aims to raise awareness about the challenges autistic people face across all areas of society. Not missing out the opportunity to celebrate all-inclusion was Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos…