Obituaries March 10, 2022
THOMAS P. ANDRICOPOULOS
Thomas P. Andricopoulos, 74, passed away on February 26.
He was the beloved husband of Gitana; Loving father of Paul and Sofia; Beloved son of the late Paul and Catherine; Dearest brother of Cathe (Joe); Fond uncle of Christe and Anthony and numerous other nieces and nephews; Loved cousin and friend to many.
Thomas was retired from the Chicago Police Department with over 37 years of service.
Visitation was March 2 at Hills Funeral Home Ltd., 10201 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills. Funeral was March 3 at the funeral home. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove.
JUNE BEVAN
June A. Bevan (nee McFarland), 96, of Oak Lawn, passed away February 22.
She was the beloved wife of the late William Bevan; loving mother of James (Jan) Bevan, Carol (late Fred) Krozel, Linda Vidak, Gary (late Janis) Fletcher and Joyce (Michael) Anson; cherished grandmother of Scott Bevan, Michelle (James) Zettergren, Crissy (Jennifer) Fletcher, Amy Fletcher, Michael Fletcher, Haley and Allison Anson; great grandmother of Jake, Bella, Gavin, Fiona, Dylan, Quinn, Lydia, Addison, Michael and Alex; dear aunt to Daniel and Christy Walsh and Barbara Bevan and Tom Cantwell.
Visitation was held February 25 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit, with a Service in Celebration of June’s life following.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in June’s name to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA. 18901 or www.dementiasociety.org.
TERESA CARCAMO
Teresa Carcamo (nee Palomo), 84, passed away on February 7.
Beloved wife of the late Carlos Carcamo; loving mother of Jose M. (Maritza) Valencia and Maury (Rafael, Sr.) Valencia Grande; dear grandmother of Grace (Miguel) Orozco, Gabriela (Javier) Nuno, Samantha Valencia (Manny Rivera), Maria Valencia, Daniela Valencia, Rafael Grande and Maudy Grande; dearest great-grandmother of Gabriel Aguilar, Isabella Cambray Grande, Andrew Orozco, Reece Orozco, Alejandro Hernancez, Samuel Valencia and Carlitos Rivera; cherished daughter of the late Maria Antonia (nee Iraheta) and Victor Manuel Palomo. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held February 11 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 12. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
ELIZABETH A. CONNERS
Elizabeth A. “Bess” Conners (nee Ellitch), 85, longtime Chicago resident of Canaryville and Archer Heights communities, passed away peacefully February 19, with her loving family at her side.
She was the beloved wife of the late Harold J. Conners; loving mother of John (Kathy), Geoffrey, Desiree, Nicole and the late Mark Conners and late Steven Conners; dearest grandmother of Kyle Rendell and Cristen (Adrian)Bielat; great grandmother to Logan and Madelyn Bielat; dear sister of Frank Ellitch, Evelyne Mack, Matthew Ellitch, Herbert Ellitch, Lorraine Ellitch and Mary Giselle D’Alessandro; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Bess retired after working many years as a computer programmer at the University of Illinois Chicago Campus.
Visitation was held February 25 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Funeral procession from the funeral home to St. Richard Church for a Mass of Christian Burial on Feb. 26. Interment St. Mary Cemetery.
JORGE FROYLAN
Jorge Froylan, 42, passed away February 2.
Beloved husband of Olga Hurtado; loving father of Dulce, Jorge Jr. and Metzli; cherished son of Esteban Guadalupe and the late Agustina Froylan; dear brother of Emilio, Reynaldo, Maria Taylor, Emiliano, Misael, Esteband and the late Sofia Lopez. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held February 11 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 12 at Saint Blase Church, 6101 S. 75th Avenue, Summit, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
AGUSTIN GOMEZ
Agustin Gomez, 84, passed away January 29.
Will be forever missed by beloved family and friends.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Funeral Mass was held at Epiphany Roman Catholic Church, Chicago. Final resting place is St Mary’s Cemetery, Evergreen Park.
JOZEF JAN GRUSZKA
Jozef Jan Gruszka, 63, passed away February 7.
Beloved husband of Bronislawa (nee Bryja) Gruszka; loving father of Krzysztof (Barbara) Gruszka, Anita (Grzegorz) Macias, Adam (Marlena) Gruszka and Maggie (Mark) Brachmanski; treasured grandfather of Emilia, Natalie, Sebastian, Victoria, Daniel, Mia, Olivia, Averie and Eleanor; cherished son of the late Agnieszka (nee Pabin) and the late Antoni Gruszka; dear brother of Aniela (the late Henryk) Granietzny, Maria (the late Zygmunt) Stoklosa, Zofia (Przemyslaw) Kuczaj, Malgorzata (Jerzy) Zubel and Jan (Stanislawa) Gruszka. Also survived by nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held February 10 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 11 at Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
ROCHELLE L. HAKLIN
Rochelle L. Haklin, (nee Alles), 77, of Palos Hills, formerly of Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood, passed away on March 5.
She was the beloved wife of Michael F. Haklin; loving mother of Michael J. Haklin, Michelle (Bill) Ryan, Valerie (Charles) Kazmer, Deborah (Teal) Ruschmeyer, Geralyn Turner, Gwendolyn (Ron) Germanovich, Monica (Josh) Navarro, Nicholas Haklin and the late Jeffrey C. Haklin; dearest grandmother of Charlie (Brooke) Kazmer, Mary, Christopher, Gerard, Cecelia, Magda, Joseph, Elijah, Artemas, Cajetan, Florian Kazmer, Lily Villanueva, Mikayla and Hunter Turner, Gemma and Rhett Germanovich, Ivy Navarro; dear sister of Duane (Trish) Alles.
Visitation was Wednesday, March 9, at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral was Thursday, March 10, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home to St. James at Sag Bridge Mission for a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
HAROLD W. HAWLEY JR.
Harold W. Hawley Jr., of Palos Heights, passed away.
Beloved husband of Elenor Hawley (nee Turk); loving father of Tom (Tom Mantel), Vicki (John) Terlap and Christy; Cherished grandpa of Emily, Madeline and Jack; dear brother of Bob (Anne), Ken (Dorell); adored uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation and funeral services were held March 5 at the Church of the Transfiguration, 12219 S. 86th Avenue, Palos Park.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Southwest Symphony Orchestra would be appreciated.
Arrangements handed by Kerry Funeral Home.
JOSEPH GENE KAPLAN
Joseph Gene Kaplan, 89, of Chicago’s Archer Heights community, passed away February 18.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Ted Stempien Post 8821 VFW.
Loving father of Cynthia (Jeffrey) Windsor; dear grandfather of Eric (Amy) and Jeffrey Jr. (Nicole) Windsor; great grandfather of Blake, Carter, Jace and Tyler; devoted son of the late Marie (nee Lacny) and the late Joseph F. Kaplan; fond brother of the late Norbert P. Kaplan.
Visitation was held February 23 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd. 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Service was held Febrary 24 at the funeral home. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
JANICE A. KOCEK
Janice A. Kocek, 75, of Palos Heights, passed away on March 3.
She was the beloved mother of Jill (Tony) Aardsma, Dan Cosme, Mick (Beth) Cosme, Tim (Colleen) Cosme, and Scott Cosme. Dear companion of Steve Gibson. Loving Babi of Jake, Ruby, Lucas, Zach, Preston, Wyatt, and Nathan. Fond sister of George (Cathy) Kocek.
Visitation was March 8 at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood. Cremation private.
Because of Jan’s love for animals, donations to PAWS of Tinley Park would be appreciated.
DANUTA KUBALA
Danuta Kubala (nee Szczepaniak), 63, of Chicago’s Archer Heights Community, passed away February 20.
Beloved wife of Marek B. Kubala; loving mother of Katarzyna (Santos) Cruz and Wojciech (Kathleen) Kubala; dearest grandmother of Isla, Heidi and Ares Cruz; Benjamin and Isabella Kubala; devoted daughter of the late Ludwika (nee Zborek) and late Karol Szczepaniak; dear sister of Marian Szczepaniak and Beata Domagala; fond sister-in-law of Agnieszka (David) Rousby; also nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held February 24 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 5088 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Funeral was held February 25 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Bruno for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
BETTY H. LARKNER
Betty H. Larkner, 97, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away February 20 at home.
She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Larkner; loving mother of James (Rosemary) Larkner, Robert (Debbie) Larkner, Thomas (Donna) Larkner and Patricia (Lawrence) Schab; dearest grandmother of 12 and great grandmother of 5.
Visitation was held February 26 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Procession from the funeral home to Evergreen Cemetery where Betty was laid to rest next to her husband.
JOHN A. LEKAVICH
John A. Lekavich, 77, late of Palos Hills, passed away on February 28.
He was the brother of Bernadette Panovich, Antoinettte (Joe) Sibrava, and the late Ronald J. (Barbara) Lekavich. Uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.
He was president and owner of IntraAction Corp.
Visitation was held on March 6 at Thornridge Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass was held on March 7 at Sacred Heart Church.
Interment Good Shepherd Cemetery.
EARL THOMAS MARTIN
Earl Thomas Martin, 91, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away February 20.
He was Marine veteran of the Korean War.
He was the beloved husband for 66 years of Pauline Pusateri; loving father of Tom Martin, Kenneth P. (Rita L.) Martin and Sandy (Al) Aviles; proud grandfather of Daniel (Allyson) Martin, Alex Aviles and Andrew (Anna) Aviles; great grandfather of Gideon and Saffron Martin; dear brother of Joseph R. (Eileen) Martin, Evelyn (the late Douglas) Churchill and the late Betty (late Jim) Vezain; fond brother-in-law of Barbara Ann and Michael Monaco; uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held February 25 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Funeral was February 26 at St. Daniel the Prophet Church. Earl was buried at Resurrection Cemetery with military honors.
ANDREW J. PLUTA
Andrew Pluta, 54, of Winnetka, formerly of Hickory Hills, passed away February 24.
He was the beloved husband of Kelly Matthews Pluta; loving father of Atticus, Roan, Finn, and Beckett Pluta; dear son of Casimir and Theresa Pluta; fond brother of Paula (Vasken) Hajakian, Greg (Angelica) Pluta, Mark (Marta) Pluta, and Andrea (Jay) Tarble; dear brother-in-law of Kevin (Lisa) Matthews, Rob (Noreen) Matthews, Timm (Mashea) Matthews and Sean (Lisa) Matthews; and adored nephew, uncle, cousin and friend of many.
Andy was a graduate of St. Patricia grade school, Nazareth Academy High School, and University of Illinois, and earned an MBA from DePaul University.
Andy worked 30 years in commercial lending, most recently employed by Fifth Third Bank, and spent his time with his wife, children and helping his parents. Andy was an avid runner, having competed in the Chicago and Boston marathons.
Visitation was March 4 at Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie. Funeral Mass was March 5 at Divine Mercy Parish at Sacred Heart in Winnetka.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to El Niño Rey 1809 Walters Avenue, Northbrook IL 60062, or A Just Harvest, 7653 N. Paulina Street, Chicago IL 60626.
GREGORY D. REED
Gregory D. Reed, 58, of Blue Island, previously of Palos Heights, passed away on February 22.
He was the husband of Avilia; father of Genevieve, Austin, Bianca, and Alyssa; brother of Kathleen Cromley (Christoper) of Venice, Fla. Son of Dale Reed, South Haven, Mich., and Marlena Reed of Palos Heights.
Private family visitation and cremation arrangements were by Colonial Chapel in Orland Park.
EUGENE R. RUBEL
Eugene R “Gene” Rubel, 74, longtime resident of Summit, passed away February 15.
He was the loving father of Gina Rubel and proud grandfather of Gavin Akerman; beloved ex-husband of Grace Rubel; dear brother of Leonard Rubel and Sylvia (late Robert) Poplawsky. Gene will be missed by his many cousins, nieces, nephews and his many many friends.
Visitation was held February 23 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Funeral procession from the funeral home to St. Blasé Church for Mass. Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery Garden Mausoleum.
PAULINO VILLARREAL SR.
Paulino Villarreal Sr., 68, of Chicago’s Heart of Chicago community, passed away February 20.
He was the beloved husband of Judy Ann G. Villarreal; loving father of Paulino Jr. L.P.D. (Olimpia) Villarreal, Jose Franco Sr. (Gabriela) Villarreal and Lucia Villarreal (Oscar Serrano C.P.D.); proud grandfather of Jose Jr., Destiny C.P.D., Mireya, Julianna, Carlos, Lucia, and Paulino III; great grandfather of Abigail. He will be missed by his many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Loving son of the late Jose G. Villarreal Sr. and late Ramona Sanchez Villarreal; dear son-in-law of Lucy Gutierrez and the late Raymond Gutierrez Sr.
He was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus 17110.
Visitation was February 27 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Funeral Mass was at St. Procopius Church. Interment St. Mary Cemetery.
Local News
Evergreen Park High School student excels at multiplying
Spread the loveBy Kelly White An Evergreen Park Community High School student has been adding up his future. 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. Barnes said he does not memorize the answers, they just come to him…
Area Sports Roundup: Six area girls bowling teams headed to sectionals
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer Six area girls bowling teams are headed to sectionals. Reavis and Stagg won IHSA regional titles last Saturday, and four other teams have advanced to this weekend’s action. Reavis won its own regional at Palos Lanes in Palos Hills with a 5,378 in six games, well ahead of…
Marist cheerleaders takes 2nd in state
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff writer After Marist’s cheerleaders watched a video of their state finals performance on Feb. 5, there were some long faces and tears as the girls filed out of the video room and into the cooling-off room. After a long meeting, there were more long faces. “I’ve had better days,”…
Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School packs meals for needy during holidays
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 shows off Stagg student artworks
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Stagg High School art students proudly had their work showcased at a local gallery. McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park, featured the art of Stagg’s most creative until January 28. “Having my work as part of an art show in an art gallery like McCord is significant to…
No injuries when Metra train hits school bus in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong No children were injured Friday afternoon when their school bus stalled on railroad tracks in Orland Park and the bus was hit by a Metra commuter train. The Orland Fire Protection District responded to an emergency call Friday when a school bus from American School Bus Co. carrying students from…
Charge West Lawn man in 47th St. slaying
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac An 18-year West Lawn man has been charged with murder in connection with the June 11 slaying of a 20-year-old woman in the 4700 block of South Rockwell. Dilan E. Ugalde, of the 3600 block of West 62nd Place, was apprehended by members of the Chicago Police Department and the Great Lakes Regional…
Charge 2 in Ford City carjacking
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac A 19-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with a crime that occurred in a Ford City parking lot at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27. Travell Barnes, 19, of the 6800 block of South Hermitage, and the boy allegedly took a…
Police reports
Spread the loveMan shot to death in Chicago Lawn A 23-year-old man was shot in the back of the head and killed in a crime that occurred in the 6400 block of South St. Louis at about 1 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Officers responding to a “person down” call discovered the victim lying on the…
Building a bridge at Daley College
Spread the love‘After 22’ program to help adults with disabilities By Tim Hadac For Chicagoans with developmental disabilities, their 22nd birthday can feel like falling off a cliff. That’s when they become ineligible for the special education transition services they’ve received all their lives. That ineligibility can last for up to seven years, until they…
Neighbors
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…
Renovations begin on Shepard High School theater
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School, which prides itself in the fine arts, will soon have a beautifully reconstructed theater right on its Palos Heights campus. The Community High School District 218 Board of Education recently unanimously approved funding for the renovation of the Fine Arts Center at the high school at 13049…
Young Spiderman fan wishes students a great summer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Spiderman-kid bids farewell and wishes a beautiful summer break to students of Glen Oak Elementary in Hickory Hills. Since the summer of 2023, when he discovered the movie “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse,” a story about multiple Spidermen from different dimensions, 6-year-old Ribhi Gaber has been more than just a fan…
Worth finalizes rules for open burning in village
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle After several discussions over the past month, the Village of Worth has new guidelines for open burning by businesses and in residential areas. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night that a discrepancy in an ordinance regarding open burning had a 10 p.m. deadline. However,…
Orland Township event focuses on mental health
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Orland Township is taking the time to focus on mental health. Residents were invited out to join Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady for an event called, Minds Matter 2024, on May 16 at Orland Township, located at 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. “This was an excellent opportunity to…
Bridgeview shooting not related to Summer Smash
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha on Monday wanted to emphasize that a shooting in the village Saturday night had nothing to do with the Summer Smash music festival that took place over the weekend at SeatGeek Stadium. “It was an isolated incident,” he said. “Completely unrelated to the Summer Smash…
Summer jobs available for youths through Lyons Township
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The summer jobs program offered each year by the Township of Lyons is up and running. The program for high school and college students “is designed to give young individuals an opportunity for summer employment,” Trustee Donna McDonald said at the township board’s June 11 meeting. The jobs program started…
Proud mayor grandpa hands out candy bars at meeting
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch It’s a tradition for new fathers to hand out cigars after the birth of a child. The cigar’s wrappers are blue for a boy and pink for a girl. If they’re non-smokers, new dads have been known to hand out bubblegum shaped like cigars. Sometimes, proud grandfathers get into the…
Pair busted for Summit phone store robberies
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two Chicago men have been charged with robbing two phone stores in Summit earlier this year. Jacari Franklin and Austin White are charged with robbing the T-Mobile store at 5640 S. Harlem Ave. on March 28 and the AT&T store at Archer and Harlem avenues on April 18, police said.…
Car enthusiasts crowd annual Father’s Day show in Lyons.
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Held under sunny and warm skies Sunday, the annual Father’s Day Car Show in Lyons was deemed a smashing success by participants and visitors. Not only were car lovers able to admire the four-wheeled beauties, some owners spent quality time with Dad or a spouse. Don Raschka, 80, of Central…