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Obituaries March 31, 2022

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ChrobakSTANISLAW “STANLEY” CHROBAK 

Stanislaw “Stanley” Chrobak, 85, passed away March 3.

Beloved husband of Maria (nee Obrochta) Chrobak; loving father of the late Stella Chrobak, Teresa (William) Chrobak-Prince and Christopher Chrobak; dearest grandfather of Benjamin Chrobak-Prince, Julian Chrobak-Prince and Annika Chrobak-Prince; cherished son of the late Bronislawa (nee Gewont) and the late Andrzej Chrobak; dear brother of Janina (the late Edward) Tylka and the late Jacek (Maria) Chrobak. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Member of the Kolo #27 Witow of the Polish Highlanders Alliance.

Visitation was held March 7 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 8, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton Street, Willow Springs for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.

GarciaJAVIER GARCIA

Javier Garcia, 64, passed away March 16.

Will be forever missed by his beloved family and friends.

Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Funeral Mass was held at St Bede Church, Chicago. Final resting place Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.

ANTHONY F. GIANNINI

Anthony F. Giannini  DDS,  61, of Brookfield.

Partner in business and love of Cindy Jourdan; loving father of Emily (Sorin) Nemes, Melanie (Joe) Sperando and Natalie Giannini; grandfather of Nikki, Frankie and Gigi Sperando; son of Anthony Giannini and the late Diana Giannini, nee Murolo; brother of Gina (Norm) Camp; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held March 22 and March 23 at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield.  Funeral was held March 23 to St. Barbara Church, Brookfield for Mass. Interment Private. 

CASIMIR GRESIK

Casimir Gresik, of Palos Heights, passed away on March 23.

He was the beloved husband of Martha nee Bodnicki; loving father of Thomas (Barbara), Gerald and Alan Gresik; dearest grandfather of Andrew (Michelle) and Julia (Stephen) Roberts and great-grandfather of Natalie Gresik; dearest brother of the late Stanley, Catherine and Edward; dear uncle and friend to many.

Family and friends gathered March 29 for visitation at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills. A funeral service was held at Sacred Heart. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Palos Lions Club would be appreciated.

KrupaLOUISE KRUPA

Louise Krupa (nee Sieczka), 99, of Archer Heights passed away March 23.

Loving mother of Mary Krupa Tambornino, Mitchell Krupa, Harriet (Michael) Shally, Frank Krupa, Patricia (Donald) Borys; dearest grandmother of Susan (Gerald) Weber, Edward Tambornino, Scott Krupa, Cary Krupa, Colleen Krupa, Kelly (Esteban) Anaya, Eric (April) Borys, Sarah (Ryan) Gagne and Jennifer (Joseph) Bowers; dear great grandmother of Rebecca, Gerald, Madison, Carter, Leighton, Waverly, Estevon, Adrian, Leo, Dean, Vincent, Declan, Kayla and Hailey; preceded in death by her siblings; dear aunt and great aunt of many.

Louise was a member of Kolo Nr. 24 Szaflary.

Visitation Friday, April 1, 4-8 p.m. at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Saturday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. from the funeral home to the Church of SS. Cyril & Methodius, Lemont. Mass 9:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

KrzysiakBRONISLAWA KRZYSIAK

Bronislawa Krzysiak (nee Szczechowicz), 65, passed away March 4.

Beloved wife of 45 years of Jozef Krzysiak; loving mother of Grazyna (Stanislaw) Jasionek; dearest grandmother of Karolina (Antonio) Budziak, Magdalena Jasionek, Adam Jasionek and Stanislaw Jasionek; cherished daughter of the late Zofia (nee Zeglen) and the late Stanislaw Szczechowicz; dear sister of Stanislawa (Tadeusz) Szwajnos, Helena (Wladyslaw) Palka and Jozef (Wladyslawa) Szczechowicz. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held March 8 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 9, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Albert the Great Church, 8029 S. Central Avenue, Burbank for Mass. Interment, Cmentarz Parafialny, Ciche, Poland.

ESPERANZA MARTINEZ

Esperanza Martinez, 87, late of Orland Park, passed away March 22.

She was the wife of Guillermo Martinez; mother of Ernesto (America) Martinez Sr., Leticia Martinez, and the late Martha Elena Martinez; grandmother of Andrea, Ernesto Jr., and William Martinez; sister and aunt of many nieces and nephews in Mexico.

Memorial visitation was held on March 25 at Thornridge Funeral Home in Orland Park. Interment was private.

MayskelaWILLIAM J. MATYSKELA

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copyWilliam J. Matyskela, 84, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away March 18.

He was an Army veteran. He was retired from the Chicago Police Department.

Beloved husband of the late Joanne (nee Manno); loving father of William B. (Valerie) and Christina L. Matyskela; dearest grandfather of Mark Matyskela and Sarah (Josh) Robinson; cherished brother of Carol (late Jerome) Sepanski; fond uncle of Lynn (Jeffery) Frye and Marlene (Richard) Flanagan.

Memorial visitation was held March 27 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Celebration of Life Service followed. Condolences may be sent to William’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

VICTOR NAREA

Victor Narea, 89, passed away February 28.

Visitation was held March 6 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 7, prayers and procession from the funeral home to St Rene Goupil Church, 6340 S. New England Ave., Chicago, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.

OchoaJOSEFINA OCHOA

Josefina Ochoa, 73, passed away March 1.

Will be so greatly missed by beloved family and friends.

Visitation and celebration of her life were held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Funeral Mass was held at Immaculate Conception Church, Chicago. Final resting place St Casimir Catholic Cemetery, Chicago. 

PurtellTHOMAS “TOM” PURTELL SR.

Thomas “Tom” Purtell Sr., of Chicago, passed away March 2.

He was retired from the Chicago Police Department for 32 years.

Tom leaves behind the love of his life and best friend, wife of 61 years, Rosemary Purtell (nee Ariaz), his children, late Timothy Purtell, Thomas (Randi) Purtell, William (Late, Jeanne) Purtell, Christine (Joseph) Aguirre, and Brian (Jessica) Purtell; Tom also leaves behind his brother Martin Purtell and many nephews and nieces. Tom (papa) will be missed deeply by his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Please share a memory or two with of Tom with his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas’s honor to Chicago Police Memorial Fund would be appreciated.

Visitation was held March 6 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 6, service and time of remembrance were held at the funeral home. Cremation rites to be accorded.

ShimkusJANE P. SHIMKUS

Jane P. Shimkus, nee Frank, 86, a long-time Palos Heights resident, passed away March 25.

She was the loving mother of Laura Shimkus and Scott Shimkus; dear friend of Bill Poore. She was proceeded in death by her husband Carl S. Shimkus.

Jane was a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Palos Heights for many years.

An avid gardener and nature lover, Jane was a member of the Palos Heights Garden Club and supporter of Lake Katherine Nature Center. She was also actively involved with the Friends of the Palos Heights Public Library.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory to Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Dr., Palos Heights, or Palos Heights Public Library, 71st Avenue, Palos Heights, would be appreciated.

Memorial visitation will be Monday, April 11, from 2 p.m. until Time of Services at 5 p.m. at Kerry Funeral Home, 7020 W. 127th St. Palos Heights. Interment will be private.

VadopalasLYDIA VADOPALAS

Lydia Vadopalas, 83, passed away February 24.

Beloved wife of the late Joseph; loving mother of Peter (Allison) Vadopalas; loving grandmother of John and Matthew. Lydia is also survived by her many siblings, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Visitation was held March 7 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 7, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Bethania Cemetery. Interment, Bethania Cemetery, Justice.

VulistisJANET K. VULISTIS

Janet K. Barone Vulistis, 80, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Chicago, passed away March 17.

Beloved wife of the late Peter Vulistis; devoted daughter of the late Frank and late Catherine Barone; loving mother of Ann (Tom) Drew, John Vulistis and stepmother of the late Gus (late Kathleen) Vulistis; dear grandmother of Amber Drew, Emily Drew, Nicholas Drew, Alexandria Vulistis, Mikia Nielsen and Caitlin Vulistis and great grandmother of 6.

Visitation was held March 25 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit. Visitation at the funeral home March 26 until time of Celebration of Life Service. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Janet’s personal tribute website at: www.foranfuneralhome.com.

GEORGE S. WROBEL

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copyGeorge S. Wrobel, 71, of LaGrange Park.

He was an Army veteran.

Beloved ex-husband to the mother of his children Catherine Wrobel; loving father of Linda Wrobel, Kimberly (Roberto) Borias, Samantha Wrobel and Steven (Kathleen) Wrobel, fond grandfather of Jessica Irizarry, Jesse (Liliana) Naba, Alex Borias, Justin Naba and Lucas Wrobel; son of the late Gerhart Wrobel and the late Helena Wrobel (nee Jarmosek); brother of Sophie Barcy, Agnes Finnegan, Renee Wrobel and the late Zygmund Wrobel, Frank Wrobel, Richard Wrobel, Joseph Wrobel, Carol Wrobel and Helen Dillon; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held March 20 and March 21 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Funeral Service followed. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. 

ZaragozaLIGIA VIOLETA ZARAGOZA

Ligia Violeta Zaragoza, 91, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away March 6.

Beloved wife of the late Jesus Zaragoza; loving mother of Jesus (Yasmin) and Xavier (Ana); dear grandmother of Yasmin N., Janessa, Jesus D. and Maya; great grandmother of Gabriella, Alessandra and Emiliana; fond sister of Dunia Molina and aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, April 1, from 4-8 p.m. at Foran Funeral Home 7300 W Archer Ave. in Summit, with service beginning at 6:30pm.  Inurnment will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 11 a.m. at Fairview Memorial Park, 900 N. Wolf Road, Northlake. Condolences may be sent to Ligia’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

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