Funeral-Flowers.4 logo

Obituaries May 12, 2022

Spread the love

AndersonWILLIAM C. ANDERSON JR.

William C. Anderson Jr., age 67, of Countryside, passed away suddenly April 4.

Loving son of the late Bill and late Florence Anderson; cherished brother of Sherry (Bernie) Kooyenga, the late Wayne (Linda) Anderson and Pat (late Ken) Conger; dear uncle of Debbie (Ray) Anhalt, Cindy (Jason) Villalobos, Christopher (Annie) Anderson and David Anderson; great uncle of 5.

A Memorial Visitation was held at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer (55th street just west of Harlem) April 30 until time of Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Pastor David Bauer. In lieu of flowers memorials to White Sox Charities (https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/charities) or The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (https://www.bcrf.org/), in William’s name would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be sent to William’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

FraustoELISEO FRAUSTO

Eliseo Frausto, age 47, of Summit, passed away May 1.

He was the beloved husband of Rafela Moreno; loving father of David Frausto, Michelle Frausto and Joanna Frausto; dear brother of Gloria Frausto and Isaias, Anna Bello, Flor (Osvaldo) Galo, Zenaida Frausto, Artemio Frausto, Antonio Frausto, Alejandro Frausto, Fernando Frausto and Artemio Frausto; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held May 6 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 West Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held May 7 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Joseph Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Eliseo’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

GonzalezMARIA GUADALUPE GONZALEZ

Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez, age 80, of Chicago, Gage Park community, passed away peacefully April 29.

She was the beloved wife of Juventino Lopez; loving mother of Leticia Lopez (Cesar), Lidia (Martin) Olvera, Juan Lopez, Maria (Paul) Magnetti, Rocio (Cesar) Galindo, Salvador (Eva) Lopez, Carmen (Erlin) Reyes, Consuelo (Hilario) Lopez and Tino Lopez; cherished grandmother and great grandmother of many.

Visitation was held May 4 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 West Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held May 5 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Gall Church for a Mass of Chrisitan Burial. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Maria’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

SCOTT JAY

Scott Jay, age 69, of Brookfield, passed away April 29.

Beloved husband of Marianne Jay (nee Gospodarczyk); loving dad of Matthew (Audrey) Jay, Michael (Wanda) Jay and Tiffany (Ryan) Sitter; grandfather of Joaliz, Yaneliz, Yandiel, Theodore, Elliot, Savannah and Ryan Jr.; brother of the late Jacqueline Betancourt, Hubert (Gail) Jay III, and Barbara (Robert) Chakmakjian; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gathering was held May 10 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Private. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.

KojakJUSTIN JAN KOJAK

Justin Jan Kojak, age 72, of Plainfield, formerly of Chicago, Brighton Park community.

Beloved husband of Krystyna (nee Cygan); devoted son of the late Aniela (nee Murawska) and late Albin Kojak; dearest brother of Wojciech (Janina) Kojak, Lucy (Patrick) Orr and the late Zygmunt (Cecylia) Kojak; fond brother-in-law of Edward (Malgorzata) Cygan, and late Jozef Cygan; dear uncle and cousin of many.

Visitation was held May 6 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held May 7 from the funeral home to Our Lady, Mother of the Church Polish Mission for Mass. Interment St. Casimir Cemetery.  708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.

JOAN KAZUPSKI

Joan Repel (nee Kazupski), age 82, of Chicago, Clearing community, passed away peacefully April 25.

She was the beloved mother of Edward Jr. (Dorie) Kazupski, Jorene (Jeff) Fergle,William Kazuspki, Gerie Kazupski and Terry (Kathy) Kazupski; much loved grandmother of Joe (Tammy) Kazupski, Ed Kazupski III, Billy Kazupski , Katielynn (Gambino) Maza, T.J. Kazupski, Julia Kazupski and Claudia Kazupski; loving great grandmother of Cody, Chloe and Gaston. Proud Mama of her fur babies, Jack and Jill. Joan worked for over 20 years as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery at Holy Cross Hospital.

Joan will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery. All services are private. Condolences may be sent to Joan’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

LechnerLUANNE E. LECHNER

Luanne E. Lechner (nee Miklos), age 86, of Chicago, passed away April 16.

Beloved wife of the late James M. Lechner; fond mother of James M. (Gwen) Lechner Jr., Michael (Wendy) Lechner, Kenneth (Jennifer) Lechner and Daniel (Sarah) Lechner; grandmother of Nicole, Laura, Christopher, Joseph, Jaclyn and Abigail; great grandmother of Brandon; sister of Ronald (Betty Lou) Miklos, Carol Lee Obis; aunt of many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Irena for the care given to Luanne and the late Jim.

Visitation was held April 21 and April 22 at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Funeral procession to St. Louise de Marillac Church, La Grange Park for Mass 10:00. Interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Justice. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: Alzheimer’s Association of Chicago 225 N. Michigan Ave. FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 W. Ogden Ave. Downers Grove, IL 60515. 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 the Luanne E. Lechner Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.

MaracichHELEN MARACICH

Helen Maracich (nee Miller), age 98, of LaGrange, formerly of North Riverside, passed away April 21.

Beloved wife of the late Nicholas J. Maracich; dear mother of Nancy Maracich and Judith (Peter) Hughes; Helen was preceded in death by all of her siblings and their spouses: Vlasta (Joseph) Nohava, Laddie (Floy) Miller, Mildred (George) Cermak and Jerry (Evelyn) Miller; aunt of many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation was held April 25 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd.  9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment private Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Please omit flowers memorials appreciated to your favorite charity. 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 Helen Maracich. We will gladly forward it on to the family.

MarinJAMES MARIN

James Marin, age 32, of Summit, passed away April 30.

He was the loving father of Nathaniel Jameson Marin and Savannah Marie Marin; dear son of Gloria Frausto and loving brother of Janet (Rafael) Mendez. James will be missed by his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation was held May 6 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held May 7 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Joseph Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to James’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

NievesSAMANTHA MARIE NIEVES

Samantha Marie Nieves, age 23, of Summit, taken from us unexpectedly April 30.

She was the cherished daughter of Victor Nieves and Liana Laboy (Derrick Phillips); much loved sister of Victor, Amanda, Joshua, Jeremy, Jacob, Mariah and Bella; adored granddaughter of Gladys and Victor Irizarry, Victor Sr. and Wanda Nieves and Isabel and Gilbert Mercado and George and Rosa Laboy. Samantha will be missed by her many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held May 5 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 West Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held May 6 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Argo Temple Church of God in Christ located at 7435 W. 64th Street, Summit, where Samantha was waked until time of Services. Interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Samantha’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ

Alexandra Rodriguez, 36, late of Orland Park, passed away on May 1.

She was the mom of Ayva, Thomas, and Jovan; daughter of Mario and Beatriz (née Tamayo) Rodriguez; sister of Beatriz Lappay, and Elizabeth Rodriguez; companion of Enrique Duenas; niece, aunt, cousin, and friend of many.

Alexandra was a R.N. with many years of dedicated service.

Visitation and funeral service were held on May 6 at Thornridge Funeral Home. Interment was private.

Arrangements entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service).

SteinleTHOMAS STEINLE

Thomas Charles Steinle, age 62, of Chicago, Clearing community, passed away April 23, after a prolonged battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Tom was a life-long member of the Carpenters Union, working on many of Chicago’s major skyscrapers and hospitals.

Tom is survived by his loving sister, Laura Steinle Kreft, his two brothers William Robert Steinle and Mark Steven Steinle. William is mentally challenged and resides at Good Shepherd Manor. William played a pivotal part in this journey, donating his own stem cells to prolong Tom’s life. Tom also had many loving family members including his niece Alison Kreft McKell and her son Sean, John Jordan Kreft and his wife Lander, Julia Steinle, Caroline Steinle, Nicholas Steinle, and Tessa Steinle. He will be sorely missed by all.

Visitation was held April 29 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held at the funeral home April 30 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish, St. Rene Goupil Church for Mass. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery Garden Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers donations to Good Shepherd Manor would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Thomas’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

Rev Wulsch MichaelREV. MICHAEL A. WULSCH

Rev. Michael A. Wulsch, former assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Ridge Parish in Chicago Ridge, passed away April 27, 2022. He was 76.

Fr. Wulsch was born on Sept. 30, 1945, in Chicago. He attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and De LaSalle Institute in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 10, 1972, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 13 of the same year at Queen of the Universe Parish in Chicago.

Fr. Wulsch began his service to the people of the archdiocese as an assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Ridge Parish in Chicago Ridge and as associate pastor at St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero. Later, he served as pastor at the following parishes: St. Veronica Parish on Whipple Street and St. Monica Parish on Foster Avenue, (where he served for 15 years) both in Chicago and St. Peter Parish in Skokie (where he served for 14 years). He retired in 2018.

Msgr. Patrick Pollard, retired archdiocesan priest, remembered the “incredibly engaging personality” of his classmate. “Mike was able to listen to people with patience, understanding, and a smile,” Pollard said. He added that Fr. Wulsch’s years at St. Monica and later at St. Peter Church were filled with challenges and joys. “Mike served for many years as dean, striving to help neighboring pastors shepherd their communities,” Pollard said.

Rev. Robert Tonelli, retired archdiocesan priest, had been friends with Fr. Wulsch since seminary. “He was a very generous soul, very accommodating, very gentle-minded. He always listened to people,” Tonelli said. “May 10 was a sacred day for us: He would always show up at our (ordination) anniversaries. He became pastor and people loved him.” Tonelli added: “I’m going to miss him.”

Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

BARBARA J. ZIELINSKI

Barbara J. Zielinski nee Cummings, 75, resident of Palos Hills, passed away suddenly on May 5.

She was the beloved wife of the late Thaddeus ” Ted” Zielinski; loving mother of Todd (Debbie), Tom (Mariette) Zielinski and the late Mary Ivanov. Cherished grandmother of Robin Zielinski, Candice (Ruben) Rodriguez, Amanda (Curtis) Kruder, Denise Walters, Nick Zielinski, Noah and Taylor Zielinski; proud great-grandmother of 6;, dear sister of Bill (Donna) and Jack (Diane) Cummings; dearest sister in- law of -late Kathleen Zielinski, kind aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was May 9 and funeral services were held May 10 from Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills, to Sacred Heart Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

 

Local News

Oak Lawn’s Davion Lawrence (right) led his team with 14 points in a 57-52 victory at Evergreen Park on Thursday. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Here’s the skinny: Trimmed-down Lawrence helps Oak Lawn top Evergreen

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Oak Lawn senior basketball player Davion Lawrence is 45 pounds lighter than he was last season, but insists his eating habits are the same. He has, however, changed up his training habits. Heading into football last fall, Lawrence and a few fellow seniors wanted to get in the…

Former Mother McAuley star Hannah Swiatek (right) smiles and walks off the court with Justene Charlesworth after a recent University of St. Francis victory over Cardinal Stritch. Photo by Jeff Vorva Former  Mother McAuley star Hannah Swiatek (right) smiles and walks off the court with Justene Charlesworth after a recent University of St. Francis victory over Cardinal Stritch. Photo by Jeff Vorva

College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis

Spread the love

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…

Argo’s Evan Shelton (30) and Will Adams battle Shepard’s Robinson Hale for the ball. Photo by Steve Metsch

Evans, Adams lead Argo past Shepard on Alumni Night

Spread the love

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.…

Mother McAuley’s Bella Finnegan launches a 3-point attempt over St. Laurence’s Lilliana Magana as Vikings coach George Shimko looks on in a game on Jan. 11. Finnegan scored her 1,000th career point in the game. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Stagg’s Laila Barakat and McAuley’s Bella Finnegan hit 1K career points; Richards’ Kortz gets 300th win

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Look what Laila Barakat started. The Stagg senior basketball star hit a milestone when she scored her 1,000th career point against Richards on Jan. 8. That was the first of three notable career accomplishments achieved the following week. It was followed by Mother McAuley senior Bella Finnegan scoring…

Rob Cruz

Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn

Spread the love

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…

Screen Shot 2022-01-16 at 9.42.00 PM

Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says

Spread the love

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…

Shepard's Damari Reed takes on Minooka's Jake Hinders en route to the first of his four victories and the 152-pound championship at the Illini Classic. Photo by Jason Maholy

Marist wrestlers take Illini Classic crown; Shepard’s Damari Reed stays unbeaten

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent When Peter Marinopoulos was a freshman, he served as the Marist wrestling team’s manager when the RedHawks would travel to tournaments. Two years later, he is finishing tournaments on top of the podium. Marinopolous, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A at 195 pounds by the Illinois…

Crime scene tape lies on the sidewalk in front of the Crossing Bar and Grill in Worth where two men were shot and killed early Monday morning. (Photos by Linda Bogard) 

Warrant issued for suspected shooter in Worth double homicide

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong  Worth police have an arrest warrant for a man suspected as the shooter in a double homicide January 10 at the Crossing Bar and Grill in Worth. Worth police are working with numerous law enforcement agencies to seek the man, who was not identified. Police said the suspect is not…

reporter oak lawn logo

Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime 

Spread the love

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,…

New Eagle Scout Adrian Ayala with his parents, Lorena Sanchez and Lazaro Ayala. --Supplied photo

Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank

Spread the love

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…

Neighbors

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

Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities

Spread the love

Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…

Mary Pat Carr

District 230 names Director of Safety and Security 

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…

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

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The 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. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…

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

Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…

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

Spread the love

Spread the loveStarted his 50-year career as Orland Park cadet By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar officially announced his retirement from a nearly 50-year career at the June 18 Village Board meeting. Mayor Jack Lind made the announcement “with great regret,” joking that “he doesn’t have the age to retire but he…

basketball stock

Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Allee Hernandez has accrued many years of basketball experience as a player and as an assistant coach. She will soon embark on a new experience as a head coach at Stagg, where she will be the Chargers first new head coach in 16 seasons. She succeeds Bill Turner, who…

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

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School students have worked tirelessly to create a yearbook for this academic year that was nationally recognized. The 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.…

Dean J. Faulk

Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam A 32-year-old Hickory Hills man has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 21 death of his 90-year-old grandfather. Dean J. Faulk was charged on June 22 with the June 21 murder of Dean L. Faulk. Police said they responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. June 21 at…

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

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Summer is nearly here and the Orland Park Public Library is ready for it. On June 8, the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. “There are multiple interpretations to this theme,” Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager at the Orland…

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

Spread the love

Spread the loveIllinois Veterans of Foreign Wars recently selected state Senator Mike Porfirio as the Senator of the Year. “I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois VFW,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I am committed to ensuring our veterans receive the protections, care and dignity they deserve. This recognition is a testament…