Obituaries September 8, 2022
BRONISLAW CIEZCZAK
Bronislaw Ciezczak, 84, of Orland Park, formerly of Chicago’s Archer Heights area, passed away on August 29.
He was the beloved husband of the late Stanislawa (nee Zatloka) Ciezczak; loving father of Czeslaw (Zofia) Ciezczak, Aniela (Stanislaw) Szczechowicz, Andrzej (Dorota) Ciezczak, Wladzia (Andrzej) Lojek and Zofia (Jan) Bzdyk; dearest grandfather of Christopher (Samantha) Ciezczak, Christina (Bartek) Karpiel, Beata (Wieslaw) Zwijacz, Andrzej (Donna) Szczechowicz, Monika Szczechowicz, David, Peter and Caroline Ciezczak; Bernadette ( Erik) Gruchalski, Daniel (fiancé Colleen) Lojek, Barbara, Robert and Matthew Bzdyk; great grandfather of Hubert, Jakub, Izabella, Olivia, Veronica, Maximilian, Sophia, Julia, Stanley, Emilia and Anthony; devoted son of the late Aniela (nee Marusarz) and late Jan Ciezczak; dear brother of the late Henryk (Aniela), late Leopold (late Anna), Wladyslaw (Mary) Ciezczak, Mary (Louis) Konat and the late Joseph (Stella) Ciezczak; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was September 2 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was September 3 from the funeral home to Our Lady, Mother of the Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
MARK J. COCHRANE
Mark J. Cochrane, 56, passed away unexpectedly August 25 at home in Naperville.
He was the beloved son of Margaret and the late Richard Cochrane; dear brother of Brian Cochrane. Mark will be missed by his aunt and many cousins and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held at St. Daniel the Prophet Church on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m.
MARYANN CZUMA
Maryann Czuma (nee Bozek), 90, of Chicago’s Archer Heights community, passed away August 28.
She is the beloved wife of Edmund Czuma; loving mother of Barbara (Kenneth) Boyes, Pat (Russell) Charleston and Richard (Barbara) Czuma; dearest grandmother of David (Elizabeth) Charleston, late Kristen Ashlee Charleston, Richard Czuma, Michael (fiancé Sarah) Czuma and Christopher Boyes; devoted daughter of the late Stefania (nee Prydek) and late John Bozek; preceded in death by her siblings Sr. Viola Bozek, Genevieve (late Andrew) Jorasz, Helen (late Edward) Szymanski, Jessie (late Theofil) Paszkowski, Joseph, Stanley (Josephine), Edwin (late Eleanore), Casimir (Beverly) Bozek; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.
She was the former St. Bruno School Secretary for 30 years. Member of St. Bruno Choir, Mother’s Club, Rosary Sodality, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Seniors and Bingo.
Visitation was held September 1 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd. 5088 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago. Funeral was held September 2 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Bruno for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
JOHN L. FLAKUS
John L. Flakus, 76, passed away August 11.
Beloved husband of Carol (nee Bien) Flakus and the late Geraldine (nee Lewakowski) Flakus; loving father of Denise (Joseph) Alfery and Laura Volpe; step-father of Anthony Biernat, Karen Biernat, Christopher Biernat (Jessica Runge), Patricia Biernat and Jeffrey (Julie) Biernat; dear grandfather of Kyrstin and Chloe Alfery, Allie, Addison and Andi Runge, Mari and Vi Biernat and Hudson and Amelia Biernat; cherished son of the late Mary (nee Wojciechowski) and the late John Flakus; fond brother of the late Joan Christiansen and the late Jeannine Flakus; special cousin and nephew to many; step brother-in-law of Judy Bien and Paul Bien (Pamela Harding) and step-uncle of Alia Bien. Also survived by relatives and friends.
He was a member of the Hickory Hills Woodworking Club.
Memorial donations to the National Kidney Foundation are much appreciated.
Visitation was held August 16 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held at the funeral home. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
THADDEUS J. “TED” FORNEK
Thaddeus J. “Ted” Fornek, 99, passed away.
He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
Beloved husband of Jean (nee Buras); loving father of John (Geraldine) and Alice (Matthew) Luetger; dear grandfather of Michael, Brian (Kenzie), Jennifer (Jim) Tsai, David and Mark; dear brother Roy (Maryann), the late Claire (late Stanley) Wojtak, the late Alex, the late Edwin (late Lillian), the late Leonard (Geraldine) and the late Annamae (Ray) Zmuda; fond uncle of many.
He was a life member of the Central Park American Legion Post 1028.
Funeral service was held August 31 at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave., Chicago. Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity would be preferred.
JEANNETTE JURCZEWSKI
Jeannette Jurczewski passed away August 29.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Frank and Estelle Jurczewski; loving sister of Patricia (late Ted) Dubrowski; Jeannette will be remembered by her dear aunt and godmother, Irene Strock and her many cousins.
She was a longtime dedicated employee of Local 150 Midwest Operating Engineers.
Jeannette will be cremated. She will be buried with her parents at Resurrection Cemetery.
PETRA “TITA” MALDONADO
Petra “Tita” Maldonado, 82, peacefully passed away August 25 at home.
Tita was daughter to the late Jesus Macedo and Maria de Jesus Rodriguez-Macedo, wife of the late Gildardo Maldonado. Tita leaves to cherish her loving memory her children, Griselda (Ismael Garcia) and Pedro; granddaughters Kristina, Sofia, Viviana and Alejandra; siblings Celia (Florencio Eusebio), Jose Macedo and Paz (Leonel Medina) and a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends.
Funeral was held September 1 at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave., Chicago, to Our Lady of the Snows for mass. Entombment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
ANNA MOCHEREK
Anna Mocherek (nee Gogola), 72, passed away August 12.
Beloved wife of Jakub Mocherek; loving mother of Miroslaw Mocherek and Grazyna Dudas; cherished daughter of the late Malgorzata (nee Kaczmarczyk) and the late Andrzej Gogola. Also survived by many relatives and friends.
Funeral was held August 17. Family and friends gathered at Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview, for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Arrangements entrusted to care of Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice.
SHARON A. MONARI
Sharon A. Monari (nee Lewis), 70, passed away August 12.
He was an Army veteran.
Beloved wife of Joseph Monari; loving mother of Tina (Michelle) Monari, JoAnne (Tom) Coco, Michele (Jim) Paulsen and Mike (Michelle) Monari; dear grandmother of Jordan, JaVanna, Jeeno, Tyler, Cheyanne, Giovanni, Nico and Leilani; cherished daughter of the late Rosemary (nee Carter) and the late Basil Lewis; fond sister of Danny (Debbie) Lewis, Kathie (Johnny) Bentancourt, Mike (Rita) Lewis, Gene (Kay) Lewis and Terri (Mike) Edgell. Loved by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a member of the American Legion.
Visitation was held August 15 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites to be accorded.
GENOWEFA PAWLOWSKI
Genowefa Pawlowski (nee Cudek), 84, passed away after a brief battle with cancer August 17.
Beloved wife of the late Marian Pawlowski; loving mother of Margaret (Adam) Stoklosa and Jerzy (Iwona) Pawlowski; dear grandmother of Anya Stoklosa, Kalya Stoklosa and Michal Pawlowski; cherished daughter of the late Katarzyna (nee Kobylarczyk) and the late Wladyslaw Cudek; fond sister of Maria Swierczek, Janina Kazanowska and the late Marian Cudek. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held August 21 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 22 from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
SANDRA A. RIVARD
Sandra A. Rivard (nee Hlavaty), 69, of Chicago’s West Lawn community, passed away August 24.
She is the beloved wife of Ronald E. Rivard; devoted daughter of the late Penny (nee Kolecki) and the late Charles Hlavaty; loving sister of Charles (Diane) Hlavaty, Jim (Deb) Hlavaty, Cindy (Ken) Steele, Debbie (Bill) Knobbe and the late Lynne Kratovil; dear aunt of Kim Green, Joy McCoy, Noel Brinker, James Hlavaty, Ken Steele, Christy Knobbe and Samantha Knobbe.
Visitation was held August 31 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd. 5088 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago. Funeral was held September 1 at the funeral home. Interment Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park.
SAMUEL SANDOVAL
Samuel Sandoval, 89, passed away August 15.
Beloved husband of the late Delores (nee Olson) Sandoval; loving father of Denise (Mark) Adams, Laurie (Mahir) Affaneh and Sam Jr. (Isella) Sandoval; dear grandfather of Denise (Sergio), Amjed, David (Stephanie), Sam, Sara, Michael, Jacob, Addison, Max and Lee; dearest great-grandfather of Julian and Joshua; cherished son of the late Juana (nee Inocencio) and the late Juan Sandoval; fond brother of Elizabeth Torres. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held August 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites to be accorded.
GERALDINE A. SANTORO
Geraldine A. Santoro, 80, of Cape Coral, Florida, formerly of Orland Park, passed away September 1.
She was the wife of Philip R. Santoro Jr.; mother of Philip R. (Jennifer) Santoro III, and Lisa (Michael) Sneed; grandmother of six; sister of Judy (late Jack) Barry, Janet (Bret) Coyne, the late Carol (late Ron) Ecker, and John Wieczorek; sister-in-law of Phyllis James, Nancy (Howard) Chevlin, and the late Arlene (Jack) Riffice; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Gerry was formerly a Sister of St. Joseph nun for seven years, and an English teacher in Orland School District 135 for 22 years. She was also CCD teacher and extraordinary minister at St. Michael Church in Orland Park.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 12, at Thornridge Funeral Home, 14318 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.
A Funeral Mass will be held on September 13 at St. Michael Church.
Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the Alzheimer’s Association are appreciated.
CONSTANCE SANTOS
Constance Santos (nee Valencia), 100, passed away.
Beloved wife of the late Victor M. Santos; loving mother of Riano (Celeste) and Victoria (Nuno); dear grandmother of Victor, Jennifer, Paul, Natalie, Thomas and Manny; great grandmother of many.
Constance was honored for her community work by the Fil-Am TV Hall of Fame, received Chicago’s Outstanding Senior of the Year award, and was recognized by the Filipino Women’s Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in the United States.
Funeral was held August 30 from the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave., Chicago, to St. Richard Church for mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
Local News
‘Once in a lifetime’ funding coming
Spread the loveGov’t. invites biz owners, non-profits to apply From staff reports Local business owners and community-based non-profit leaders are invited to attend an online meeting designed to raise awareness of the American Rescue Plan Act and other economic recovery funding opportunities, and better understand what they need to do to be eligible for these opportunities. Dubbed…
Crime fighters will meet
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Residents of Police Beat 812 (Clearing, west of Central Avenue) are invited to attend their next CAPS meeting, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. The meeting will be held via Zoom in a webinar format. To obtain instructions and passcodes, call the Chicago Lawn (8th) District CAPS Office at…
Planned park in Palos Heights will have Olympic theme
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Misty Meadows subdivision in Palos Heights is getting a new park and it will be partially funded by a pair of famous local athletes. Plus, it will have an ice rink and an Olympic theme. NFL player Michael Schofield and his Olympic hockey gold- and silver-medal-winning wife, Kendall Coyne…
Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offers pet safety tips
Spread the loveParts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. Cold weather creates hazardous conditions for residents and their pets. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control reminds residents to take special precautions to keep…
Winter storm could bring heavy snowfall
Spread the loveParts of Cook County could see up to 12 inches of snow over the next day as a winter storm moves across the area starting tonight. The county’s Department of Transportation and Highways is monitoring conditions and has resources on standby to keep the 1,500 lane miles the county maintains, safe for drivers.…
Polk insists residents should use 9-1-1 when they need help
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva With snowstorms and bad weather hitting the area, first responders and 9-1-1 operators are taxed and stretched out. But Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk said that should not deter people from calling 9-1-1. He insists on it. At the Jan. 24 village council meeting, Polk made a passionate speech…
District 230 waits for judge’s decision on mask mandates
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Stagg and Sandburg students, parents and teachers are awaiting the decision of a Sangamon County judge to find out if there is any change in the mask mandate. District 230 was one of 145 districts in the state taken to court by parents who are against the mandate and believe…
Summit approves deal with CEDA for water assistance
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Help may be on the way for some Summit residents that have trouble paying their water bills. The Summit Village Board recently approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement by, and between the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County. It’s a vendor agreement for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance…
Willow Springs hires Grace as village administrator
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Citing his experience in Lyons, Willow Springs Mayor Melissa Neddermeyer said Ryan Grace was the best of five finalists interviewed for the job of village administrator. Grace, 38, had been public works director in Lyons the past four years, working on a wide range of village issues and events in…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn police target drivers who ignore stop signs
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Oak Lawn police are going to crack down on reckless drivers who repeatedly blow stop signs throughout the village. And police will begin enforcing those measures within the next two weeks. The subject was brought up during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting June 11. Village Manager Tom Phelan said…
Volunteers from Brother Rice, St. Rita and St. Laurence help indigent on their final journey
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Father Larry Sullivan, a director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor of Christ the King Parish, joined County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and spoke words of love, respect, and God at the 35th annual committal service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The service on June 6 at…
Riot Fest abandons Chicago park for SeatGeek Stadium
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Last year, Lyrical Lemonade moved its Summer Smash hip-hop music festival from Chicago’s Douglass Park to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium. Thousands of fans poured into the stadium at 7100 S. Harlem Ave. over the course of three days and, by most accounts, enjoyed the experience. Summer Smash returned to SeatGeek this…
Comings & Goings: Orland Park Summerfest returns this weekend
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Back for a second go round this weekend is the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce’s Summerfest. The event combines a carnival, live music, an array of dining options and a car show, at the 153rd Street Metra Station location in Orland Park and will run from Friday, June 14,…
Repair Cafe this Saturday at Township of Lyons HQ
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Repair cafes have become quite the thing for the Township of Lyons. So much so that another repair cafe will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, June 15, at the township office, 6404 Joliet Road in Countryside. A repair café held in May was a smashing…
‘They didn’t have to kill my brother’ – sister of slain Bridgeview man
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Arturo Cantu should be celebrating two big events this weekend. He would have celebrated his 40th birthday on June 14. And, a sister said, he would have enjoyed Father’s Day on Sunday, spending time with family and his two young children. Instead, 10 family members and friends gathered in a…
‘You just learn to live with the pain’
Spread the loveStatus hearing in July for McCook murder By Steve Metsch The attorney representing a Chicago man charged with murdering a Blue Island man in McCook in February told a judge Wednesday there’s been “a significant and outstanding discovery in this matter.” Attorney Damon Cheronis made his comment before Cook County Circuit Court Judge…
Man shot in La Grange; suspect arrested in Stickney
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch A man was shot Tuesday afternoon in La Grange, according to a news release received Wednesday from the police department. A suspect has been apprehended, the release said. The shooting victim remains in stable condition at a local hospital, the release said. La Grange Police, working with the Major Case…
Softball | Marist will play for state title for fourth straight season
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Marist returned to the state title game for the fourth straight season with a 7-1 victory over Mundelein in the semifinals, held June 7 at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Mustangs (36-2) were making their first appearance at state since 1996. “We have a core group of returners,”…