Obituaries October 27, 2022
GEORGE CAUDILLO
George Caudillo passed away unexpectedly at home October 11.
He was the loving father of Nina Olivia Gary; cherished son of Gloria and Jesus Caudillo; much loved companion of Liisa Gary; dear brother of Raul E. Caudillo, Jesus C. Caudillo Jr. and the late Alonzo G. Caudillo. George will be missed by his many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Visitation was held October 18 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave (55th street just west of Harlem). Service in Celebration of George’s Life followed. Visitation was held October 19 until time of Service. Procession from the funeral home to St. Mary Cemetery where George was laid to rest.
MARY DELLA COOMER
Mary Della Coomer (nee Allen), age 92, passed away September 19.
Beloved wife of the late Paul Commer; loving mother of the late Paul (Darlene) Coomer and the late Richard (Carol Ann) Coomer; dear grandma of Jesse, Lilee, Jodi, Kim, Bill and Mike; dearest great-grandmother; cherished daughter of the late Mary (nee Allwood) and the late Alonzo Allen; dear sister of Bill (Karen) Allen, Arthur (Nancy) Allen, the late Rose Mary Friend, the late James Allen, the late Joseph Allen, the late Donald Allen and the late Catherine Allen. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Retired Deputy Clerk for the Village of Bedford Park.
Visitation was held September 25 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held September 26, Service and Time of Remembrance were held at the funeral home. Interment, Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery, Oak Lawn. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
MARY KAY DALY
Mary Kay Daly (nee Barr), age 73.
Beloved wife of the late Patrick; loving mother of Kelly (Tony), Jeff, Sammie, late Michael P. (Tracy) and the late Jimmy (Jessica Rapp); dear grandmother of Alex (Manny), Alyssa, Catie, James, Michael, Emily, Aubrey, Lexi, Kristian and Lily; great grandmother of Bella; dear sister of Patricia (Donald) Potempa, Kevin (Marcia) Barr, Shawn Barr, late Bonnie (late Jim) Clark, and the late Phyllis Barr; fond aunt of many.
Visitation was held October 21. Funeral Chapel Service October 22 at the Richard Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. (corner of Lorel). Interment Resurrection Cemetery. For more information, call (773)767-1840.
DAVID GREGORCHUK
David Gregorchuk, age 74, Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Valor recipient. Member of Sprinkler Fitters Local #281.
Beloved husband of Diane (nee Keller); loving stepfather of Quentin (Jennifer) Towner, Amanda (Adam) Donatelli and Charles Hurley; loving grandfather of C.J. Hurley, the late Christina Hurley, Adin Donatelli and Gemma Donatelli; devoted great grandfather of Grace, Carson and Ari Hurley; dearest uncle of Candy (James) Radomski.
Visitation was held October 16. Private interment at Resurrection Cemetery. For more information please call 773-767-1840.
PAULINE MOSTERD
Pauline Mosterd, 97, late of Orland Park, passed away on October 13.
She was the wife of the late Henry; mother of Ed (Linda) Mosterd and Ted (Barry Morgan); grandmother of Ed Mosterd, Jim (Lauren) Mosterd, and Jennifer (Rob) Malkusak; great-grandma of Henry and John; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on October 20 at Thornridge Funeral Home. A Funeral Service was held October 20 at Thornridge Funeral Home. Interment Green Garden Greenview Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service).
PATTY MURPHY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTIVIST
Patty Murphy, 51, a lifelong resident of Oak Lawn, passed on October 12 after recently being diagnosed with cancer.
Her friends all describe her as a person who always cared for others by going out of her way to help them when needs arose, and to give comfort and support to those who faced challenges.
Ms. Murphy was a Senior Vice President of Domestic and Sexual Violence at PCH, which is located in Hickory Hills.
PCH is the premiere agency providing family support in the southwest and western suburbs. She oversaw the agency’s successes in providing programs that advocated for survivors, educated the public and offered information to victims on how to get help.
She worked as Director of Sexual Violence Services before taking on the position of Senior Vice Presidents for PCH, a nonprofit provider of health and social services which includes medical and dental, mental and behavioral health. PCH celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
Ms. Murphy’s 27 years in the movement to educate and eradicate sexual and domestic violence has helped thousands of women, men, children, and families, her colleagues said.
Ms. Murphy took the initiative at work to designate a space in both the domestic and sexual violence buildings for self-care and healing and called it the “serenity room.” These rooms were meticulously decorated by Patty and had everything to make all those who came into it feel a sense of calm and peace. The intent was to give employees working in trauma a space to unwind and find tranquility.
Survivors coming in for counseling or events were also invited to enjoy the space. In addition to her work at Pillars Community Health she was a credentialed counselor and had a private practice educating individuals on substance misuse, stress reduction and healthy relationships.
Friends and associates said that Ms. Murphy was the light that beaconed for all that needed empathy, compassion, and healing. She guided all work projects with utmost care and attention to meet the goal of supporting survivors, preventing victimization and changing social norms. She embraced and welcomed the many races, religions, beliefs, sexual identities and sexual orientations of people from Chicago’s Southwest side and Southwest Suburbs. She was a model humanitarian and practiced cultural competence and cultural humility. She understood that every voice needed to be heard and understood.
Ms. Murphy was an amazing mother to her two children, Maggie and Jimmy, and beloved wife of Tim Boswell. She joins her mother, the late Susan Broderick, in heaven and is missed by her father Daniel Broderick, sister of Kelly (Tom) Houlihan, Kerry (late Chuck) Six, Erin (Mike) Mahoney, Susie (Jerry) Ashe, Shannon (Jay) Paske, Dan (Jenny) Broderick, and Mikey (Courtney) Broderick. She was a loving aunt to 19 nieces and nephews. She was a cherished friend, co-worker and role model to many.
Ms. Murphy loved life and took advantage of appreciating each and every day. The thing she loved the most was relaxing with her family at home in Oak Lawn in her beautiful spa-like backyard.
Funeral services for Patty Murphy were held at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Oak Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, donations to her children would be appreciated.
PAWEL NOWAK
Pawel Nowak, age 25, passed away September 13.
Cherished son of Wiktoria (nee Fafrowicz) and Stanislaw Nowak; beloved boyfriend and companion of Jesika Pietrzak; proud father-to-be; loving brother of Krzysztof (Agnieszka) Nowak; dearest uncle of Gabriela, Oliver and Alexander. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held September 21 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held September 21, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JOSE REYES, JR
Jose Reyes, Jr, age 42, passed away October 13.
He will be forever missed by his beloved family and friends.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home,4901 S Archer Ave, Chicago. Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Paul Catholic Church, Chicago. Final resting place is Resurrection Cemetery. To leave any tributes, please visit Funeral Home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
BEATRICE SALAZAR
Beatrice Salazar passed away October 16.
She was the cherished daughter of Venancio and Alicia Salazar; much loved companion of John J. Sauseda; beloved mother of Jennifer (Adam) Rodriguez, Melissa (Wilson) Lopez and Amanda Vazquez and dear step-mother to Joseph (Lilly) Sauseda, Jacquelyn (Luis) Vasquez, Eric Sauseda and Alex Sauseda; loving and proud grandmother of Benjamin, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Humberto, Jonathan, Jayden, Jayla,Wilson, Azaleh, Jamani, Alesandra, the late Alanese, Jiannina and Blanco; dear sister of Rosie (Robert) Leija and fond aunt to Leslie, Priscilla and Anthony.
Visitation was held October 20. Per her request, Beatrice will be cremated.
REV. FRANCIS G. SCANLAN
Rev. Francis G. Scanlan, former associate pastor of St. Damian Parish in Oak Forest, and a retired lieutenant colonel and Army chaplain of the Illinois National Guard, passed away Oct. 19. He was 87 years old.
Fr. Scanlan was born on Sept. 15, 1935, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
He was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1961, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 7 of the same year at St. Gregory Parish in Chicago.
Fr. Scanlan served the people of the archdiocese as assistant pastor at the following parishes:
St. Eugene Parish on Foster Avenue, St. Mel-Holy Ghost Parish on Washington Boulevard both in Chicago, and Incarnation Parish in Palos Heights. He also served as associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish on Addison Street and St. Bede the Venerable Parish on Kostner Avenue, both in Chicago. He retired as associate pastor at St. Damian Parish in 2005. Fr. Scanlan also served as a U.S. Army chaplain for the Illinois National Guard for nearly 30 years, from 1966 to 1995.
“I was blessed to know him, celebrate Mass with him and pray with him,” said Rev. Michael R. Olson, current associate pastor at St. Damian Parish. “He radiated joy and laughter wherever he went and told everyone he met ‘they were the nicest person.’ I have great respect for Fr. Jerry as he gave his life to the priesthood and served as a chaplain for the National Guard.”
Frieda Bertello, director of Healing Ministry at St. Damian Parish, knew Scanlan since he started at St. Damian. “He was able to relate to any age group, probably because of his wisdom and experience and his ability to be young in spirit,” Bertello said. “His homilies were brief, but always on point, and he usually squeezed in a humorous line or two. The parishioners loved it.”
Bertello added: “Fr. Jerry treated everyone with kindness and respect, and you usually left with a joke or a laugh. We expect there will be more laughter in heaven now that he’s home with the Lord.”
Rev. Daniel J. Brady, pastor emeritus at St. Cecilia Church in Mount Prospect, remembered his classmate as a very good priest. “He was very generous with his time and helped people the best way he could. He was a blessing to the Church and to our class. I loved him dearly,” Brady said.
Funeral services were held at St. Damian Church. Military honors were rendered before the funeral Mass.
MARGARET F. SETER
Margaret F. Seter (nee Lewandowski), age 81, passed away September 16.
Beloved wife of the late John Seter; cherished daughter of the late Marie (nee Lezyk) and the late Frank Lewandowski; loving sister of the late Lorraine Kozar, the late Eleanor Bogacz and the late Patricia Kulakowski; loving aunt of Karen, Paula, Daniel, Richard, Robert, Ronald, Rachelle, Bryan, the late Thomas, the late Wayne, the late Gwen and the late Francis. Also survived by great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held September 25 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held Septermber 26, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Faustina Kowalska Church, 5255 S. McVicker Ave., Chicago for Mass. Interment, Lithuanian National Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
LYDIA L. SLEPSKI
Lydia L. Slepski (nee Kayser), age 91, passed away peacefully September 21 at Lightways Hospice.
She is survived by her beloved daughters Pamela (Richard) Woltman and Patricia (George) Galounis; grandchildren Eric Woltman, Matthew (Becky) Woltman, and Sophia Galounis; and great-grand-daughter Gabriella Woltman; nieces Susan Slepski, Jeannie (Stephen) Taylor, and Kelly (Jeff) Anders, nephews Rick (Mary Lynn) Slepski, and William “Butch” (Jo Ellen) Kayser, numerous cousins, Godsons, and cherished friends. Preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Dorothy (Snyder) Kayser, brothers Fritz (Pat) Kayser, and Daniel (Mary) Kayser, in-laws Frank and Frances Slepski, brothers-in-law Florian Kurkul, Edward (Evelyn) Slepski, Alex (Elizabeth) Kurkul, Frank (Audrey) Slepski, and Leonard Slepski, niece Cheryl Slepski Brooks and nephew Steven P. Slepski. A special thank you to Jouliette I. Gomez and her family for their constant, loving care and attention over the years. We are also grateful to the staff at Lightways Hospice for the support and care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Lydia L. Slepski can be made to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet IL 60431. Visitation was held September 23 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral ws held September 24, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Daniel the Prophet Church, 5358 S. Nashville Ave., Chicago for Mass. Interment was private at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JOSE CARLOS VEGA
Jose Carlos Vega, age 54, of Chicago, McKinley Park community, passed away unexpectedly October 9. Proud retired US Army Staff Sgt.
He was the beloved son of Jose and Beatrice (nee Tellez) Vega; loving brother of Delia (Jesus) Lopez, Mario (Esther) Vega, Cecilia (Anthony) Garcia, Alicia (Sofia G. Sarabia) Vega and Beatrice (Dario Garcia) Vega and the late Armando (Rene Caboverde) Vega; loving companion to Kimberly Robinson; father of Keith (Jessica) Coughlin and proud grandfather of Jillian and Arthur; fond uncle of 18 nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews; dear godfather of Victoria Anne Bullen. Carlos will be missed by his many friends and coworkers and especially missed by his “Brothers in Arms,” Mark Bullen, Rogelio Ramierez, and Frank Gutierrez.
Visitation was held October 19 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. 55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home October 20 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Peter and St. Paul Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Carlos was laid to rest with Military Honors at St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a monetary donation to Chicago Veterans in remembrance of Jose Carlos would be greatly appreciated at https://chicagovets.org/
Condolences may be sent to Jose Carlos’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
MAUREEN “MOE” ANNE WAPPEL
Maureen “Moe” Anne Wappel (nee Baetzel), age 57, passed away September 15.
Beloved wife of Robert Wappel; loving mother of Melissa Madura (Joel Santillan), the late Rachel Lee and Robert (Andrea) Wappel; best grandma ever of Reanna, Martin Jr., Eliana, Grace and Helen; cherished daughter of the late Rose (nee Durchan) and the late Richard Baetzel; fond sister of Richard (Susan) Baetzel, Diane (the late Robert) Brown, the late Kenneth Baetzel, the late Ronald Baetzel and the late Michael (Kathy) Baetzel; fond sister-in-law of Lois (Jeff) Hranick, Jimmy Wappel and the late Tommy (Penny) Wappel; dear daughter-in-law of the late Dorothy and the late Louis Wappel; dear godmother of the late Dawn Gazda. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Toys for Tots, https://www.chicagolandtft.org/ are much appreciated. Visitation was held September 20 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held September 21, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Daniel the Prophet Church, 5358 S. Nashville Ave., Chicago for Mass. Interment, Saint Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
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