Obituaries November 17, 2022
ANNE BORIK
Anne Borik (nee Labno), 94, of Plainfield, formerly of Bridgeview Gardens, passed away peacefully November 4.
She was the beloved wife of the late Edward Borik; loving mother of Cynthia (Michael) Rago; dear grandmother of Jennifer (Robert) Mase, Michelle (Dominic) Gallaga and Anthony Rago; proud great grandmother of Vincent Mase, Nicholas Mase and Ava Gallaga.
A visitation in celebration of Anne was held November 12 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials to your favorite charity in honor of Anne would be greatly appreciated.
LAWRENCE T. CRITES SR.,
Lawrence T. Crites, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully at his home October 15.
He was a Marine Corps veteran.
He was born on July 5, 1939, to the late Clyde Crites and the late Malvina Allard Austgen.
Beloved husband and best friend for 63 years to Marilyn (nee Marasovich) Crites; loving father of Larry Jr (Ruthie) Crites, Jeff (Renee) Crites and Lisa (Jimmy) Sowder; loving grandpa (pa) of David (Rachel), Larry III, Nikki Graczyk and Riley Sowder; loving great-grandpa of Piper Booe and Savannah Montelpasse. Also loving step grandpa of many. Loving brother of the late Ernest Crites. Loving brother-in-law and friend to all that knew him.
Active member of the Marine Corp league, American Legion Post 991, former usher at St Rene Church, former leader for the St. Rene Boys Scout troop for many years. Semper Fi.
Visitation was held October 20 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 21. Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
STEPHANIE J. GERLACH
Stephanie J. Gerlach, 33, passed away October 10.
Beloved wife and best friend of Sam D. Covey Jr.; dear daughter of Denise (Ken) Frecke and the late Philip Somkovic; loving sister of Kristina Frecke and Erika Frecke; cherished daughter-in-law of Francine and the late Sam Covey Sr. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 16 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites have been accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
DOLORES M GRIGGS
Dolores M Griggs, 76, passed away October 25.
Will be forever missed by her beloved family and friends.
Visitation and chapel service were held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S. Archer Ave., Chicago. Final resting place Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
ELIZABETH “BETTY” HOGAN
Elizabeth “Betty” Hogan, 94, longtime resident of Burbank, passed away peacefully October 7, at Mother Theresa Home in Lemont.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hogan, as well as all their children, Thomas Hogan, Patricia Hanik, Cathy Clark-Haase, Terri Orsi, MaryJo King, and Michael Hogan; Betty was a caring mother-in-law to Mary Hogan, Andrew Hanik, Hal (Karen) King, and Diane Hogan-Parker; loving aunt to Susan (Vin) Rys and Peggy Biggs. Her greatest joys in life came from her roles as a grandmother and great-grandmother. A sincere thank you to lifelong family friend, Debbie Marek and the staff at Mother Theresa Home in Lemont, for the loving care and compassion they so graciously gave Betty.
A memorial mass, celebrating Betty’s life, was held on October 15 at St. Albert the Great Church, 8029 S. Central, Burbank. Cremation rites have been accorded. Arrangements entrusted to care of Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice.
JAMES “JIM” JUTZI
James “Jim” Jutzi, 65, passed away October 13.
Cherished son of Alfreda (nee Sokolski) and the late Norman Jutzi; loving brother of William (Mary Beth) Jutzi, the late Fred Jutzi and Shirley Despain; also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Beloved companion of his German Shephard, Rocco.
All services are private. Arrangements entrusted to care of Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice.
MALGORZATA KUCHARSKI
Malgorzata Kucharski (nee Zajac), of Worth, formerly of Chicago.
Devoted daughter of Maria (nee Smialek) and Kazimierz Zajac; loving sister of Pawel (Jolanta) Smialek, Tomasz (Agnieszka) Zajac and Lukasz Zajac; cherished aunt of Dominik, Karolina, Wojtek, Weronika and Jan Smialek, Michal, Kacper, Adrian and Jozef Zajac; wife of Andrzej Kucharski; dearly loved by many aunts, uncles, cousin and friends.
Visitation was held November 7 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral was held November 8 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Fabian for Mass. Interment Rabka, Poland. www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
BEATA MALOCHLEB
Beata Malochleb (nee Lis), 51, passed away October 14.
Beloved wife of Adam Malochleb; loving mother of Patryk (Justa) Malochleb, Dawid Malochleb, Hubert Malochleb and Malwina Malochleb; dear grandmother of Halina and Addalynn; cherished daughter of the late Halina (nee Nazaruk) and the late Janusz Lis; dearest sister of Monika (Grzegorz) Sypek. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 22 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites to be accorded with interment in Poland.
MARY P. MAYERHOFER
Mary P. Mayerhofer (nee Srsha), 92, passed away October 14.
Beloved wife of the late Willard Mayerhofer; loving mom of Julie (Edward) Padilla, the late Janice (Jeremy) Lane and the late Sharon Rice-Peck; dear grandma of April (Jeff) Lenz, Eric Lane, Nickolas Padilla and Timothy Padilla; dearest great-grandmother of Lukas and Alex; cherished daughter of the late Mary (nee Hoblaj) and the late Steven Srsha; fond sister of Helen (the late George) Wilson, the late John Srsha and the late Thomas (Norma) Srsha. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Rosary Hill Home, 9000 W. 81st Street, Justice, are much appreciated.
Visitation was held October 18 at Rosary Hill Home, 9000 W. 81st Street, Justice with Mass. Interment, Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside. Arrangements entrusted to care of Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice.
ADRIAN “SKIP” RUHNKE
Adrian “Skip” Ruhnke, 82, passed away October 16.
Beloved husband of the late Arlene (nee Pavelek) Ruhnke; loving dad of Jeff Ruhnke, Mark (Liz) Ruhnke and Al Ruhnke; cherished son of the late Stephanie (nee Mielnicki) and the late Leon Ruhnke; dear brother of the late Don (Sue) Ruhnke and the late Paulette (the late Frank) Pagano; fond uncle of Kim Neverouski, Laura Pavelek and Justin Ruhnke. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 23 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 24 at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
CYNTHIA ROSE SHUMSKY
Cynthia Rose Shumsky, 54, passed away on November 13.
She was the devoted daughter of the late George and Patricia nee Jedzinek Shumsky; loving sister of Patricia (Michael) McCann, Mary (Thomas) Walsh, George (Itzel) Shumsky, and the late Gregory (the late Mary) Shumsky; dearest aunt of Kathleen McCann, Mary Pat McCann, Alex (Samantha) Shumsky, Luke, Urlic and Priscilla Shumsky; cherished great-aunt of Riley June Shumsky.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial mass on Saturday, November 19, at 10 a.m. at St. Alexander Church,7025 W. 126th St. Palos Hills. Interment Private.
Arrangements entrusted to Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills.
For information or to express your condolences, visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410.
VALERIE B. SOUTHARD
Valerie B. Southard (nee Grant) passed away October 7.
Loving mother of Mark Busch, Scott Busch and Glenn Busch; dear grandmother of Caitlin McCaliano, Lauren Gatza and Connor Busch; dearest great-grandmother of Ellie McCalino, Lilly Gatza, Audrey Gatza and Charlotte Gatza. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 22 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites have been accorded.
VERNA ALICE VEGA
Verna Alice Vega (nee Wright), 100, passed away October 1.
Verna is survived by her three sons, Richard Lapinski (retired CPD), Stephen (Julian) Lapinski and Mark Lapinski (retired CFD), her daughters-in-law Rae Lapinski (retired CPD) and Kimberly Lapinski, and grandchildren Tanya, Katherine, Jack and Grant Lapinski.
Visitation was held October 23 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites have been accorded.
JOHN F. WEINBERGER JR.
John F. Weinberger Jr., 90, of Evergreen Park, passed away.
He was the devoted husband of the late Deloris “Dodee” nee Beranek; dear father of John F. III, and Karla Lee (Lynn Price) Vosburg; loving grandfather of David, and Jennifer (fiancé Anthony Gutierrez) Vosburg; fond brother of Richard Weinberger, and Elaine (Harold) Burns.
John was an Army veteran who served in the Korean War. John was also a past commander of American Legion Post 854 of Evergreen Park, and membership chairman for more than 20 years.
He worked at Ozinga Brothers for 35 years, was a member of the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Brookfield Zoo, and Lincoln Park Zoo. Starting member of Crown Space Center. Member of the Arthritis Foundation, and past president of McDonald Linn SC Kangaroo SC & Dank.
In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the Arthritis Foundation of Chicago.
Visitation will be Friday, November 18, from 3-8 p.m. at Kosary Funeral Home, 9837 S. Kedzie, Evergreen Park. Interment private at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
For information, call 708-499-3223 or visit www.kosaryfuneralhome.com.
EDWARD L. WILBUR
Edward L. Wilbur, 92, of Palos Heights, passed away.
Beloved husband of 67 years to the late Rosemary (nee Benson). Devoted father of Lauren (Jack) McGreehin, Michael (Jean) Wilbur (C.F.D.), Martin Wilbur, Karen (Steve) Curran, and Janet Strnad. Cherished grandfather of eight, great-grandfather of three. Loving brother of Carol Ann “Connie” Arenburg and the late Donald (the late Lorraine) Wilbur (retired C.F.D.). Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
He was a Navy veteran, and retired Chicago firefighter.
Ed and Rosemary split their time between the homes and neighbors they loved dearly in Palos Heights and on Paw Paw Lake in Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Manteno Veterans Home, 1 Veterans Drive, Manteno IL 60950 would be appreciated.
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 16, from 3-9 p.m. at Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th St., Crestwood. Funeral will be Thursday, November 17, at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home to Incarnation Catholic Church for an 11 a.m. Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.
Local News
Honored for service to business
Spread the loveFabis earns UBAM award By Dermot Connolly The United Business Association of Midway recently honored founding member Mary Fabis with a Lifetime Membership Award for Outstanding Service for her 35 years of work with the business organization she continues to serve as a board member. Fabis, now 92, has owned and operated Archer…
Fire and ice
Spread the love December was unseasonably dry and warm, but it was cold enough late in the month to form icicles on a Bedford Park Fire Department truck– even after it returned from a blaze that gutted a warehouse in the 6500 block of South Lavergne, just steps south of Clearing. The weather forecast for…
‘They made us look like fools’
Spread the loveParents furious over one-two stumble by CPS By Tim Hadac As Chicago Public Schools were set to re-open earlier this week, parents of CPS students were still fuming over what most seemed to see as a two-part stumble by district administrators. “We did exactly what they asked of us, and they made us…
Toasting 2022 with champagne and herring
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hello everyone. So, the holidays are over. How did you celebrate? I love Christmas because I get to see family, some of whom I haven’t laid eyes on since Christmas 2019. New Year’s is a much quieter celebration. I have…
Girls Basketball: Sandburg falls to LW Central in champ game of Holiday Tournament
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Two years ago, a group of promising freshmen were bumped up to the varsity at Sandburg, joining an already stellar sophomore in Erin O’Connell. The team went through some growing pains in 2019-20 but flirted with 20 wins, finishing 19-12. Then there were some pains of playing an abbreviated…
St. Rita takes 5th at Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent St. Rita’s youth was evident in some mistakes the Mustangs made down the stretch in the fifth-place game of the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic. But the Mustangs’ talent won out in the end. Sophomore guard Jaedin Reyna went coast-to-coast and scored on a drive to the basket with 2.5…
Lions take 2nd at Tosh Holiday Classic
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Glenbard West won the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. That made sense. The Hilltoppers are ranked No. 1 in most state and Chicago-area polls. But not much else about this tournament made a lot of sense, especially when it came some of the seven area teams involved or, in two…
Murphy joins Schofield on U.S. women’s hockey team
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Abbey Murphy lists Kendall Coyne Schofield as her sports role model. Now, she will be a teammate of Schofield on the biggest stage for women’s hockey. Team USA Hockey announced its Olympic roster over the weekend and two-time medal winner Schofield, a native of Palos Heights and a Sandburg…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
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…
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
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…
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
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 knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
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…
Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires
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…
Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops
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’s yearbook wins national recognition
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.…
Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder
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…
Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer
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…
llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year
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…
