Obituaries December 15, 2022
DOROTHY BALCITIS
Dorothy Balcitis (nee Krug), age 94, passed away October 26.
Adored wife of the late Raymond L. Balcitis (Ret. Captain CPD); loving devoted mother to Rae (Richard) Lapinski (both Ret. CPD), the late Charles (Ret. CPD) (Sandra Bond), Sharon (Ret. CPD) and the late Jeffrey (Patricia) (both Ret. CPD); cherished grandmother to Bryan (Tabitha), Tanya, Jacqueline (Mike), Alyssa (Paul), Katherine, Marc (Kaydie) and Joshua; proud great-grandmother to ten; daughter to Pauline (nee Mahay) and Charles Krug.
Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish-Saint Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment, Saint Casimir Cemetery, Chicago. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JOHN A. BOGDANOWICZ
John A. Bogdanowicz, age 70, passed away October 27.
Loving father of Michelle Zimmerman (Pete Zach) and Christine Cimino (Robert Fitzgerald); dear grandfather of Nicolas Cimino, Taylor Daacon, Christopher Daacon, Analisa Cimino, Aden Wirsing and Ava Wirsing; dearest great-grandfather of Rylan Tinnon, Evelyn Daacon, Everlee Daacon, Mateo Cimino and Gabriella Cimino; cherished son of the late Janina (nee Chrusciel) and the late Mitchell Bogdanowicz; fond brother of Stanley Bogdanowicz and Grace Bernath. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held November 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held November 3, Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JOSEPH M. KRUPA
Joseph M. Krupa, 80, late of Orland Park, passed away December 5.
He was the husband of the late Theresa M. Krupa nee Kukosh; father of Anthony (Louwallien) Krupa and Lisa (Tim) Mittler; grandfather of Jamaica, Givenn, Samantha and Michael; brother of Stephen (Edith) Krupa; uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Joseph was a retired design engineer with many years of dedicated service.
Visitation was held on December 12 at Thornridge Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass was held on December 13 at Our Lady of the Woods Church. Interment St. Mary Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service).
LORETTA ROSE MISEVICH
Loretta Rose Misevich (nee Narel), age 94, of Chicago, passed away peacefully at home October 20.
Loretta was preceded in death by her daughter Carol, her parents Casmier and Anna, and her five siblings. She is survived by her children Kenneth (Mira) and Nancy (Mickey) Headley; her grandchildren Bill, Diana, Bob, Trina, and Joe; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held November 4 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
OMAR A. MORALES
Omar A. Morales passed away December 1.
He was the loving son of Velia and the late Arthur Morales; proud and loving father of Omar Julius Morales and Elise Morales (Araceli). Omar will be dearly missed by his many brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.
Visitation was held December 7 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held December 8 at the funeral home until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Simon Chapel of St. Gall for a Mass of Christian Burial. Omar will be laid to rest next to his father at St. Mary Cemetery.
VIRGINIA I. NIEMIERA
Virginia I. Niemiera (nee Waskievicz), age 96, passed away October 22.
Beloved wife of the late Raymond Niemiera; loving mother of David (Donna) Niemiera and the late Thomas (Sandy) Niemiera; beloved grandma of Kimberly Luckman, Karen (Edward) Lynch, Regina (Harry) Stratton and Cathy Niemiera; dear great grandma of Megan, Danny, Noah and Zach; cherished daughter of the late Josephine (nee Kania) and the late Alex Waskievicz; fond sister of the late Jean Lawkis, the late Harriet Blazowski and the late Helen Standard. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 27 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 28, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Patricia Church, 9040 S. 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JERRY PREDNY
Jerry Predny passed away December 3.
Beloved husband of the late Elaine Basner Predny; beloved father of Janet (Michael) Metrakos and Steven (Jenny) Predny; loving grandfather of Elizabeth Metrakos; dear brother of the late Mildred (late Walter) Kessler. Jerry will be lovingly missed by his caregiver Nancy Bronakowski.
Visitation was held Decembe 10 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th St. just west of Harlem). A Service in Celebration of Jerry’s life was held with Pastor Dennis Lauritsen officiating. Military Honors were accorded. Per his wishes, Jerry was cremated and will be buried with his wife at Bethania Cemetery at a later date.
ALEKSANDER RABIANSKI
Aleksander Rabianski, age 78, passed away October 26.
Beloved husband of the late Joanna (nee Byrdak) Rabianska; loving father of Beata (Jaroslaw) Magiera; dearest grandfather of Andy Magiera, Anthony (Anna) Magiera and Sebastian Magiera; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Findura) and the late Andrzej Rabianski; dear brother of Helena (the late Jan) Cudecka, the late Juliusz (Anna) Rabiansky and the late Jozef (the late Anna) Rabianski. Also survived by nieces and nephews in Poland and Slovakia and other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Sacred Heart Church, 8245 W. 111th St., Palos Hills for Mass. Interment, Good Shepherd Cemetery, Orland Park. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JOSEPH F. RAPSKY
Joseph F. Rapsky, 104, of Palos Park, former longtime resident of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away November 23.
He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor Mae (nee Lees); loving father of Joseph (Beverly) Rapsky, Eleanor, Kevin, Larry (Donna), Gary Rapsky, the late Bonnie (Alan) Anderson and the late Jessie (late Albert) McKolosky; dearest grandfather and great-grandfather of many; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was November 30 at St. Daniel the Prophet Church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum. Condolences may be sent to Joseph’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com
VIOLET RATKOVICH
Violet Ratkovich (nee Novacek), age 97, of Brookfield, passed away peacefully December 2, surrounded by her family.
Violet is survived by her daughter Pamela (Robert) Cherry, two grandchildren Allison (Justin) Cook, Brent (Lisa) Cherry, four great-grandchildren, Dawson Cherry, Madison Cherry, Kennedy Cherry and Mason Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband Peter and parents Emil and Emily Novacek.
Visitation was held December 11 and December 12 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card or Mass card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Violet Ratkovich Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
JOHNNY SKALA
Johnny Skala, age 57, of Brookfield, passed away December 4.
Proud, loving father of Andrea (Anthony) Harding and Allison (Theodore) Cook; beloved grandfather of Peyton, Sadie, and Gavin; dear son of Anna Skala (nee Podest), and the late Josef Skala; brother of Joseph (Francine) Skala and Michael (Angela) Skala; uncle of Christine (JT) McLanigan (nee Skala), and Joseph (Erin) Skala.
Visitation was held December 9 until time of service at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services., 9445 W. 31st Street Brookfield. Funeral followed. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: NADS (National Association for Down Syndrome) 1460 Renaissance Drive, Suite # 102 Park Ridge, IL 60068. 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 Johnny Skala Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
TADEUSZ SMORCZEWSKI
Tadeusz Smorczewski, age 72, passed away October 21.
Loving father of Iwona (Mariusz) Werniewski, Edyta (Jacek) Robak and Martyna (Radoslaw) Brzezinski; dearest grandfather of Norbert, Maya, Oliver and Nella; former spouse of Krystyna (nee Moczulska) Smorczewska; cherished son of the late Eugenia (nee Zalewska) and the late Czeslaw Smorczewski; dear brother of Krystyna (Mieczyslaw) Grzybowski. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 27 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 28, 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. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
DONALD “DON” R. STAGOWSKI
Donald “Don” R. Stagowski, age 85, passed away October 27.
Beloved husband of Celeste (nee Nowak) Stagowski; loving dad of Donna Bryan, Bryan (Magaret) Stagowski and Bruce (Kristina) Stagowski; dear grandpa of Jennifer, Jasen, Jessica, Jeremy, Justin, Joseph, Bryan, Jimmy, Matthew, Brad, Nikkole and Amanda; dearest great-grandpa of 12 and great-great-grandpa of 1. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held November 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
EDWARD H. TOMCZYK
Edward H. Tomczyk, age 68, passed away October 26.
Beloved husband of Maria (nee Komperda) Tomczyk; loving father of Mark (Melanie) Tomczyk and Monica (Marcin) Mietus; dear grandfather of David, Alexander, Nathaniel, Gabriella and Derek; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Wilk) and the late Wladyslaw Tomczyk; dear brother of Franciszek (Krystyna) Tomczyk, Tadeusz (Michalina) Tomczyk, Kazimierz Tomczyk and the late Janina Kwasna. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends both in Poland and USA.
Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Blase Church, 6101 S. 75th Avenue, Summit for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
ANGELA I. TREJO
Angela I. Trejo passed away peacefully December 7 with her children at her side.
She was the much-loved mother of Jose Castrejon Jr., Juana Castrejon, Olga Castrejon and Norma Castrejon; loving partner of Jose Castrejon Sr.; dear sister of Gloria (Abel) Hernandez, Fernando (Cecilia)Trejo and Sergio Trejo. Angela will be dearly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and friends.
Per her request, Angela will be cremated. Please share your memories and condolences with her children.
Local News
Boys Volleyball | Marist hands Glenbard West first loss of season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Marist was scary good in the first set. The RedHawks won it 25-12. Even by Marist standards, that’s pretty impressive. Complete dominance. What’s even more stunning is that it came against the second-ranked team in the nation. The RedHawks, who came into the match ranked sixth in the country…
Sophia Smith’s brace sinks Red Stars
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Home has not been that sweet lately for the Chicago Red Stars. The team lost its second straight game at SeatGeek Stadium with a 2-0 setback to Portland in front of an announced crowd of 4,443 on April 27. Portland star Sophia Smith scored in the 10th and 26th…
Nazareth Academy celebrates ‘special talent’ J.J. McCarthy in NFL Draft
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Dennis Moran has no doubts that J.J. McCarthy – the former Nazareth Academy quarterback who is now with the Minnesota Vikings – will succeed in the National Football League. Moran was among about 60 or so Nazareth Academy fans, friends and coaches who gathered Thursday night at The Stadium Club…
Brother Rice names Al Perez next soccer coach
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A few new coaches are dotting the area high school athletic scene. One of the more notable hires was Brother Rice bringing Al Perez aboard as the soccer coach. Perez led Chicago Public League power Washington to a Class 2A state championship in 2013, a fourth-place finish in 2015…
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Neighbors
Baseball | Marist claws way back to .500
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent This season has thus far not been what Marist had expected, but the RedHawks came into this week at .500. Marist was 2-8 after 10 games this season, with three of those first eight losses coming via shutout. But the RedHawks turned things around with a stretch of eight…
Red Stars fall to Spirit for third loss in past four matches
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent After enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history, the Chicago Red Stars have slid to the middle of the NWSL standings, with the latest setback being a 4-2 loss to Washington at SeatGeek Stadium. The Stars (3-3-1) entered this week having dropped three of their past four…
Red Stars take aim at NWSL attendance record with Wrigley game
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars are thinking big when it comes to their upcoming game at Wrigley Field. The team is taking aim at the NWSL record for single-game attendance when it hosts Bay FC at the historic home of the Chicago Cubs on June 8. The record is held…
IHSA announces boys volleyball postseason assignments
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Last year, the area sent a pair of boys volleyball teams to state as Lyons finished runner-up to champion Glenbard South and Brother Rice lost in the quarterfinals. This year, both could face each other in the sectional finals. The Lions picked up the second seed and the Crusaders…
Badminton players from Reavis and Lyons going to state
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Reavis singles player Dania Amjad finished third in the Bolingbrook Sectional on May 2 to qualify for the IHSA state tournament. The Lyons doubles team of Simone Brown and Mia Graziano finished fourth in the York Sectional to qualify for state. The state finals are May 10-11 at DeKalb…
Brother Rice, Sandburg sending boats to bash fishing state tourney
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Brother Rice is sending two boats to the IHSA state bass fishing tournament. The Crusaders had first- and third-place finishes at the Des Plaines River Big Basin Marina Sectional on May 2. Sandwiched in between the Brother Rice boats was a group from Sandburg in second place. The Crusaders’…
Lions Club District 1A Helen Keller race draws big field
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The damp weather from overnight rain did not deter more than 100 people on Sunday morning from getting some exercise. The 14th annual District 1A Helen Keller 5k Fun Run/Walk proudly took place along at Harold L. Richard’s High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn. “This is a really great…
EPCHS students collect shoes for Christmas Without Cancer Sneaker Drive
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Students in Evergreen Park Community High School’s junior physical education leadership class teamed up with the non-profit organization Christmas Without Cancer to help local families battling the devastation of cancer. The class – taught by EPCHS physical education teacher Ree McDonald – helped gather donations for Christmas Without Cancer’s second…
Swallow Cliff Chapter, NSDAR, honors JROTC cadets
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Swallow Cliff Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, participated in recent JROTC awards ceremonies held at Shepard High School in Palos Heights and Richards High School in Oak Lawn. The DAR JROTC award, consisting of a medal and certificate, was presented to Navy Cadet Emily Schrode at Richards…
Man charged with child abduction in Stickney Township
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Chicago man was charged last week with child abduction and luring of a minor after Cook County Sheriff’s Police detectives found he attempted to lure a minor into his vehicle, said Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. According to police, about 4:43 p.m. on Monday, April 22, officers responded…