Obituaries April 13, 2023
JEANNETTE T. BARCZAK
Jeannette T. Barczak, age 70, of La Grange Park, passed away April 2.
Loving mother of Elizabeth Schmidt and Bill (Jeanine) Schmidt; grandmother of Olivia Schmidt and Mila Schmidt; sister of Annette (Jim) Coughlin, Mia (Michael) Klingele and Tony Barczak; aunt of Jackie (Chris) Rowe, Ryan Coughlin, Shannon (Jason) Plummer, Tony (Jill) Barczak, Kyle (Amy) Klingele, Maria Klingele and Nicole Barczak; great aunt of many.
Visitation was held April 5 and April 6 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Funeral Service was held April 6. Interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Justice. 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 Jeanette Barczak Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
ANNE B. HOPKINS
Anne B. Hopkins (nee Zajac) graced this earth for 101 years, resident of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community for 65 years, passed away peacefully at home March 23.
Beloved wife of the late Ambrose; loving mother of Carol (Michael) Smigielski, William (Margaret) Hopkins, the late Cynthia (Kenneth) Cachur, Mary Hejna, and Frances (William) Rouse; cherished grandmother of James (Martina) Smigielski, Cheryl (Brian) Scott, Rose (Nick) LaRocco, Matt (Maureen) Hopkins, Neil (Melissa) Cachur, Tara (Neal) Molnar, Kaitlyn (Michael) Hathaway, Madison Rouse, William Rouse, and Annie Rouse; loving great-grandmother to Michael and the late Michelle Barrett, Logan and Jack Smigielski, the late Theodore LaRocco, Ethan, Mason, and Cameron Cachur, Stanley and Calvin Molnar, and Aiden and Bentley Hathaway, and a loving aunt to many. Anne is a founding member of St. Jane DeChantel Parish (St. Faustina Kowalska) and the Brighton Park Polish Highlanders Club.
Family and friends met March 31, at St. Faustina Kowalska Church for a memorial visitation until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, we will request to donate to your charity in honor of Anne Hopkins or make a donation in her name to St. Faustina Kowalska Parish. Condolences may be sent to Anne’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
DICK “SWEDE” KLANG
Dick “Swede” Klang, age 86, of Brookfield. MP Veteran for the National Guard, Army Reserves and Army.
Beloved husband of Joy Klang (nee Nagl); fond brother of Carl (Edda) Klang and Linda-Lou (Bob) Rompala; brother in law of Danny (Jolene) Nagl, the late Terry R. (Marge) Nagl and Bobby Lee Nagl.
Visitation was held April 8 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Private Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, OakBrook Terrace. Memorials appreciated to the Brookfield Joshua Harris VFW Post 2868, 8844 Ogden Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513 or St. Barbara Food Pantry, 4008 Prairie Ave, Brookfield, IL 60513 or St. Croix Hospice, 665 W. North Ave. Suite 100, Lombard, IL, 60148. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com. For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please visit our website and you can leave the family a message. 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 Dick “Swede” Klang Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
DARLENE T. KOHN
Darlene T. Kohn, 60, of Worth, passed away on April 1.
She was the devoted daughter of the late James F. and Darlene M. Kohn nee Jahn; cherished mother of Amber (Divino) DeWitt; loving sister of Doreen O’Hare, Colleen (Jim) Sevik, James, John (Colleen), Cathleen (Bryan) Kean, Carleen (Jim) Skarzynski, Jeffrey (Danielle) and Daileen (Mark) Bucki; dearest aunt and great aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for memorial visitation on Saturday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. until time of memorial mass 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 8245 W. 111th St., Palos Hills.
Interment private.
For information or to express your condolences, please visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410.
JAN KRUCZAK
Jan Kruczak, age 81, passed away February 15.
Beloved husband of the late Maria Kruczak; loving father of Helena (Mieczyslaw) Rychtarczyk and Jan (Zofia) Karkoszka; dear grandfather of Marciej, Pawel, Mateusz, Wojciech, Barbara, Teresa and Renata; dearest great-grandfather of Jasiu, Franiu, Ania, Paulina, Kuba and Jan; cherished son of the late Maria (nee Parzatka) and the late Jozef Kruczak; fond brother of Tadeusz (Antonina) Kruczak, the late Wladyslaw (Zofia) Kruczak, the late Stanislaw (the late Teresa) Kruczak and the late Andrzej (Helena) Krzeptowski. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held February 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 20, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Albert the Great Church, 8029 S. Central Avenue, Burbank for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
LORELEI R. LAURAITIS
Lorelei R. Lauraitis (nee Walczak), of Palos Park, formerly of Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood, passed away April 5.
She was the beloved wife of John F. Lauraitis; devoted daughter of the late Irene (nee Wojcik) and late Steven Walczak; dearest sister-in-law of Barbara (George) Daugherty and Victoria (late David) DePeder; fond aunt of Greg (Beth), Randy, Jon (Angie), Nicholas, Kristin and Jody; dear great aunt of Nick (fianceé Danielle), Lauren (Carter), Alex, Nichole, Matthew, Daniel, Victoria and Mia.
Visitation was April 11 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral services were April 12 at the Church of Our Lady of the Woods. Entombment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum.
VICTOR C. LEFFELMAN
Victor C. Leffelman, age 81, of Willow Springs, passed away peacefully at home March 28 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Beloved husband of Carol (nee Korth); loving father of Christina (Brian) Farbelow, Renee (late Michael) Payne, Mark (Lesli) Wieczorek and Marissa Follett (Robert Bullock); dearest grandfather of Lindsey Smith, Lauren Franzen, Leanne Smith, Vaughn Payne, Cameron Wieczorek, Kendall Wieczorek, Tristan Wieczorek, Rylee Follett, Cody Follett and Lillian Bullock; cherished great grandfather of Scarlett and Olivia. Vic was the devoted son of the late Esther (nee Becker) and late Vincent V. Leffelman; dear brother of Mary Weaver and the late Vera, late Kate, late Rita, late Shirley and late Joyce; fond brother-in-law of Wayne Korth and late Warren Korth.
Memorial visitation was held April 5 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8899 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. (708) 839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
LOUIE ANGELO MARASOVIC
Louie Angelo Marasovic, past resident of Summit, passed away April 1.
Beloved son of Slavko and Beverly (nee Pesut) Marasovic; dearest brother of Natalie and Mary Marasovic; loving nephew of April Pesut; dear cousin to many. Cherished grandson of Louie and Sylvia Pesut and Mirko and Anja Marasovicl; loving nephew of the late Stanko Marasovic; cousin of Angela (Phillip) Tomas and Phillip, Luka and Lilliana.
Visitation was held April 8 until time of Prayers at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Procession from the funeral home to St. Joseph Church for a Mass in Celebration of Louie’s life. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
ANA MARIA MARTINEZ
Ana Maria Martinez, age 63, passed away March 30.
Survived by her husband Jose Luis; daughters Guadalupe (Vanessa, Kevin and Juan Carlos) Ana Gudelia (Jose Luis, Omar, Víctor Manuel Jr., Joey) Jacqueline (Edgar, Ashley, Josie) and Jessica; great grandchildren Antonio, Alexis, Sophia, Ares Manuel, and Baby Flores.
Arrangements, visitation and chapel service were held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer, Chicago, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Cremation Private. To leave any tributes, please visit the funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
MARIA DE LOURDES MARTINEZ
Maria De Lourdes Martinez, age 51, passed away March 25.
Will be forever missed by beloved family and friends.
Arrangements and visitation were held at Szykowny Funeral Home, Chicago. Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Pius V Church, Chicago. Final resting place Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. To leave any tributes, please visit the funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
ROBERT W. NOLAN
Robert W. Nolan, 91, late of Mokena, formerly of Orland Park, passed away April 6.
He was the husband of the late Joan M. Nolan (nee Waters). Father of Robert D. (Melissa) and Michele Nolan. Grandpa of Alexander and Abby Nolan. Uncle and friend of many.
He was Past Grand Knight and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus member for 70 years with Madonna Council 1135. Past Grand Knight and Commander of Honorable Joseph A. Power Assembly. Parishioner of St. Michael Church since 1977 serving as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. Retired insurance agent with Prudential with many years of dedicated service.
After retirement, Bob worked at Thornridge Funeral Home for many years as a wake duty attendant and funeral assistant.
He was a sergeant first class in the Illinois National Guard for 13 years.
He was a 1950 St. Rita High School Graduate.
Funeral Mass for Robert W. Nolan was held on April 12 at St. Michael Church. Visitation for Robert W. Nolan was held at Thornridge Funeral Home on April 11.
Interment Good Shepherd Cemetery.
CLEMENTE PENA
Clemente Pena, age 62, of Countryside, passed away peacefully March 29 surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved husband of Rojean (nee Carlson); cherished father of Amelia Pena (Dustin) Silvera, Cecilia Pena (Lawrence) Harper and Clemente Pena Jr.; proud grandfather of Isaiah McCormick, Daniel (Maya) McCormick, Max Nelson, Alexander Nelson, Elijah Pena, Deion Silvera, Omari Silvera –Pena, Soul Leader and Amelio Silvera-Pena; dear brother of Patricia (Ventura) Sias and Dolores (Rick) Garcia. Clemente will be missed by his nieces and nephews. Clemente was preceded in death by his parents, Rosario and Dolores Pena.
Visitation was held March 31 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). A Service in Celebration of Clemente’s life was held at the funeral home. Per his request, Clemente will be cremated, and his cremains will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Clemente’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
STANLEY JOSEPH SZAFLARSKI
Stanley Joseph Szaflarski, age 77, lost his battle to cancer February 19.
Survived by his loving daughter, grandchildren, and family. Proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Anna Szaflarski and beloved son, Stanley Szaflarski.
Visitation was held February 28 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 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.
LINDA D. WALKER
Linda D. Walker, age 75; longtime resident of the Village of Summit, passed away April 3.
Beloved wife of the late Charles E. Walker; loving mother of Beth Walker and Lori Walker; devoted gramma of Nicole (Jim) Smith and Jessica (Steven) Augle; great gramma of Steven, Alice and the late Roxi; dear sister of Rudy (Angie) Bestwina, the late David (late Bobbie) Bestwina and the late Bette (late Mike) McCabe. Linda will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation was held April 7 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). A Service in Celebration of Linda’s life was held at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to Linda’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
JOANN K. WILKE
Joann K. Wilke (nee Willett), age 92 of Lemont, passed away February 23.
Loving mother of Maryann (Roger) Krieg, William Wilke and Martha (David) Knop; proud grandmother of Karen and Theodore Krieg, Lauren (Guilherme) Knop Ribeiro, Allison and Evan Knop; dear sister of Larry Willett. Also survived by many loved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by husband, Elmer Wilke, mother Martha (McManus) Willett, and father William Willett.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn, Illinois General Fund. Visitation was held February 28 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 1, visitation until time of service at St Paul Lutheran Church 4660 W. 94th Street, Oak Lawn. Interment Bethania Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
ANNA “ANIA” ZOFIA WOJDYLA
Anna “Ania” Zofia Wojdyla, age 40, passed away February 22, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in Bridgeview.
Loving partner to Michael Weber; devoted daughter to Czeslawa and Wojciech Wojdyla, who survive her. Most incredible sibling and best friend to her younger sister, Malgorzata Wojdyla and her partner, Scott Vanderlin.
Visitation was held February 26 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held February 27, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Albert the Great Church, 8029 S. Central Avenue, Burbank for Mass. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Local News
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…
Boys Volleyball | Brother Rice falls to Glenbard West and York, takes 4th at Smack Attack
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent It was a busy weekend in the area for boys volleyball as Brother Rice hosted its 14th annual Smack Attack tournament. The 24-team event played April 19-20 featured area teams Brother Rice, Marist and Richards, along with defending Class 4A champion Glenbard West and two highly rated teams from…
Neighbors
Billions of cicadas get ready to raise a racket
Spread the loveBy Kelly White If you haven’t heard the buzz yet, you will soon. With 2024 marking a big year for periodical cicadas in Illinois, billions of the red-eyed buggers will soon be making an appearance. Periodical cicada broods XIII and XIX will be emerging throughout much of the state at the same time.…
‘A man of honor, a beacon of kindness’
Spread the love. Chicago weeps for Officer Luis Huesca . By Tim Hadac People across the Southwest Side shed tears earlier this week, as throngs of police officers and other filled the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel at 77th and Western for a funeral Mass for CPD Officer Luis M. Huesca. Officer Huesca was…
Archer Manor Little League starts its 2024 season
Spread the love. Sunny skies and mild temperatures greeted the boys and girls, moms and dads, umpires and coaches, and everyone else participating in Archer Manor Little League’s Opening Day parade and ceremonies at Archer Park. Since 1952, AMLL has provided athletic opportunities for thousands of boys and girls in Archer Heights, West Elsdon, Central…
Dread over car drifters on streets
Spread the love. Reckless drivers take over SW Side intersections . By Tim Hadac At the April meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, a police officer admitted that the drag racing/drifting phenomenon seen and heard in the Midway area in recent years “probably will increase, but we hope not.” The admission was triggered by…
Don’t raise pilots’ retirement age, García says
Spread the love. From staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th), senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recently led a letter joined by 121 Members of Congress urging House Democratic leadership to reject any changes to the pilot retirement age in a final version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill.…
CTA launches ‘chat’ feature on website
Spread the love. From staff reports Artificial Intelligence has made another step forward at the Chicago Transit Authority. CTA officials recently launched the “Chat with CTA” chatbot, a new virtual automated service featured on transitchicago.com. The communication tool allows riders to report issues, provide feedback and receive answers in real-time. Additionally, it provides the CTA with customer…
New effort to aid kids with disabilities
Spread the love. From staff reports A new grant program aimed at providing financial assistance to families of children with disabilities was launched recently by Mayor Brandon Johnson, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services. Children with disabilities is a population disproportionately affected by the pandemic,…
Dart warns of Sheriff’s Office imposters
Spread the love. From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently alerted the public of an uptick in telephone and email phishing scams in which scammers identify themselves as a Sheriff’s Office employee in an attempt to defraud victims. Scammers are using the actual names and respective titles of Sheriff’s Office employees to…
It’s ‘Batter up!’ time in West Lawn
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . It must be May because baseball season is here. I recently reported on the West Lawn Little League, whose 2024 season is now underway. Another West Lawn youth athletic association is Midway Baseball Softball Association. Their teams…