Funeral-Flowers.4 logo

Obituaries May 4, 2023

Spread the love

AdamsMSGR. MICHAEL J. ADAMS

Msgr. Michael J. Adams, pastor emeritus of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish on 64th Street in Chicago, passed away April 23. He was 90 years old.

Adams was born on April 9, 1933, in Chicago. He attended St. Catherine of Genoa School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Adams was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1959, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and celebrated his first Mass on May 10 at St. Catherine of Genoa Parish in Chicago.

Adams served the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish in Evanston and at the following parishes in Chicago: St. Margaret of Scotland Parish on S. Throop Street, St. Matthias Parish on Ainslie Street and St. Francis de Paula Parish on Dobson Avenue.

Adams was pastor of St. Gall Parish on 55th Street in Chicago for12 years and he also served as pastor at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish for 11 years. He retired in 2003.

In addition, Adams was chaplain at Amundsen High School and executive secretary to the clergy personnel board.

Rev. Ron Kalas, vicar for senior priests, remembered his classmate as “a very thoughtful man, always ready to do what he was asked to do, and he did that with charm and grace.”

“Mike was a quiet, very dedicated, hardworking, non-flamboyant, faithful and compassionate priest,” said Rev. Ed McLaughlin, retired pastor of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park. “Three times since he retired, he was called to administer parishes because of his competence and compassion.”

Funeral services were held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Chicago. Interment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.

BassLINDA S. BASS

Linda S. Bass, age 73, passed away April 15.

Will be forever missed by loving family and friends.

Visitation was held st Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Mary Star of the Sea, Chicago. Cremation Private. To leave any tributes, please visit the funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.

BryjaCAROL BRYJA

Carol Bryja (nee Onyszko), age 79, of Chicago, Clearing community, passed away April 12, with her loving son by her side.

Wife of the late John Bryja; beloved mother of David (Dolores) Bryja and Thomas (Debra) Bryja; loving grandmother of Victoria, Johnathan, and Tom; dear daughter of the late Leona and George Onyszko; sister of the late Robert (late Audrey) Onyszko; cherished cousin of Jackie (late Raymond) Pokorny, David (late Dorothy) Kulig, Pam (Michael) Colwell, and the late Michael Osucha. She will be remembered fondly by her nephews, nieces, other relatives, and many friends.

Visitation was held April 20 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home April 21 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Carol was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery by her family monument. Condolences may be sent to Carol’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

KATARZYNA CZERNIK

Katarzyna Czernik (nee Rydz), of Oak Lawn, formerly of Chicago, Archer Heights community

Beloved mother of Anna (Donat) Czerny and Grzegorz (Zofia) Czernik; loving grandmother of Izabela and Justyna; dearest sister of six; dear companion of Frank.

Funeral mass was held April 15 at Our Lady, Mother of the Church Polish Mission. Visitation was held April 15 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 South Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Interment Lodz, Poland. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.

GornickJOHN D. GORNICK

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copyJohn D. Gornick, age 90, passed away March 10. US Navy Veteran.

Beloved husband of the late Evelyn Gornick; loving father of John (Laurie) Gornick, Mike (Pat) Gornick, Joe (Diane) Gornick, Nick (Cindy) Gornick, Chris Gornick and Marie Gornick; dear grandfather of Beth (Jon) Rachanski, Michael Gornick, Dani (Mike) Hall, Ben Gornick, Greg Gornick, Claire Gornick, Nick (Lauren) Gornick, Nathan Gornick, Jack Gornick, Kate Gornick, Hannah Gornick and Jenna Gornick. Dearest great-grandfather of Beckett Rachanski. Fond brother of Margaret Infurna. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held March 17 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 18, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Daniel the Prophet Church, 5358 S. Nashville Ave., Chicago, for Mass. Cremation rites to be accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

GrosskopfFREDERICK W. GROSSKOPF

Frederick W. Grosskopf, age 87, of Brookfield formerly of LaGrange and the South Side of Chicago, passed away April 14.

Beloved husband of Ardythe Grosskopf (nee Thompson); loving father of Kathie (David) Miller-Schapira, Cindy (Ben) Sanchez, Fred (Susan) Grosskopf, Ken (Kirsten) Grosskopf and Steve (Katie) Grosskopf; grandfather of Nathan, Nicole, Erik, Maddie, Mason, Grace, Tyler, Libby and Tommy; brother of Edmund (Margaret) Grosskopf and the late Marie (the late Leonard) Schmit; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Visitation will be held Friday, June 9, 2023 from 8:00 a.m to 9:15 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. at St. Cletus Church, 600 W 55th St, LaGrange, IL 60525. Interment Private Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst. Memorials appreciated to Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N. 25 E. Chesterton, IN 46304 or St. Cletus Church, 600 W 55th St, La Grange, IL 60525 or DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604 Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com. For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, you can leave the family a message on the funeral home website. 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 Frederick Grosskopf Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.

HaliszRUTH HALISZ

Ruth Halisz, age 62, of Chicago, Clearing community, passed away peacefully April 21, with her family by her side.

Loving mother of Lisa Halisz; devoted Nana of Jonathan and Katelyn Halisz; cherished sister of Lena (William) Brady and Virginia “Ginny” Halisz and the late Frances Halisz. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Virginia Halisz. Wonderful aunt to Michael (Jacqueline) Brady and Brian Brady; dear great aunt to Declan, Kilian, Maura and Clara Brady. Ruth was honored to be considered a special member of the Brady family. She will be missed by her many friends.

Visitation was held April 25 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home April 26 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Rene Goupil Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Ruth’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

KowalczykLUDWIK KOWALCZYK

Ludwik Kowalczyk, age 88, passed away March 10.

Beloved husband of Teofila (nee Szuba) Kowalczyk; loving father of Ann (Jozef) Cikowski and Maria Ciezczak; dear grandfather of Daniel (Kristy) Cikowski, Alicia (Kenny) Wall, Emily (Brian) Otte, Johanna Ciezczak and Thomas (Sarah) Ciezczak; dearest great-grandfather of Kaiden, Kailey, Emma, Crue, Nolan and Theo; cherished son of the late Aniela (nee Gogolak) and the late Jan Kowalczyk; dear brother of Maria Jakubik, Stanislaw Kowalczyk, Stella (John) Miernicki, Kazimierz (Anna) Kowalczyk, the late Antonina Mietus, the late Karol Kowalczyk, the late Jan Kowalczyk, the late Aniela Kowalczyk and the late Andrzej Kowalczyk. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held March 14 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 15, 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.

MikosJÓZEF MIKOS

Józef Mikos, age 73, of Chicago, Archer Heights community, passed away after a long and hard illness April 19.

Beloved husband of Bronislawa (nee Pawlikowska); loving father of Krzysztof (Diana) Mikos, Zbigniew (Izabela) Mikos and Ewa (Sebastian) Labuda; dear grandfather of Emily and Aria Mikos, Zuzia, Kacper and Nicholas Labuda; fond brother of Jan (Marcelina), Piotr (Jadwiga), Marian (Ewa) and the late Stanislaw (Zofia) Mikos; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held April 21, funeral was held April 22 from Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 5088 S. Archer Avenue, corner of Keeler to the Church of St. Mary of Czestochowa, Cicero for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 773-767-2166.

CHRISTINE LEE NORTON

Christine Lee Norton (nee Grigas), age 71, passed away April 22.

Loving mother of Brian Norton (Robin Whitney), Kerry Cassidy Norton (Alison Cassidy Norton), Erin Norton (Mary Schultz), Edward Norton (Claire Norton) and Katie Norton (Daniel Quinn); doting grandmother of Emilia and Eva Norton, and Laurence Cassidy Norton; former wife of the late Thomas E Norton, CPD; beloved sister of Daniel Grigas (Jean); cherished best friend and partner to Robert Farley.

Visitation was held April 27 at the Kerry Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, 7020 W. 127th Street, Palos Heights. Family & friends gathered April 28 at Saint Bede the Venerable Church, 8200 S. Kostner Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment private. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christine L. Norton, please visit our flower store. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the National Parks Foundation would be appreciated. https://give.nationalparks.org/ 708-361-4235 ~ www.kerryfh.com ~ www.facebook.com/kerryfuneral.

PasinskiSTANLEY WALTER PASINSKI

Stanley Walter Pasinski, age 85, of Glen Ellyn, formerly of Chicago, passed away April 15 in Downers Grove.

Visitation and service were held April 22 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W Archer Ave, Summit. Reception immediately followed at European Chalet Banquets, 5445 S Harlem Ave, Chicago.

Stanley is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Lorraine; his daughter, Kimberly (Donald) Tatera; son, Steven (Carrie) Pasinski; his grandchildren: Sarah, Daniel, and Ella; and many loving inlaws, nieces, nephews, family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Angeline (Gil) Pasinski and his brothers: Eugene, Edmond, and Henry.

Condolences may be sent to Stanley’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

RegnerusRUTH C. REGNERUS

Ruth C. Regnerus (nee Kiers), 76, passed away on April 27.

She was the beloved wife for 56 years to Robert D. Regnerus.  Loving mother of Bob (Arlene) Regnerus, Christine (Joel) VanEssen and Brian (Carrie) Regnerus.  Cherished grandmother of William, Bethany, Anna, Isaac, Makena, Mak, Noa and Kai.  Dear sister of Marilee (James) Guthrie, Dean (Debbie) Kiers, Deborah (late Pete) Kowalczyk and the late Mark (Trudy) Kiers and Bucky Kiers.  Dear sister-in-law of Elizabeth (Doug Owens and the late George) Denison and the late Ginger (John) Riedas.  Fond aunt of 19 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.  Loving and caring friend to countless people over her 76 years.

Ruth was a generous and loving soul.  Hundreds of family and friends were blessed with cards, texts and gifts over the years and were recipients of her lavish, unconditional love.

After raising her children, she faithfully served her church as a Sunday School teacher and leader.

For nearly 30 years, Ruth helped thousands of clients working for Palos Bank and Trust as well as Palos Wealth Advisors.

Whether cheering on her children and grandchildren, baking, or sharing a meal, Ruth lived a selfless life of joy and gratitude.

To honor her wishes, there will be no wake or funeral.  The family will have a Celebration of Life with relatives and invited guests.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Chicago Christian High School, 12001 S. Oak Park Ave., Palos Heights, IL 60463 are appreciated.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com

ADAM J. SMOLA

Adam J. Smola devoted son of Krystyna (nee Bulaga) and the late Franciszek “Frank” Smola; loving father of Christopher, Timothy and Matthew; dearest brother of Paul (Jennifer) Smola; dear uncle of Abbie, Kristie, Maggie and Emma; fond nephew and cousin to many.

Visitation was held April 30 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held May 1 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Faustina Kowalska for Mass. Entombment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.

WahlerMICHAEL WAHLER

Michael Wahler, age 90, of Brookfield, passed away April 9.

Beloved husband of Gisela Erika Wahler (nee Beissert); loving father of Gordon (Virginia) Wahler; grandfather of Andrew Wahler, Nathan Wahler and Katherine Pacilli; brother of the late Resi, Anton and Willie.

Visitation was held April 13 and April 14, to Time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park. 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 Michael Wahler Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.

ZaragozaXAVIER ZARAGOZA

Xavier Zaragoza, age 64, of Munster, IN, passed away April 11.

Beloved companion of Ana Leon; loving father of the late Maya Zaragoza; dear brother of Jesus (Yasmin) Zaragoza; cherished uncle of Yasmin N., Janessa and Jesus D. (Kelli) Zaragoza; great uncle of Gabriella, Alessandra and Amiliana; dearest loved one to Paulina Leon, Yolanda Leon, Erma Leon, Litzi, Alvin, Edy and Kevin Barrera. Also survived by many family, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held on April 19 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Celebration of Life Service was followed, Deacon Oscar Gonzalez Officiating. Condolences may be sent to Xavier’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

 

Local News

Guzman

Charge Brighton Pk. man with child’s murder

Spread the love

Spread the loveDrove getaway vehicle, police say By Tim Hadac A 27-year-old Brighton Park man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with murder in the Jan. 22 slaying of 8-year-old Melissa Ortega in the Little Village neighborhood. Xavier Guzman, 27, of the 4600 block of South Fairfield, and the teen are in custody. Bond…

BBBlogo2021

Think before you answer a Facebook quiz, BBB says

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Better Business Bureau staff Social media is used as a fun distraction for some people, and taking a Facebook quiz may seem like a harmless way to pass the time. But are you giving away more information than you think? How the scam works A fun quiz pops up on your Facebook…

Joan Hadac

Thank you, Karen Sala

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large As we all know, longtime Gage Park correspondent Karen Sala has decided to conclude her time with this column. Like every Greater Southwest News-Herald correspondent, Karen made the neighborhoods she served a better place. Thank you, Karen! That said, the search now begins for a new Gage…

Peggy Zabicki

Crime prevention starts with each of us

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 Hi neighbors! Before I say another thing, I want to wish my fellow columnist Karen Sala well. As you know, she wrote her final column last week. I love Karen’s style of writing. It’s conversational and natural. I always felt like she…

Mary Stanek

Plenty to celebrate in February

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394 “February is the month when days start to get long and gloomy nights to shrink.” –Anonymous. Thank goodness there are only 28 days this year. We are getting closer to March. But it’s silly to…

George Gofis wants to open a bar with emphasis on gaming at the former Crossing Bar & Grill in Worth. (File photo)

Worth’s Crossing Bar and Grill closed permanently after double homicide

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The Crossing Bar and Grill in Worth, where two men were shot and killed the night of January 10, is permanently closed. The bar had been closed since the shootings. At a village board meeting after the shootings, a resident brought up her concerns about alleged disturbances that have taken…

regional republic services - Copy

Storm scrambles waste pickup in Palos Park

Spread the love

Spread the loveOn Wednesday afternoon, the Village of Palos Park was informed by Republic Services that waste pickup is cancelled in the village, and all other communities they serve, for Thursday, February 3, due to the continued closure of landfill sites from the hazardous winter conditions. Thursday waste service customers will need to hold their…

The neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day parade is a family-focused event, and those at the curb are often as colorful and interesting as those in the parade itself—as these parade goers proved in 2021. --Photo by Cosmo Hadac

Archer Avenue may go green

Spread the love

Spread the loveSt. Patrick’s Day parade planned By Tim Hadac Organizers of Garfield Ridge’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade are hoping the Lightfoot Administration will give a green thumbs-up to the small but festive celebration of all things Irish. For each of the last two years, City Hall withdrew its support and denied permits based…

Orland firefighters enter an apartment building on Sunday morning. (Photo courtesy of Orland Fire Protection District)

No injuries in basement fire in Orland Park apartment

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports A basement fire damaged a four-unit apartment building early Sunday morning in Orland Park. The fire was extinguished quickly and damage was kept to a small area of the basement, although smoke filled the building. Officials of the Orland Fire Protection District said there were no injuries and the cause…

reporter water's edge golf course

Worth hires new management for Water’s Edge Golf Course

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Even an impending snowstorm could not damper the mood of Worth Trustee Laura Packwood regarding plans for the village’s Water’s Edge Golf Course. Packwood, who is the head of the golf committee, said that Orion, a company based out of Kansas City, Mo., became the official managers of Water’s Edge…

Neighbors

Alan Morales

Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding

Spread the love

Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent   High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…

Peggy Zabicki

Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…

Mary Stanek

Fourth of July not happy for everyone

Spread the love

Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…

Kathy Headley

St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look

Spread the love

Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…

Alyssa Naeher clears a ball at North Carolina on June 23 in a 3-1 Red Stars loss. IMAGN photo

Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…

Dana Rettke, a graduate of Riverside-Brookfield High School, will play on the U.S. women's volleyball team at the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…

Kathy Headley

Hope Church feeds the hungry at Marquette Park

Spread the love

Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium. Pastors Ben and Jordyn…

Hadi Isbaih

Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…