MELINDA “MELO” BARAJAS

Melinda “Melo” Barajas, age 27, passed away unexpectedly April 20.

Daughter of the late Pablo Barajas Jr. and Melinda L. Chavez; dear granddaughter to Phyllis (late Pablo Sr.) Barajas and Linda (late Richard) Skerrett; loving sister to Erik and Mariana, fond aunt, cousin, niece and a great friend to many.

Visitation was held April 27. Funeral Chapel Service was held April 28 at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. (Corner of Lorel). For more information please call 773-767-1840 or www.richardmidwayfh.com.

JOHN E. DUSLACK

John E. Duslack, age 74, of LaGrange, formerly of Chicago, Little Village community, passed away April 28.

Devoted son of the late Helene (nee Wilczewski) and late Raymond Duslack; loving brother of Raymond Duslack, Jr. and Richard Duslack; loving godfather of Barbara Foss; dear friend of Sheila Naughten; fond cousin of Mary Kay Thompson, Monica Dewitt, James Devane, Therese Zidron, Pablo Wilz, Richard Duslak, Frank (Dawn) Duslak, Kim Ackerson and many more.

Visitation was held May 4 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd, 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held May 5 from the funeral home to the Church of SS. Cyril & Methodius, Lemont for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

RITA HARAZIN

Rita Harazin (nee Drag); age 79, of Chicago, Archer Heights community, passed away April 28.

She was the loving mother of Denise (Mark) Williams, Jeanine (Scott) Bischoff and John Harazin; dearest grandmother of Samantha Williams, Adam and Riley Bischoff; devoted daughter of the late Bernice (nee Butkiewicz) and the late Fank Drag; dear sister of Justine (late Terry) Reilly, Judith (late Fred) Luna and the late Carol (Conrad) Grisko; aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10 a.m. at St. Bruno Church. Inurnment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum. 773-767-2166 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.

GLORIA E. IULIANO

Gloria E. Iuliano passed away April 22, with her loving family by her side.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Caroline Elia; she was the beloved wife of the late Anthony Iuliano. Cherished mother of James (Linda) Iuliano, Peter (Nancy) Iuliano, Anthony (Mary) Iuliano and Emma (Joseph) Shababy; devoted grandmother of Jennifer Iuliano, Anthony (fiancée Caitlin) Iuliano, Michael Iuliano, Matthew (Jenna) Iuliano, Lauren Iuliano, Amanda (Michael) Altobelli, Anthony Iuliano (Christina Flosi) and Vincent (Caitlin) Iuliano; proud great grandmother of Dominic, Juliana, Joseph, and Anthony; dear sister of the late Helen (late Frank) Vigna, Rosemarie (late Santo) Santucci, and Barbara (Bob) Frejlich. Loving Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held April 27 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. Summit, IL (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home April 28 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish, St. Symphorosa Church for Mass. Entombment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

LORRAINE KATELLO

Lorraine Katello (nee Hrabe), age 90, passed away May 3.

Beloved wife to the late Melvin D. “Mel” Katello for 65 years; loving mother of Debbie Katello, Tonette (Bill) Lauer, Tammy Miller and Tim Katello (David Stone); dear grandmother of Erica (Frank) Leal, Joe (Brianne) Lauer, Bill (Stacey) Lauer, Amy (Nate) Darling, Dan (Meagen) Miller, Kenny (Erica) Lauer, Mike (Dana) Wasag and Joe (Lindsey) Wasag; great grandmother of many.

Visitation was held May 5 until the Funeral Chapel Service at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. (Corner of Lorel). Interment Resurrection Cemetery. For more information please call 773-767-1840 or www.richardmidwayfh.com.

JOZEF KLIMEK

Jozef Klimek, age 74, passed away April 10.

Beloved companion of Krystyna Cekus; loving father of Slawomir Klimek; cherished son of Bronislawa (nee Remiasz) and the late Wladyslaw Klimek; dear brother of Janina (Andrzej) Radecki, Wladyslaw (Jozefa) Klimek and Maria (the late Stanislaw) Nowobilski. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 14 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 15, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home 708 496-0200 www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhome.com.

REV. KILIAN J. KNITTEL

Rev. Kilian J. Knittel, 88, pastor emeritus of St. Columba Parish in Chicago’s Hegewisch neighborhood, passed away April 30.

Fr. Knittel was born on Oct. 13, 1934, in Cicero. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Fr. Knittel was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1960, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and celebrated his first Mass on May 8 at Our Lady of the Mount Church in Cicero.

Fr. Knittel served the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Oak Lawn, and Resurrection Parish on Jackson Street and St. Jerome Parish on Lunt Avenue both in Chicago. He served as associate pastor in the following parishes: St. Hilary Parish on California Avenue in Chicago, St. Edward Parish on Sunnyside Avenue in Chicago, Our Lady of the Wayside Parish in Arlington Heights, Our Lady of Grace Parish on Ridgeway Avenue in Chicago and St. Joseph Parish in Homewood. He later became pastor at St. Columba Parish and served that parish for 10 years. Fr. Knittel also served as chaplain for the Apostleship of the Sea in Port Everglades, Fla.

Rev. Daniel P. Coughlin, former director of the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, remembered how his classmate loved being a priest and served with joy. “People would open their hearts to him about their lives and their issues,” Coughlin said. “He loved listening to them.” Coughlin added that Kilian loved telling stories.

Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at Elmwood Funeral Chapel, 11200 S. Ewing in Chicago. Visitation will also take place from 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, at St. John of the Cross Parish, 5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Springs. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, at St. John of the Cross Parish. Interment will take place at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Hillside.

EDWARD “ED” W. MOROSKY

Edward ´Ed” W. Morosky, age 60, of Willow Springs, passed away peacefully April 27, after a long illness, with his loving family at his side.

Beloved husband for 24 years to his true love, Kim; loving father of Kenneth Morosky; proud grandfather of Landin Morosky; cherished brother to Frank and his wife, Sharon; dear uncle of Frank (Alisha) Morosky and Jess (Josh) Dunnick. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Andrew Morosky.

Visitation was held May 3 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) with A Service in Celebration of Ed’s Life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ed’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, www.lls.org would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Ed’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.

RYSZARD NIEMYJSKI

Ryszard Niemyjski, 77, of Palos Hills, passed away April 29.

In his 77 years of life, he created a legacy of selflessness, love, and commitment to family that lives on in those he leaves behind.

Ryszard was a devoted and steadfast father to his two surviving sons, Mark and Chris, and daughters-in-law, Krystyna and Theresa. And his cherished grandchildren, David, Claudia, and Jasper. A brother to Lillian Godlewski, Stanley (Sharon), the late Joseph (Grazyna), and the late Tony (Ivona). And “Wujek Rysiek” is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Ryszard leaves behind numerous other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to American Cancer Society are appreciated.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 3, from 4-8 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral Services will be Thursday, May 4, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview, for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.

BLAIR J. NUCCIO

Blair J. Nuccio, age 84, longtime resident and grew up in Summit, passed away peacefully in his sleep April 21.

He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley Nuccio; devoted and loving father of Susan Nuccio, Blair S. (Peggy) Nuccio and Christopher (Martha) Nuccio; cherished grandfather of Brooke Nuccio (Tucker Burch) and Nicholas (Savannah) Nuccio; proud great grandfather of Leo Morgan Burch.

Visitation was held April 30 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Blair will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Blair to the Alzheimer’s  Association, www.alz.org.

JOZEFA OCHENKOWSKI

Jozefa Ochenkowski (nee Barnas), age 62, passed away April 9.

Beloved wife of the late Andrzej Ochenkowski; loving mother of Marta (the late Tadeusz) Wojtaszek; dearest grandmother of Emilia Wojtaszek; cherished daughter of the late Bronislawa (nee Dlugopolska) and the late Stanislaw Barnas; dear sister of Kazimiera (Jaroslaw) Lefanowicz, Andrzej (Stanislawa) Barnas and Maria (the late Stanislaw) Koltas-Szczechowicz. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 12 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 13, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Andrew the Apostle Church, 505 Kingston Drive, Romeoville for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. More information call 708 496-0200 www.kaminskifamilyfunerlhomes.com.

WILLIAM “BILL” JOHN PALMER, IV

William “Bill” John Palmer IV, age 50, passed away April 3.

Beloved husband of Becky; loving father of Billy and Kyle; cherished son of the late Judy (nee Hogan) and the late Bill Palmer; step-son of the late Rich Koziol; dear brother of Patsy (Kevin) Epling and Rose (Mike) Hill. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 10 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 11, Service and time of remembrance were held at the funeral home. Interment, Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park, Willow Springs. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

SOCORRO M. PENA

Socorro M. Pena passed away April 22, after a long courageous battle, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the beloved wife of Rasilides Pena; loving mother of Caesar (Pascuala) Moncada, Norma (Rafael) Comacho and Sonia (Enrique) Aguirre; devoted grandmother of Francisco, Jose, Juan, Julie, Crystal and Celina Moncada, Rafael III, Christian, Julian, Cassandra and Alondra Comacho, Yesenia (Jose)Gonzalez, Angel, Jasmine, Joshua, Adrian and Sophia Aguirre; loving great grandmother of Joselyn and Jose Gonzalez and Ariel Aguirre.

Visitation was held April 28 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home April 29 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Our Lady of the Snows Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment is Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

JOHN R. PETROSIUS 

John R. Petrosius, age 70, U.S. Army Veteran.

Beloved son of the late Vincent (the late Helen) Petrosius; cherished brother of Vincent Petrosius, Mary (Zenon) Norbut, Genevieve (Bill) Liekis and Patricia (Kenneth) Polak; dear and kind uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Services private. Arrangements entrusted to Wolniak Funeral Home 773-767-4500.

SOFIA RODRIGUEZ DE RIVERA

Sofia Rodriguez de Rivera passed away peacefully at home the evening of April 19, with her loving family by her side.

She was the beloved wife of the late Carlos Rivera; loving mother of Lourdes, Domy, Uvy, Veronica, Jesus, Ole, Carlos and Angelica; treasured grandmother and great grandmother of many.

Visitation was held April 26 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home April 27 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Blasé Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Sofia will be laid to rest next to her husband Carlos at Resurrection Cemetery.

TERESA SIDOR

Teresa Sidor (nee Winiarska), age 84, passed away April 4.

Beloved wife of the late Kazimierz Sidor; loving mother of Witold Sidor (Konstantinos Kostas) and Tomasz (Mahmudiye) Sidor; dear grandmother of Kasia Sidor and Liam Sidor; cherished daughter of the late Bronislawa (nee Nerka) and the late Stanislaw Winiarski; fond sister of Bronislawa (the late Jozef) Majka, Jozefa (Zbigniew) Zielonka and Stanislawa (the late Wladyslaw) Hryniszyn. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Alzheimers Association are much appreciated. Please see the links at the bottom of the obituary page under Memorials. Visitation was held April 13 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 14, 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.

REV. RAYMOND J. TILLROCK

Rev. Raymond J. Tillrock, 82, pastor emeritus of St. Barnabas Parish in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, passed away April 27.

Fr. Tillrock was born on July 29, 1940, in Chicago. He attended St. Rita High School, Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.

Fr. Tillrock was ordained to the priesthood on May 14, 1969, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrated his first Mass on May 18 at St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Chicago.

Fr. Tillrock served the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette. He was on the faculty of Niles College Seminary from 1974 to 1979. Later, Fr. Tillrock served as associate pastor at St. Mary of Celle Parish in Berwyn and pastor at St. Barnabas Parish. In addition, he was a long serving board member of the Priests’ Retirement and Mutual Aid Association. He retired in 2003.

Rev. William J. Zavaski, pastor emeritus of St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, was a good friend and classmate of Tillrock. “He was a very important member of our group (of classmates),” Zavaski said. “He was a great sailor – he was sailing until this past year!” Zavaski described Fr. Tillrock as “a fun person to be with, very kind and loving,” and remembered how much his classmate loved his dog Barney, a close companion for years.

“Ray was a hardworking and thoughtful pastor,” said Msgr. John F. Canary, former rector of Mundelein Seminary. Canary remembered his classmate when they started seminary, “He came in with a lot of his background in finance and accounting but also with a good caring side which he showed always to the people in need.” Canary described Fr. Tillrock as an excellent preacher and a good, loyal friend, “You could count on him and he was always there for you.”

On Thursday, May 4, visitation will take place from 3-9 p.m. and a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5. All funeral services will be at St. Barnabas Church, 10134 S. Longwood Drive in Chicago.

The Most Rev. Francis J. Kane, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Chicago and seminary classmate, will be the main celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park.

ARTURO DIEGO VILLAFUERTE

Arturo Diego Villafuerte, age 29, of Chicago, Archer Heights community, passed away unexpectedly April 26.

Treasured son of Myrna and Marcos Villafuerte; loving brother of Alex and Alondra Villafuerte; cherished grandson of Irma (the Late Faustino) Martinez, the late Clementine and the late Remigio Villafuerte; loving godfather to Angie; beloved boyfriend to Anna; dear nephew of Homero, Stephanie, Ramona, Irene, Guadalupe, Jose Luis, Carlos, Beatrice, the late Teresa and the late Remigio. Arturo will be missed by his many cousins and friends.

Memorial visitation was held May 1 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held May 2 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Our Lady of Fatima Church for Mass. Arturo will be laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery next to his dear grandfather Faustino. Condolences may be sent to Arturo’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.