Funeral-Flowers.4 logo

Obituaries August 24, 2023

Spread the love

CouchEARL NATHAN COUCH, JR.

Earl Nathan Couch, Jr., age 87, passed away August 11. Retired Oak Lawn Fire Fighter.

Beloved husband to the late Margaret (Margie) Couch; devoted father of Andrew (Mary) Couch, Laurie (John) De Haan, and Bernard B.J. Couch; proud grandfather of, Jessica (James) Schwenn Griff, David Schwenn (Bonnie), Bradley and Jordan Couch, Maranda, Andrew and Steven Couch. Prouder great grandchildren, Amelia and Eli Schwenn; dear son of the late Earl, Sr. and the late Dolly Couch; koving brother to Howard Malis, (late Dottie) twin brother, Edward (Chrys) Couch and late Robert (late Rhoda) Couch.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion, 9701 S. Kedzie Ave., Evergreen Park, on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join our family to toast this wonderful kind family man. Beverages and sandwiches will be served. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice in Earl’s name. Arrangements entrusted to care of the Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, Illinois. 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

HalperDONALD F. HALPER

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copyDonald F. Halper, age 91, passed away August 12. US Airforce Veteran.

Dear husband of Mary Halper (nee Wurst); loving dad of James Halper (Jody), Deborah Kilbane (Brian), and Michelle Halper; cherished grandfather of Hannah; dearest son of the late Louis and the late Hedwig Halper; fond brother of the late Anne, the late Marie, the late Josephine, the late Rosie, the late Rita, the late John, and the late Francis. Beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held August 16 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 16, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish – St. Rene Goupil Church, 6340 S. New England Ave., Chicago for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

MaciataDANIEL MACIATA

Daniel Maciata, age 32, passed away August 13.

Cherished son of Anna (nee Majerczyk) and the late Andrzej Maciata; dear brother of Andrzej (Rebecca) Maciata, the late Joanna Maciata and Michal (Malgorzata) Maciata; fond uncle of Brian, Jenna, Lilliana, Jacob, Krystian, Adrian and Monika. Lovingly survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held August 18 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 19, 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.

MundyMARIANNE MUNDY

Marianne Mundy (nee Simpson), graced this earth for 92 years, passed away August 12.

She was the beloved wife of the late William Mundy; loving mother of William (Colleen) Mundy, Timothy Mundy, Todd Mundy and the late Edward and late Stephen Mundy; dearest grandmother of Rebecca, Kaitlyn, David, Robert, Heather, James, Kali, Jacob, Lisa, Elizabeth, Kimberly and Amy.

Visitation was held August 17 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) with a Celebration of Life Service after. She will be cremated and buried next to her beloved husband in the family plot in Westfrankfort, Illinois.

RICHARD L. ORR

images REPORTER EXTRA ART Am Flag copyRichard L. Orr, 89, of Palos Hills, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August 21.

He was a Marine veteran of the Korean War.

He was the beloved husband of Bernice nee Butkus; loving father of Rick (Donna) Orr, Debbie Price, Tina (Marc) Margulis, Sandy Knapp, Lynn (fiancé Mike), and Steven (Lucy) Surchik; Cherished grandfather of Ashley, Samantha, Mandi (Dylan) Kaylee, and Michael; proud great grandfather of Cameron; Devoted sons of the late Robert and Bernice nee Banczek Orr; dear brother of Dayton (Virginia) Orr; kind uncle of Kathy (Matt) Slonski, Sue (Jim) Brown and the late Laura Heath.

Richard was a member of Local 150 of the Operating Engineer and Lindahl Bros.

Richard was also a past president of the Forest Park VFW and Local 150 Retirees Club.

Family and friend will gather for visitation on Thursday, August 24, from 3- 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, August 25, at 9:15 a.m. from the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills, to Sacred Heart Church for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Path Lights (formerly PLOWS Council on Aging), 7808 College Dr., Palos Heights IL 60463 or www.pathlights.org would be appreciated.

PalkaMONICA PALKA

Monica Palka, age 32, passed away August 9.

Cherished daughter of Iwona (nee Czyszczon) and Wladyslaw Palka; dearest sister of Marek Palka; dear granddaughter of Helena and the late Eugeniusz Czyszczon and the late Maria and the late Tadeusz Palka. Lovingly survived by her godparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Loving friend to many.

Visitation was held August 16 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 17, 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.

PopowiczSTANISLAWA POPOWICZ

Stanislawa Popowicz (nee Slodyczka), age 95, passed away August 16.

Beloved wife of the late Adam Popowicz and the late Franciszek Mrozek; loving mother of the late Andrzej Mrozek, Janina (Henryk) Sobanski, Irena Papierz, Malgorzata (Andrzej) Piton, Franciszek Mrozek and the late Stanislaw Mrozek; dear grandmother of Bartlomiej Obrochta-Bartus, Joanna (Janusz) Danko, Monica (Marek) Krzysiak and Jakub Piton-Kubow; dearest great-grandmother of Kamila Obrochta-Bartus, Andrzej Danko, Jan Obrochta-Bartus, Adrian Danko, Alex Krauzowicz, Adam Danko, Natalia Obrochta-Bartus, Lillian Krzysiak and Isabella Krzysiak; cherished daughter of the late Maria (nee Tatar) and the late Andrzej Slodyczka; treasured sister of the late Jozefa Gasienica-Brzega, the late Helena Figus, the late Czeslawa Holy, the late Janina Pajak and the late Teresa Slodyczka. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Proud member and founder of Kolo nr. 34 Zakopane of ZPPA.

Visitation was held August 21 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 22, Prayers and procession to begin from the funeral home to Saint Faustina Kowalska Church, 5255 S. McVicker Avenue, Chicago, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

PuszkarskiJOZEF PUSZKARSKI

Jozef Puszkarski, age 75, passed away August 9.

Beloved husband of Helena Puszkarska (nee Garb); loving father of Miroslaw (Krystyna) Puszkarski, ‘lilla (Craig) Karschnick and Anna Puszkarska; dearest grandfather of Patricia, Adam, Jacek, Johnny and Olivia; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Jaremczuk) and the late Aleksander Puszkarski; dear brother of the late Maria, the late Wladyslawa, the late Ola, Janina and Piotr. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held August 17 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 18, 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.

RabigMARGARET CATHERINE RABIG

Margaret Catherine Rabig, age 92, passed away quietly at home, in her sleep, surrounded by family August 16.

Margaret was born to Joseph McNamara and Margaret Gipe on April 30, 1931 and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. She grew up with three siblings: Jean (Gus) Walters, James (Lawanda) McNamara, and Richard (Dolores) McNamara. On May 14, 1949, Margaret married John Howard “Tony” Rabig. John and Margaret were blessed with five wonderful children; Anthony (Carol) Rabig, Catherine (George) Villarreal, Deborah Schmitt (Ken Vanderwarren), Joseph (Kristine) Rabig, and Linda (Robert) Patefield. Margaret was also an adoring grandmother to many grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Cordova, Stephanie (Christopher) Holding, Devin Rabig (Lisa), Emily Schmitt, Rebecca (Don) Pudlowski, Benjamin (Danielle) Schmitt, Katherine Rabig, Emily Sheehy, David Patefield and Kristin Patefield. She also had eight great-grandchildren, Rowan Cordova, John Cordova, Morgaine Roberts (Brian Kinkaide), Kaylee Holding, Ian Holding, Nathaniel Rabig, Joshua Butler and Benjamin T. Schmitt. She was also a fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Margaret was a devoted wife and mother. While raising her family in Bridgeview, IL, Margaret attended St. Fabian’s parish. She was active in the Bridgeview community and volunteered for the Bridgeview Active Party. She also worked many years at the historic Willowbrook Ballroom and Restaurant in Willow Springs. She moved on and worked for the Bridgeview Police Department, as Secretary to the Chief of Police. After her husband, “Tony” Rabig passed away, she moved to Lemont, IL and volunteered with the Lemont Police Department. She enjoyed keeping busy, staying active, volunteering, and inspired all who knew her with her bright and positive attitude.

Visitation was held August 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Private interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

StempinskiKENNETH J. STEMPINSKI

Kenneth J. Stempinski, age 70, passed away August 17.

Beloved husband of Susan (nee McGovern); cherished father of Kelly (Tony) Metoyer and Jessica Stempinski; adored grandfather of Emilia Metoyer; cherished son of Anna and the late John Stempinski; loving brother of the late Tom (Maria) and Joyce Stempinski; brother-in-law to Laura McGovern (Durward Pettigrew) and Colleen (Mark) Graves; “Treat” Sneaker to Schnitzel, Lola and the late Misty.

Born in Chicago, Ken grew up in the Bridgeport neighborhood, attending St. Barbara Elementary School, and later St. Rita High School. He was an active member of St. Barbara Parish, their Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. Ken worked in the Chicago Park District and was a 28-year employee of IDOT. He was an avid golfer, bowler, and Chicago Blackhawks fan. Most of all, he loved his family.

Visitation was held August 20 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a Funeral Service and Time of Remembrance conducted by Reverend Francis Li. Cremation rites to be accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

WalkoszBRONISLAW WALKOSZ

Bronislaw Walkosz, age 71, passed away August 12.

Beloved husband of Malgorzata Walkosz (nee Sarnowska); loving father of Wioletta Komperda and Ewa Maria Komperda; dearest grandfather of Weronika Kompera, Wiktoria Komperda and Wanessa Komperda; cherished son of the late Janina (nee Majerczyk) and the late Jan Walkosz-Jambor; dear brother of Zofia Hajdari, Maria (Franciszek) Ustupski, the late Stanislaw Walkosz and the late Jozef Walkosz. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held August 17 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held August 18, 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.

SUSAN I. WILSON

Susan I. Wilson, 78, lifelong resident of Worth, passed away August 14.

She was the beloved wife of Edward Wilson; loving mother of Stephen (Natalie) Wilson, Benjamin Wilson, Jeffrey (Cathy) Wilson, Susannah (Tammy) Pytel, Herbert (Sara) Wilson; cherished grandmother of Madelyn, Allison, Megan, Josh, Vivian, Hank, JR, Ethan, Peyton, and Rhys; proud great-grandmother of Maya; dearest sister of Carol (Paul) Tokarz, and Jeanie Griffin; dear aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial visitation on Thursday, August 24, from 3-8 p.m. with funeral service at 7:30 p.m. at the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills. Interment private.

For information or to express your condolences, please visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410.

Local News

Over the past few years, Palos Heights School District 128 has experienced explosive growth among incoming students. (Supplied photos)

Palos Heights SD 128 sees enrollment boom

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Over the past few years, Palos Heights School District 128 has experienced an explosive growth among incoming students. There has been a significant increase particularly at Indian Hill Early Learning Center, 12800 S. Austin Ave. Chippewa Elementary School, 12425 S. Austin Ave; Navajo Elementary School, 12401 S. Oak Park Ave;…

Orange's Pancake House, 11845 Southwest Highway in Palos Heights, held a ribbon-cutting event on April 18. (Photos by Kelly White)

Comings & Goings: Orange’s Pancake House now open in Palos Heights

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights is the home of a popular new breakfast café. Orange’s Pancake House, 11845 Southwest Highway, held a ribbon-cutting event on April 18. Owners, Elvia Briones, of Virgina, and Fernando Cruz, of Evergreen Park, said they were very excited to be in the heart of the Palos Heights community.…

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound May 8, 2024

Spread the love

Spread the love

Kathy Headley

Sisters make Chicago Lawn a world destination

Spread the love

Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Earlier this month was the Fifth Lithuanian Documentary Film Festival, with distinguished guests from Lithuania and other parts of the United States visiting the neighborhood. They held a photo session in the editorial office of…

Mary Stanek

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone, 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 . Yet another Mother’s Day is upon us. I wish everyone a happy day. By everyone I do mean everyone. There are a lot of dads who do it alone, along with important mother…

Peggy Zabicki

Mother’s Day is truly a day to be celebrated

Spread the love

Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place •  (773) 504-9327 . Mother’s Day happens on Sunday, May 12. If this isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Motherhood means new life, new beginnings, new possibilities. Even if you won’t be seeing your mom, you can still…

Nazareth’s David Brunke goes for a kill as Marist players try to block his attempt. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys Volleyball | Marist tops Nazareth for ninth straight win

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Marist ran its winning streak to nine game with a 25-16, 25-17 victory over East Suburban Catholic Conference rival Nazareth on May 2. The win streak is the RedHawks’ second longest streak of the season after their season-opening 12-match run. Eight of the nine matches during the current streak…

SXU's men's volleyball team made it to the semifinals of the NAIA National Tournament before falling to Georgetown, Kentucky . Photo courtesy of Saint Xavier University Department of Athletics

Saint Xavier men’s volleyball finishes historic season in nation’s top 4

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier men’s volleyball team made history by advancing to the semifinals of the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship. But the Cougars fell to eventual national champion Georgetown (Kentucky), 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10, on May 3 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Although there was…

University of St. Francis sophomore first baseman Nate Maliska went 9-for-15 (.600) with eight RBI and seven runs scored during the week that ended April 7. Photo courtesy of University of St. Francis Athletics

St. Francis first baseman Nate Maliska earns conference POW honors

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Mike Walsh Correspondent The University of St. Francis sophomore first baseman Nate Maliska was chosen the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s Player of the Week in baseball for April 7. In helping the Saints to four wins that week, Maliska went 9-for-15 (.600) with eight RBI and seven runs scored. The St. Laurence…

Joey Gumuls fist pumps his starting pitcher Frank Bilecki after avoiding some damage in the first inning. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Baseball | Marist claws way back to .500

Spread the love

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…

Neighbors

Abdelnasser Rashid

Rashid calls college demonstrators ‘student heroes’

Spread the love

Spread the love. Rips Israel over “apartheid’ and ‘genocide’ .  From staff reports The crisis in Palestine is taking a terrifying turn as the Israeli military is preparing to invade Rafah where more than one million Palestinians have been forced to after their homes in northern Gaza were destroyed, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) said…

Bringing the Titanic back to life was the Worth Public Library on April 15 with a program called, The Haunted Titanic, with local historian Bob Trzeciak. (Photo by Kelly White)

Titanic memories haunt Worth Library

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White This year marks the 112th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful ship crossing. Bringing the ship back to life was the Worth Public Library on April 15 with a program called, The Haunted Titanic, with local historian Bob Trzeciak, who walked patrons through the history, the lasting impact, and why it…

Bridgeview Trustee Gary Lewis urges residents to get rid of clutter on the May 11 spring cleanup day. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Spring cleanup day in Bridgeview set for Saturday

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Any Bridgeview resident with clutter to clear will be busy Friday night, May 10. That’s when they will be putting all kinds of things on the parkway as the village prepares for its annual spring cleanup day set for Saturday, May 11. All items must be at the curb by…

Sisto Brito

Family of man killed in McCook struggling with his absence

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch On what would have been his 37th birthday, the family of Morales Ricardo Lopez gathered at his grave in Evergreen Park Cemetery. Lopez, of Blue Island, was gunned down in McCook early Feb. 17, leaving behind a widow and three children. His family, other relatives and friends gathered at his…

Helen Welch will perform songs from “The American Song Book” this weekend at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. (Supplied photo)

Southwest Symphony presents ‘American Song Book’

Spread the love

Spread the loveFrom staff reports Southwest Symphony Orchestra will perform “The American Song Book” this weekend at Trinity College in Palos Heights. The performance will feature Grammy nominated Helen Welch under the direction of David Crane at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Auditorium. Welch will perform some of America’s best loved classics.…

Herbs, planters and a variety of flowers were popular items at Dotson's Farm during the first Evergreen Park Farmers Market on May 2. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Shoppers welcome back Evergreen Park Farmers Market

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Rain was forecast for the morning of May 2, but nothing could dampen the spirits of customers who dropped by the Evergreen Park Farmers Market. The large crowd that attended were instead greeted with mostly sunny skies. Beth Novotney, director of the Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services that oversees…

evergreen park logo

Evergreen Park recognizes police for valor

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Evergreen Park police have been cited for valor after several key arrests that occurred the past couple of months. Police Chief Michael Saunders requested commendations for the officers during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night. Mayor Kelly Burke and the board applauded the efforts of the force.…

John Balzhiser pins a police badge onto his son, Daniel’s, uniform in Hickory Hills. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Hickory Hills police bid adieu and say welcome

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam The Hickory Hills Police Department bid a fond farewell to Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra and welcomed new Officer Daniel Balzhiser. On a memorable Thursday evening, April 25, city hall was filled with the warmth of community family, friends, officers, and council members, all gathered to joyfully celebrate Officer Balzhiser and respectfully…

South Side community partners invested in female athletics at the high school, 3737 W. 99th St., Chicago, through the design, implementation and unveiling of lights and a scoreboard on the school's state of the art turf field with an event called, “Light Up the Field” on April 30. (Supplied photo)

Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…

The Village of Palos Park hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on May 5. (Photos by Kelly White)

Cicadas in the park in Palos Park

Spread the love

Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…