Obituaries November 9, 2023
EDWARD FRANK ANDJULIS
Edward Frank Andjulis, long time resident of Summit, late of Bolingbrook, passed away October 31. Proud Air Force Veteran.
He was the beloved husband of the late June Andjulis; loving father of Edward (Gail) and cherished grandfather of Bailey and Emley; fond brother of Larry (Kathy) Andjulis and the late Patricia (late Roger) Frahm; uncle of many nieces and nephews. Devoted Member of Musichorale.
Visitation was held November 2 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) with Military Honors and a Service in Celebration of Edward’s Life. Edward will be buried next to his wife in a private service at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Edward’s honor to the American Cancer Society.
HENRY BRUNO ANTONAITIS
Henry Bruno Antonaitis, 62, of Palos Heights, passed away on October 28, 2023.
He was the loving son of the late Stasys and Christa nee Wagner Antonaitis, beloved brother of Dorothea (Bruce) Nawara, Regina (Michael) Merda, Sophia (Jeff) Gale, his late twin brother, Tony, dearest uncle of Stephen, Douglas, Adam (Danielle), Nicholas (Lani), Alex (Amber), Garrett (Leah), Weston (Mara), Margaret and great uncle of Caleb, Alexandra, Olivia, Matilda and William.
Henry grew up in Brighton Park.
He was a CPA and eventually was transferred to live in Paris, France, for a few years, which became a lifetime of experience for him.
Henry was a very private person but if you got into a philosophical conversation, it would continue all through the night.
He was witty and insightful.
Henry is forever in our hearts.
Service and Interment Private. Arrangements entrusted to Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills.
For information or to express your condolences, please visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410.
CARMEN LUZ GARCIA
We celebrate the life of Carmen Luz Garcia who passed away peacefully October 31, with her loving son, Santo Antonetti at her side.
She was the beloved wife of the late Richard Garcia; cherished daughter of Concepion and Lucia Hernandez; dear sister of Edwin and Gladys Hernandez and Edgar and Cynthia Hernandez. Carmen will be missed by her nephews and nieces.
Visitation was held November 3 until time of Prayers at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 West Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Procession from the funeral home to Our Lady of Snows Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. When Richard passed away he was cremated and Carmen kept his cremains with her so that both of them would be buried together at Queen of Heaven Cemetery when she died. Thus, we celebrate Carmen and Richard’s life together in eternity. May they both rest in eternal peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
JANICE TILLMAN KURLAND
Janice Tillman Kurland, 72, of Palos Heights, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
She was the beloved wife of Joseph G. Kurland for 54 years. Loving mother of Kristin (James) Grabowski, Kathryn (Todd) Lense, and Karen Kurland. Cherished grandmother of Michael, Anna, Owen, Ashley, and the late Madison.
Visitation was November 5 and funeral services were November 6 at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood. Entombment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.
For more information, call 708-824-9000 or visit www.becvarfuneralhome.com
SAMUEL RIVERA SR.
Samuel Rivera Sr. passed away October 28.
Beloved husband of Luz (nee Delgado); loving father of Ruth (Michael) Sipusich, Samuel Jr. (Cynthia) Rivera and Jorge Rivera; dearest grandfather of Samuel Michael Rivera, Brittany and Christian Rivera; dear brother of Juan Rivera.
Visitation was held October 31 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) with a Service in Celebration of Samuel’s life.
WLADYSLAW SPYRKA
Wladyslaw Spyrka, age 80, passed away October 17.
Beloved husband of Maria Spyrka (nee Lubinska); dearest father of Slawomir Spryka; cherished son of the late Helena (nee Kozina) and the late Stanislaw Spyrka; dear brother of Anna Klimkiewicz, Mieczylaw Spyrka, the late Zofia Molek, Janina Janecka and Kazimierz Spryka. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held October 21 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice with 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.
LUIS VELAZQUEZ
Luis Velazquez age 91, resident of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away October 28.
He was the beloved husband of the late Irene (nee Reyes); loving father of Louie (Bertha) Velazquez, Haydee (late Raymond) Pawlowski, Leticia (Edward) Mosquera and Antonio (Cristina) Velazquez; much loved grandfather of Michael, Mark (Sara), Jessica, Isabel, Nicholas and Victoria; great grandfather of Raymond Pawlowski and Klara Pawlowski; dear brother of Carmen and Eulalia. Luis was preceded in death by his other siblings, Eusebia, Rosario, Miguel, Ramon, Paula, Juan and Onesimo. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held November 6 until time of at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Procession from the funeral home to St. Faustina Kowalska Parish for Mass. Luis will be entombed at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
MARIA WISNIEWSKI
Maria Wisniewski (nee Rzadkowska), age 92, passed away October 30.
Beloved wife of the late Tadeusz; cherished mother of Anna (Andrzej) Krupa, Liz Wisniewski and Mari (David) Adams; proud grandmother of Victoria, Olivia and Ava. Maria was talented in many crafts and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. Gardening also gave her great joy.
Visitation was held November 1 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home November 2 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet for a mass of Christian Burial. Maria will be laid to rest next to her husband at Resurrection Cemetery.
Local News
Here’s the skinny: Trimmed-down Lawrence helps Oak Lawn top Evergreen
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Oak Lawn senior basketball player Davion Lawrence is 45 pounds lighter than he was last season, but insists his eating habits are the same. He has, however, changed up his training habits. Heading into football last fall, Lawrence and a few fellow seniors wanted to get in the…
College Report: McAuley grad Swiatek plays hero for St. Francis
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Swiatek comes off the bench for the University of St. Francis and is averaging 3.1 points per game. But when called on for the biggest shot of her college career, the 5-foot-8 junior guard from Oak Lawn delivered. Swiatek scored the winning basket in a wild 99-97…
Evans, Adams lead Argo past Shepard on Alumni Night
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Corrspondent Argo’s Davonte Evans and Will Adams both knew it was just a matter of time before the Argonauts would find a way to beat Shepard. That time came in the third quarter of a South Suburban Red matchup, when Argo outscored Shepard en rout to a 61-52 on Jan.…
Cruz booted from SD 229 school board in Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Dermot Connolly There is a vacancy on the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 School Board, after members voted 6-1 last week to remove Robert Cruz for allegedly violating his oath of office, school board policy and state statutes. Cruz, a property developer, was elected to the District 229 board in…
Tax exemptions will be automatic, Kaegi says
Spread the loveFrom staff reports In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s office will continue the automatic renewal of the Senior Freeze, Veterans with Disabilities and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions. The Homeowner and Senior Exemptions will continue to auto-renew every year. If a homeowner received any of these five exemptions…
Oak Lawn officials rip governor, legislators over crime
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Two Oak Lawn officials are calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker and local legislators to re-evaluate a police reform law that they say has resulted in a rise in crime. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro-tem during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday night in place of Mayor Terry Vorderer,…
Troop 1441 Scout earns Eagle rank
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A journey that began years ago for Adrian Ayala recently culminated in Boy Scouting’s highest honor. Ayala, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1441 (sponsored by the St. Mary Star of the Sea Holy Name Society) was honored at an Eagle ceremony at Duggan Hall on Jan. 13. The Eagle rank…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…
Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…
Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires
Spread the loveStarted his 50-year career as Orland Park cadet By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar officially announced his retirement from a nearly 50-year career at the June 18 Village Board meeting. Mayor Jack Lind made the announcement “with great regret,” joking that “he doesn’t have the age to retire but he…
Stagg tabs Allee Hernandez to guide girls hoops
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Allee Hernandez has accrued many years of basketball experience as a player and as an assistant coach. She will soon embark on a new experience as a head coach at Stagg, where she will be the Chargers first new head coach in 16 seasons. She succeeds Bill Turner, who…
Shepard’s yearbook wins national recognition
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School students have worked tirelessly to create a yearbook for this academic year that was nationally recognized. The high school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights, was chosen as a Yearbook Excellence Contest recipient from Walsworth Publishing Company, a family-owned printing company based out of Marceline, Missouri.…
Hickory Hills man charged in grandfather’s murder
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam A 32-year-old Hickory Hills man has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 21 death of his 90-year-old grandfather. Dean J. Faulk was charged on June 22 with the June 21 murder of Dean L. Faulk. Police said they responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. June 21 at…
Orland Park Public Library kicks off summer
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Summer is nearly here and the Orland Park Public Library is ready for it. On June 8, the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., hosted its second annual Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off event themed, Read, Renew, Repeat. “There are multiple interpretations to this theme,” Jackie Boyd, Communications Manager at the Orland…
llinois VFW names Porfirio Senator of the Year
Spread the loveIllinois Veterans of Foreign Wars recently selected state Senator Mike Porfirio as the Senator of the Year. “I’m deeply honored to receive this prestigious award from the Illinois VFW,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “I am committed to ensuring our veterans receive the protections, care and dignity they deserve. This recognition is a testament…