Obituaries January 4, 2024
HELENA BZDYK
Helena Bzdyk (nee Rzadkosz), age 75, passed away December 21.
Beloved wife of the late Wladyslaw Bzdyk; loving mother of Mieczyslaw (Renata) Bzdyk and the late Danuta (Stanislaw) Kulasik; dear grandmother of Krzysztof Bzdyk, Tomasz Bzdyk, Anna Bzdyk, Jakub Kulasik, Joanna Kulasik and Sylwia Kulasik; cherished daughter of the late Ludwina (nee Zarycka) and the late Franciszek Rzadkosz; fond sister of Zofia (Jan) Kracik, Maria (the late Franciszek) Wyrostek and the late Bronislaw (Antonina) Rzadkosz; dearest godmother of Jan Wyrostek and Ewa Kracik. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Member of the Kolo #27 Witow and Kolo #68 Gliczarow of the ZPPA.
Visitation was held December 26 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 27, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton Street, Willow Springs for Mass. Interment, Cmentarz Parafialny, Witow, Poland.
MARIA L. DIAZ
Maria L. Diaz, age 83, passed away December 16.
Beloved wife of Ladislao Diaz; loving mother of Lilia (Elio) Vasquez, Jose Luis (Alma) Diaz, Rigoberto (Norma) Diaz, Antonio (Margarita) Diaz, Gerardo Diaz, Maria Esther (Nico) Sanchez and Ladislao Jr. (Claudia) Diaz; dear grandmother of Beto Vasquez, Elio Jr. (Karina) Vasquez, Vanessa Vasquez, Andy Vasquez, Laura Diaz, Jose Jr. (Mayra) Diaz, Eric Diaz, Jordy Diaz, Antonio Jr. (Stephanie) Diaz, Tatiana (Gilberto) Hernandez, Jonathan Sanchez, Alexis Sanchez, Zayra Sanchez, Nicholas Diaz and Natalie Diaz; dearest great-grandmother of 9; cherished daughter of the late Victoria Magaña Zavala and the late Abundio Zavala; fond sister of Rosendo, the late Evelia, Ricardo, the late Aurora, Antonio and Velvet. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 27 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 28, Prayers from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish – Saint Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
SHIRLEY M. EALEY
Shirley M. Ealey, of Romeoville, formerly of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away December 23.
She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond; loving mother of Cheryl (Joseph) Smaciarz, Karen (Ted) Kruczek, Brian (Debra) Ealey, and the late Dennis (Karen) Ealey, late Patrick (Kimberly) Ealey and the late Kevin Ealey. Shirley will be dearly missed by her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters and their spouses, Fred Dobier, Jack and Clara Dobier, Bill and Irene Dobier, Jean and George Thomas and sister-in-law, Dorothy Murphy. A devoted member of the former St. Joseph Church in Summit, Shirley was a communion server for mass. She also was a member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus #1642 and a member and past president of Alhambra Al Arabi Caravan of Chicago, and loyal Cubs fan.
Visitation was held December 30 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). A service in celebration of Shirley’s life was held. Per her request, Shirley will be cremated and buried next to her husband at Mt. Carmel Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Shirley to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.
ARDELLE M. GARCIA
Ardelle M. Garcia (nee Murnane), age 75, passed away December 22.
Beloved wife of the late Jose Garcia, loving mom of Rafael (Rosa) Garcia, Jose (Missy) Garcia and Angela Garcia; loving grandma of Mariana, Sara and Leo; cherished daughter of the late Irene (nee Roe) and the late Leo Murnane; dear sister of Lee Anne (Allen) Friedrich. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 28 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 29, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Patricia Church, 9040 S. 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills for Mass. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip.
KAZIMIERZ KREZELOK
Kazimierz Krezelok, age 65, passed away December 17.
Loving father of Karolina and Andrzej; dear grandfather of one; cherished son of the late Maria (nee Rucka) and the late Antoni Krezelok; dearest brother of Urszula (Andrzej) Purzynski; fond uncle of Przemyslaw Purzynski. Also survived relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 20 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 21, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Blase Church (Blessed Martyrs of Chimbote Parish), 6101 S. 75th Avenue, Summit. Interment, Cmentarz Parafialny, Koniakow, Poland.
MARIA B. MONTENEGRO
Maria B. Montenegro, age 89, a very kind-hearted soul passed away December 19.
She was the beloved wife of the late Jose Ramon Montenegro; loving mother of David Montenegro, Helen Montenegro-Antunez, Ramon J. Montenegro, and Antonio Montenegro; caring mother-in-law of Andres Antunez, Patricia A. Montenegro (Former), Gabrielle Montenegro, and Michele L. Carmona; cherished grandmother of Ramon Niko Montenegro, Monica A. Antunez, and Pablo Andres Antunez. Dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Adored godmother of many godchildren. Maria will be dearly missed by her many family members, friends and neighbors. She was passionate about her 30-year career in baking. As an excellent baker and cook she leaves wonderful memories to everyone who had the great fortune of enjoying her many delicious meals and sweets.
Visitation was held December 29 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held December 30 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church for a Mass of Catholic Burial. Maria was laid to rest next to her beloved husband at St. Casimir Cemetery.
DENISE DESPINA SINADINOS
Denise Despina Sinadinos (nee Topaloglou), age 71, passed away December 16.
Daughter of the late Athanasios and Eleni Topaloglou; loving and devoted mother to Peter and Tom Sinadinos; a dear friend to ex-husband Paul Sinadinos; loving and devoted grandmother of Denise, Miranda, Angelo, Alex and Athena; dear sister of Antonios (Vicky) Topalidis, Barbara (Richard) Van Etten, Elli (the late Makis) Kasapidis, the late Artemios (the late Pashalina) Topalidis; loving aunt of Teddy (Eleni), Kiki (Nick), Tommy (Hayley), Dimitri (Tina), Tasos (Ali), Phyllis (Charlie) loanna (Panagiotis), Sakis (loanna), Niko (Stella) and Roula; fond great aunt of George, Evi, Barbara, Anna, Harry, Maria, George, Elsa, Lambros (Zina), Panagiotis, Mamas, Artemis.
Denise was born in Giannitsa Greece and was “The Rock” of the family. Denise came to the US at age 18 and shortly after, brought most of her family from Greece to US. Denise was the most loving, caring, compassionate, fair, forgiving, and supportive person. She was very strong, always smiling, had a wonderful personality and was loved by everyone. Denise devoted her time to love and support her entire family. She was dedicated to her career as a realtor. Denise will be greatly missed by so many family, and close friends here and in Greece.
Visitation was held December 21 at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 7560 S. Archer Road, Justice. Funeral was held December 21, Service at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 7560 S. Archer Road, Justice. Interment, Bethania Cemetery, Justice.
ZOFIA SKOBEL
Zofia Skobel (nee Ustupska), age 44, passed away December 22.
Loving mother of her son, Hubert; cherished daughter of Bronislawa; dearest sister of Anna and Maria; beloved life partner of Artur; fond sister-in-law of Maciej. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 29 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 29, Service and time of remembrance were held at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded. Interment, Poland.
DAMIAN SMIECH
Damian L. Smiech, age 34, passed away December 17.
Cherished son of Bogdan and the late Anna (nee Kas) Smiech; loving brother of Patrick Smiech; dear grandson of Joanna and the late Stanislaw Kas and the late Irena and the late Kazimierz Smiech. Lovingly survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 22 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 22, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
DAWN MARIE TORTORELLI
Dawn Marie Tortorelli, of Orland Park, passed away peacefully at her home on January 1, 2024, at the age of 58.
She is survived by her life partner Scott Van Etten, her sister Donna Tortorelli, brother Bill (Carol) Tortorelli, and she was a dear cousin of many. Dawn was predeceased by her loving parents, Marlene, nee Kopp, and William Tortorelli Sr.
It was Dawn’s wishes not to have any public funeral services, however, there will be a memorial luncheon at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations to ASPCA (www.aspca.org), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), or to your favorite charity in Dawn’s memory would be appreciated.
Arrangements entrusted to the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood.
JANINA WILSON
Janina Wilson (nee Kirejczyk), age 82, passed away December 21.
Beloved wife of the late Lawrence Wilson; loving mother of Krzysztof (Slawomira) Ryzewski, Tomasz (Elzbieta) Ryzewski and Anna (Jozef) Szarejko; dear grandmother of Katarzyna, the late Malgorzata, David, Thomas, Justyna, Ewa, Martyna, Joanna, Pawel, Monika, Magdalena and Paulina; cherished daughter of the late Anna (nee Misarko) and the late Jozef Kierejko; fond sister of Danuta Marcinkiewicz, Jozef Kirejczyk, Jadwiga Kirejczyk, the late Stanislawa Harasiuk, the late Eugenia Sienkiewicz, the late Romualda Mroczek and the late Helena Prytulo. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 26 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 27, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Fabian Church, 7450 W. 83rd Street, Bridgeview for Mass. Cremation rites to be accorded. Interment, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood.
RENATA ZYCH
Renata Zych (nee Hornik), age 44, passed away December 17.
Beloved wife of Andrzej Zych; treasured mom of Emilia Zych and Zuzanna Zych; cherished daugher of Krystyna (nee Furczon) and the late Wladyslaw Hornik; loving sister of Slawomir (Magdalena) Hornik; dearest aunt of Jacob Hornik and Anthony Hornik. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives in both USA and Poland and friends.
Visitation was held December 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 20, 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.
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