JOSEPH C. BURDA

Joseph C. Burda, age 81, passed away March 28.

Loving father of Amy Burda and Joseph Burda; dearest grandfather of Ryan Wenk and Lillianah Burda; cherished son of the late Mary (nee Breyer) and the late Joseph M. Burda; dear brother of Joan (Dan) Gale and Anna Hovey. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 2 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

DWIGHT RICHARD EKSTROM

Dwight Richard Ekstrom, 49, passed away suddenly on April 12. Formerly of Chicago Heights, he was a resident of Chicago.

He was the beloved husband and best friend to Jean (nee Rachey) Ekstrom. Devoted son of Allan and Rosalinda (nee Torres) Ekstrom; loving brother of Drina Ekstrom and Rodney Ekstrom; devoted uncle to Jose Antonio and Tatiana Chopitea, Alexander, Samantha, and Daniel Ekstrom; dearest nephew to many aunts and uncles; dear brother-in-law to John (John Franklin) Rachey and Maryanne Rachey.

Family and friends will gather for visitation Saturday, April 27, from 3-8 p.m. with a funeral service at 7 p.m. at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills. Interment private.

Arrangements entrusted to Heinen & Loschetter Funeral Service, Lisa M. DeAngelis, Director.

For information or to express your condolences, visit www.heinenandloschetterfs.com or call 708-425-4050.

JAN KAMINSKI

Jan Kaminski, age 76, passed away April 2.

Beloved companion and partner of Jane Fronek; loving father of Joanna Licwinko, Henry Kaminski, Walter Fronek, Yvonne Serafin (Gregory) and Barbara Cooper (Adam); dear grandfather of Ada Licwinko, Malgorzata Licwinko, Christopher (Elvia) Licwinko, Sara Staszel, Brandon Serafin, Jake Serafin, Max Serafin, Westin Serafin, Zachary Cooper, Dylan Cooper, Masyn Cooper and Arielle Cooper. Dearest great-grandfather of Grace Tokarz, Mila Romanowski and Stella Romanowski; cherished son of the late Zofia (nee Wrobel) and the late Antoni Kaminski. Also survived by many relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 5 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 6, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Our Lady Mother of the Church Polish Mission, 116 Hilton Street, Willow Springs for Mass. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

IRENA KRUK

Irena Kruk (nee Kmiec), age 85, passed away March 31.

Beloved wife of the late Tadeusz Gliwa and the late John Kruk; loving mother of Alicja (Peter) Dobrzyniecki and the late Martin Gliwa; dearest grandmother of Luke Dobrzyniecki and the late Phillip Dobrzyniecki; cherished daughter of the late Salomea (nee Kielbasa) and the late Adam Kmiec; dear sister of Danuta Ostrowski and Mieczyslaw Kmiec. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 4, 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.

WILLARD LIVERMORE, III

Willard Livermore, III, age 89, passed away April 3.

Preceded in death by his wife, Annette M., and by his sons Michael and Anthony. He is survived by his daughter Deborah (Anthony) Adreani, granddaughter Toni (Chris) French, Caleb (Ingrid), Anthony, Nicholas, Vincent, and Joseph (Kelly), and nephews James Kroc, David Kroc, David Livermore, Jr., Brian Livermore (Lisa), Joseph Livermore, and niece Michelle Kolvitz (Brian).

He had a close friendship with former Partner Mary Duh, and her daughters Mary Ellen and Susan, and sons Joseph Duh (Dawn) and Michael. He enjoyed the many hours spent playing games, watching TV, and talking, especially with her grandchildren CJ (deceased) and Crystal.

Willard was born in Chicago, the oldest son of Willard and Estelle. He was known to most as Buddy, because he was fondly greeted daily by his father, “How’s my little Buddy?” The nickname stuck. He started working at age 15, delivering ice blocks and coal, moving furniture, and collecting articles for resale with his “Uncle” to help his parents, and later for his father-in-law, once he got married, and was also a cab driver on the streets of Cicero, IL. His adult career was mainly at Chippewa Paper Company, where he became a factory manager. When he retired he worked at Falco’s Pizza.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He fished, hunted, and camped with family and friends. He enjoyed many years net fishing, on Lake Michigan, for smelt on the rocks of 12th Street Beach, and took his family on trips to Florida, Wisconsin, and Canada; always incorporating fishing into family vacations. He enjoyed scouting as a family affair as well, taking the whole family to Owasippe Scout Reservation in Michigan to enjoy many fun activities with his sons and other scouts and leaders, and became a Boy Scout Leader as well. He met many wonderful friends through scouting.

Visitation was held April 7 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 8, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Patricia Church, 9040 S. 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

CHRISTOS “CHRIS” MALLIOS 

Christos “Chris” Mallios, age 76, passed away March 29.

He was the beloved husband of Rebecca Mallios; loving father of Nick Mallios, Jim Mallios and Jenelle (Yianni) Gialousakis; dear grandfather of Peter Gialousakis; cherished son of the late Nickos and Ioanna Mallios; fond brother of the late George (Tasia) Mallios, the late Demetrios (Kyriaki) Mallios and Konstantina (Nickos) Koutroubis. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was the proud owner of T&G Gyros in Blue Island for 42 years. May God grant Chris rest amongst the saints and his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 7560 S. Archer Road, Justice, Illinois are appreciated. Visitation was held April 3 with a Trisagion Prayer at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. There will also be a visitation April 4 at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 7560 S. Archer Road, Justice, followed by the Funeral Service. Interment, Bethania Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

KRONGCHIT NIVASNANDA

Krongchit Nivasnanda, age 60, passed away March 17.

Beloved wife of John Nivasnanda and loving mother. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and close friends.

Funeral was held March 23 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. For more information, 708-496-020 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

MICHAEL JAMES O’KEEFE

Michael James O’Keefe, age 78, of Burbank, passed away March 27 surrounded by loving family members.

He was a proud father, a loving grandfather, an automotive enthusiast, and a master of trades. Michael is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Tepper) O’Keefe, of 38 years. He is the loving father of Dennis (Cheryl) Sutkowski, Corey (Justin) Jenicek, and Timothy (Amanda) O’Keefe; the dear grandfather of Morgan, Quinn, and Lincoln Jenicek, and Ava, Brayden, and Logan O’Keefe; the cherished son of the late Joseph and the late Hazel O’Keefe. Dearest brother of the late Lawrence (the late Marion) O’Keefe, the late Ann (the late Henry) Nieminski, the late Mary (the late Vincent) Pongetti, the late Catherine (the late Robert) McGowan, the late Joseph (the late Theresa) O’Keefe, and the late Patrick O’Keefe.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wright Way Animal Rescue in Morton Grove, IL or Always and Furever Animal Sanctuary in Spring Hill, Kansas. Please see the link at the end of the obituary page under Memorial Contributions.

Visitation was held April 4 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 5, 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.

CARLOS “CHARLIE” A. RYL-KUCHAR

Carlos “Charlie” A. Ryl-Kuchar loving husband of Carol Graefen and the late Rose Maryt (nee Stanek); dearest father of Charles W. Ryl-Kuchar and Christina (Patrick) Healy, Jeff Graefen and Joe Graefen; proud grandfather of Austin (Lauren) Healy , Nicholas Healy and Aiden Healy; dear brother of Henry (Sue) Ryl-Kuchar, Gus (Char) Ryl-Kuchar, Ed (Rose) Ryl-Kuchar and Oscar (Norma) Ryl-Kuchar and the late William (June) Ryl-Kuchar. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held April 17 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Family and friends met April 18 at New Life Lutheran Church, 249 N. Bolingbrook Drive, Bolingbrook for a Celebration of Life Service with Rev. Rakal Evanson officiating. After the Service, everyone gathered for a luncheon in honor of Carlos “Charlie” at the church. Following the luncheon, family and friends met at Resurrection Cemetery for a procession to Carlos’ grave where he was laid to rest.

MARIAN SZYMALA

Marian Szymala, age 54, passed away March 26.

Beloved husband of Boguslawa Szymala; loving dad of Conrad Szymala and Natalia Szymala; treasured grandpa of Gianna; cherished son of Emilia (nee Polaczek) and the late Wendelin Szymala; dear brother of Bozena Milewicz and Maria (Tadeusz) Pilch. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held April 1 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held April 3, Visitation was held at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice with 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.kamisnkifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

BARBARA J. TEJEDA

Barbara J. Tejeda (nee Rasinskas), age 65 passed away peacefully April 1.

She is survived by her loving husband Jorge, her sons Mason and Benjamin Coriell.  She also leaves behind stepchildren Ciera and Ryan Tejeda, sister Patt Jett, cousins Kathleen and James Dowling, Kenneth Rocus and Geraldine Anzilotti, niece Sarah Shaw Cann, and our Lanciotti cousins from California.  She graduated from Hubbard High School 1976.  She is remembered for her loving nature and always making everyone feel welcome and at home.  We will miss you very much, Barbara.  Rest peacefully.

GINEVIVE MARIA LUISA VILLALOBOS

We celebrate the life of Ginevive Villalobos, age 62, Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, who passed away April 15 surrounded by her loving family.

Ginevive was a bilingual preschool teacher for 33 years for Chicago Public Schools before her retirement in 2022. Ginevive’s passion was teaching. She was a dedicated advocate for young children and their families. She believed that investing in education was the key to successful communities. She loved to travel, enjoyed a night at the movies or going out to dinner and relished spending time with her family. Her life was full of unexpected turns, but she happily handled it all her way. Ginevive was the loving and devoted wife for 35 years to Cuauhtemoc Villalobos; proud mother of Alejandra Villalobos (Ryan Thompson) and Ruben Villalobos; dear sister of Enrique (Magda) Solorzano, Alejandro (Esther) Solorzano and the late Maria Eva Solorzano and late Guadalupe. Fond aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held April 21 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held April 22 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet Church for mass. Per her request, Ginevive will be cremated. She will always be a ray of sunshine in our lives and an example of a beautiful person. The world is a better place because of her.