The Rev. David B. Krolczyk, former pastor of St. James Parish in Sauk Village, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. He was 78.
Krolczyk was born Oct. 25, 1946, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
He was ordained May 10, 1972, by Cardinal John Cody and celebrated his first solemn Mass three days later at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Chicago.
Krolczyk first served as assistant pastor of Our Lady of the Mount Parish in Cicero. He later served as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Melrose Park, St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish in Cicero, and St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland.
In 1988, he was named pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish in Posen, where he served until 2002. He then became pastor of St. James Parish, leading the Sauk Village faith community until his retirement in 2021. In retirement, he celebrated Masses at St. Joseph Church in Dyer, Ind., and St. Liborius Parish in Steger, Ill.
Msgr. Patrick J. Pollard, a retired archdiocesan priest and classmate, recalled seeing Krolczyk in May at a celebration of their 53 years of priesthood. “The last time I saw him was on May 10 when we celebrated our 53 years of priesthood at St. Gianna Parish,” Pollard said. “He had a cane, and I asked him what the cane was for. He replied, ‘It makes me look distinguished!’ He always had a good sense of humor.”
Pollard said Krolczyk guided St. James Parish through the Renew My Church process. “People in Sauk Village remember him fondly,” he said.
“He was a very good priest,” said the Rev. John W. Clemens, also a retired archdiocesan priest. Clemens described his classmate as “very faithful, dedicated and very loyal to his people.”
Funeral services will be held at St. Liborius Church, 71 W. 35th St. in Steger, in the Diocese of Joliet. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22.
The funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Arturo J. Pérez-Rodríguez, retired archdiocesan priest, will be the main celebrant. The Rev. Greg Skowron, former pastor of St. Liborius and a priest of the Diocese of Joliet, will deliver the homily.
Interment will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice, Ill.