Obituaries for Dec. 23, 2021
MARY L. HANNA
Mary L. Hanna, 63, died at Loyola Medical Center on December 8, 2021.
She was born May 8, 1958, in Ashtabula, Ohio, to the late Albert J. Hanna Jr. and Myrtle A. (Grubb) Hanna. She grew up in Ohio and spent the last 32 years in the Chicago area.
Mary was a 1976 graduate of Perry High School. She retired from Mars/M&M in Chicago.
She leaves behind her treasured brother and best friend, Albert James Hanna III of Concord.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, Jennifer Jackson.
CZESLAW KACZMARCZYK
Czeslaw Kaczmarczyk, age 84, passed away December 8.
Beloved husband of Maria (nee Plewa) Kaczmarczyk; loving father of Zbigniew (Edyta) Kaczmarczyk, Zofia (Maciej) Szczerba and Maciej (Monika) Kaczmarczyk; dear grandfather of Szczepan, Agnieszka, Kuba, Kasia, Piotrus, David and Isabella; dearest great-grandfather of Krzysiu, Wojtus and Karolinka; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Mietus) and the late Jan Kaczmarczyk; fond brother of the late Maria (Czeslaw) Mietus, Kazimierz (Zdzislawa) Kaczmarczyk, the late Andrzej (Stanislawa) Kaczmarczyk and the late Stanislawa Kaczmarczyk. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 12 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 13, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Turibius Church, 5646 S. Karlov Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
DONNA KUCHARSKI
Donna Kucharski (nee Bujak), age 63, passed away December 9.
Beloved wife of Zbigniew Kucharski; loving mother of Nina (Roman) Lys and Sonia Kucharski; dearest grandmother of Adrian and Damian; cherished daughter of Anna (nee Cyrwus) and the late Wladyslaw Bujak; dear sister of Adam (Malgorzata) Bujak; fond aunt of Olivia and Natalie. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 16 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 17, prayers and procession from the funeral home to SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, 608 Sobieski Street, Lemont, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
CELESTINO LAZARO
Celestino Lazaro, age 55, passed away December 7.
Will be forever missed by his beloved family and friends.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave. Chicago, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Gall Church, Chicago. Final resting place is St Mary’s Cemetery, Evergreen Park. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIl.com.
THOMAS McCAFFREY
Thomas J. “T.J.” McCaffrey, 80, late of Orland Park, died December 10.
He was the husband of Madelyn “Pinkie” Crawford (née Fanning); stepfather of Megan Crawford; grandfather of Joe and Liam Barcelona; brother of John “Bumpy” (late Elaine) McCaffrey and the late Kate McCaffrey; brother-in-law of Madonna “Sandy” (late Kirti) Dugar, John “Shane” (Cathy) Fanning, Mignone “Bootsie” (Jim) Nevinger, Monique “Nicki” (John) Behr, Martine “Mardi” Fanning, and the late Michele “Mike” Fanning (Pierre); uncle of many nieces and nephews.
T.J. was a retired Stationary Engineer from Local 399 with many years of dedicated service.
A Memorial Visitation and Service will be held on December 28 at Thornridge Funeral Home in Orland Park. Interment will be private.
Arrangements entrusted to (Janusz Family Funeral Service).
EDWARD R. McCAMBRIDGE
Edward R. McCambridge died peacefully in his home on December 2. Air Force veteran.
A devoted, cherished husband to his wife Christine (Mondlak); loving father to his sons Michael (Angie), Charles, the late James (Diana), beloved brother to the late Thomas, the late Janice (Kabbe) and the late Sandra, son of the late Charles and the late Clara (Elliott). Ed was a retired member of SMWIA Local 73, sheet metal workers, and member of John Olson Post #18 American Legion. A dedicated veteran he went to Springfield with his senator to present a bill enforcing voting privileges in all veterans’ facilities. The bill passed. Ed was also a member of the Mayslake Council Knights of Columbus.
Funeral arrangements were held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave. Chicago, IL 60638. Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Chapel Service was held at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Final resting place is Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
DOROTHY ANN McKEE
Dorothy Ann McKee, age 81, passed away December 3.
Beloved wife, mother and grandmother who will be forever missed.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632. Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Final resting place is St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Evergreen Pk. To leave any tributes please visit funeral home website at wwwSzykownyFuneralHomeIl.com.
GERALD “JERRY” D. NERONSKY
Gerald “Jerry” D. Neronsky, age 70, passed away December 6.
Beloved husband of Cindy (nee Karczewski) Neronsky; loving father of Jerry Neronsky and Christine (Dino) Boldrini; dear grandpa of Jeralyn Neronsky and Tori Leeper; deeply admired by his grand-dog, Sparks; cherished son of the late Helen (nee Ciszek) and the late Arsenty Neronsky; fond brother of the late Ronald Neronsky; dearest son-in-law of Phyllis Karczewski and late Leonard Karczewski; fun-loving brother-in-law of the late Linda (Bob) Jahnke and Nancy (Ted) Sell. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Jerry married his high school sweetheart. He was a hard worker and devoted his life to his family by working as an automotive mechanic.
Visitation was held December 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a service and time of remembrance held at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
STANISLAWA PAPCIAK
Stanislawa Papciak (nee Pogorzelska), age 92, passed away December 11.
Beloved wife of the late Edward Papciak; loving mother of Teresa (Jozef) Niezgoda, Krystyna (Stanislaw) Olszewski and the late Stanislaw (Maria) Papciak; dear grandmother of Boguslawa Niezgoda, Wieslaw (Ewelina) Niezgoda, Marek Niezgoda, Piotr Olszewski, Leszek (Kinga) Olszewski, Iwona (Stanislaw) Bochniak, Anna (Wojciech) Worek, Malgorzata (Michal) Wilk, Elzbieta Papciak, Monika (Pawel) Ziecina and Magdalena Papciak; dearest great-grandmother of Justyna, Patrycja, Katarzyna, David, Natalia, Julia, Sebastian, Jakub, Max, Mia, Melania, Adam, Adrian, Amelia, Aleksandra, Jacob and Jackson; cherished daughter of the late Maria (nee Bachorz) and the late Jozef Pogorzelski; fond sister of Jan (Adela) Pogorzelski, the late Helena (Jozef) Zawilinski and the late Jozefa (the late Jozef) Gardula. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 15 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 16, 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.
STELLA M. RAK
Stella M. Rak, age 90, longtime resident of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community passed away December 8.
She was the beloved wife of the late John Sr.; loving mother of Allen (Susan) Rak, Glen (Suzy) Rak, John Jr. Retired C.P.D. (Tina) Rak, Ann (Kevin) Markmann, Michael (Sharon) Rak and the late Barbara Rak; cherished grandmother of Heather Kochan, Matthew Rak, Patrick Markmann, David Rak and Catherine Rak; great grandmother of Ruby and Layla; dear sister of Helen (Tom) Fleming. Stella was preceded in death by her other siblings, Mildred, Margaret, Kathryn, Martha, Pete, Lewis, Nick, Steve and Walter. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and their children. Stella retired as a dedicated employee of World’s Finest Chocolate.
Visitation was held December 12 at Foran Funeral, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west Harlem Ave.) Visitation was held December 13 at the funeral home until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Stella’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
ANGEL L. RODRIGUEZ
Angel L. Rodriguez, age 52, passed away November 26.
Loving father of Lisandra (Deavonte) Slayden; dear grandfather of Jayden and Deandre; cherished son of Angel and Luz Rodriguez; dear brother of Blanca (Jose) Lopez, David Rodriguez, and Jose Rodriguez.
Visitation was held December 11 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 South 88th Avenue, Justice, with a service and time of remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment Resurrection Cemetery Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
ELZBIETA SIUTA
Elzbieta Siuta (nee Mrozek), age 65, passed away December 10.
Beloved wife of the late Jozef Siuta; loving mother of Wieslaw (Malgorzata) Siuta, Mariusz Siuta, Edyta (Dariusz) and Jozef (Halina) Siuta; dear grandmother of Ewelina, Christian, Natalia, Patrycja, Jozef, Emilia and Julia; dearest great-grandmother of Mia; cherished daughter of Zofia (nee Bula) and the late Edward Mrozek. Also survived by many relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 17 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 18, prayers and procession from the funeral home to Sacred Heart Church, 8245 W. 111th Street, Palos Hills for Mass. Interment, Cmentarz Parafialny, Ludzmierz, Poland. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
MARIA SKUPIEN
Maria Skupien (nee Strama), age 60, passed away December 10.
Loving mother of Mateusz Skupien; dear sister of Anna Lassak; cherished daughter of the late Helena (nee Staszel) and the late Jozef Strama; fond aunt of Angelina Lassak and Monika Lassak. Also survived by aunts and cousins in Poland.
Visitation was held December 12 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 South 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held December 13, prayers and procession from the funeral home to St. Albert the Great Church, 8029 S. Central Avenue, Burbank for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
ALBERT L. SMAJDA
Albert L. Smajda, age 91, passed away December 6.
Beloved husband of the late Dorothy (nee Moravec) Smajda; loving father of Denise (Joseph) Davis, Maria Sawisch and Ronald (June) Smajda; dear grandfather of 6; dearest great-grandfather of many. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held December 11 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, with a service and time of remembrance held at the funeral home. Cremation rites to be accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
PHYLLIS T. STEPHENS
Phyllis T. Stephens, age 83, of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away December 16.
Beloved wife of the late John; loving mother of Anna (Louis Retired C.P.D.) Vittori, Lisa (Bob) Pannell, the late Thomas (Dee) Stephens and the late John, late Lawrence Stephens; proud grandmother of John, Christopher, Tom Stephens, Louis (Samantha) Vittori, Lauren Vittori, Samantha (Ryan) Miller, Daniel Stephens and Joshua Pannell; cherished great grandmother of Anthony, Zachary, Jacob, Gabriel, Liam, Audrey, Vincenzo and Oscar; dear sister of Marilyn (Evans) Diedrich and the late Fred Nichols. Phyllis will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and friends. Before her retirement, she was a devoted employee of Misericordia for over 11 years.
Visitation was held December 20. Procession from the funeral home to Evergreen Cemetery where Phyllis was laid to rest next to her husband. Condolences may be sent to Phyllis’ family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
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Neighbors
OLHMS educator nominated for Women Changing the World Award
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Heather McCarthy is constantly inspiring her students at Oak Lawn-Hometown to be everything they can be. As a woman and an educator, she believes all goals are obtainable. It was no surprise to her staff members or students at OLHMS, 5345 W. 99th Place in Oak Lawn, that McCarthy, of…
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Spread the lovePalos South Middle School’s eighth-grade boys’ basketball team finished second in the post season Southwest Interscholastic Conference in March. The Cardinals completed the season with a 13-3 record and finished first in the North Division. During the championship game, the team lost 55-52 to undefeated Century Junior High following a last second 3-point…
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