
Obituaries for Jan. 27, 2022
JUDITH CLAIRE BENNETT
Judith Claire Bennett “Judy”, age 76, of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away peacefully at home January 15.
She was the beloved daughter of the late Donald and late Claire Bennett; loving sister of Donald (Christine) Bennett, Ronald (Rita) Bennett and Gary (Brenda) Bennett; dear aunt of Michael, Gary, Carolyn and Kathleen.
Visitation was held January 19 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation at the funeral home was held January 20 until time of celebration of life service. Procession from the funeral home to Glen Oaks Cemetery where Judy was laid to rest next to her parents. Condolences may be sent to Judith’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
GABINO CARDENAS
Gabino Cardenas, age 67, of Chicago, McKinley Park community, passed away January 8.
He was the beloved father of Gabino Cardenas and loving grandfather of Erik Cardenas and Lynda Cardenas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabino and Juanita Gomez Cardenas. Dear brother of Salvador Cardenas, Columba Cardenas and Robert “Bob” Cardenas; much loved cousin of Maria Urena and Jose E. Urena; fond uncle of Saul Urena, Marco Urena, Elda Urena, Jose Urena and Rosalba Urena.
Visitation was held January 21 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 22 until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Holy Cross Church located at 1740 West 46th Street, Chicago. Condolences may be sent to Gabino’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
RONALD G. DUSEK
Ronald G. Dusek, age 64, of LaGrange Park, passed away suddenly January 15.
He was the loving husband of Janine (nee Pingatore); devoted father of Rachel; dear brother of Randy Dusek Sr., Robyn (Richard) Sparr and Alice Dusek; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Ronald will be dearly missed by his cousins and many friends.
Visitation was held January 20 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 21 at the funeral home until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet Church for Mass. Condolences may be sent to Ronald’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
GEORGE J. FENDOR
George J. Fendor, 88, longtime resident of Argo-Summit, lately of Palos Hills, passed away on January 19.
He was a proud graduate of St. Rita High School and University of Illinois College of Pharmacy. He began his pharmacy career in Argo-Summit.
Devoted son of the late George and Helen nee Randar; loving brother of Charles (Antoinia) Fedor, Elizabeth (Tim) Cromley and the late Joseph (Josephine) and Leo (the late Geraldine) Fedor; dear uncle many nieces and nephews; dearest friend to Paulette.
George loved Chicago sports and in his younger years travel.
Visitation was January 25 and funeral services were January 26 from the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills, to Sacred Heart Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
BETTY M. LABUDA
Betty M. Labuda, age 86, formerly of Chicago, Bridgeport community and settled in sunny Los Angeles, CA, passed January 3.
She was the loving daughter of the late Stephanie (nee Leftak) and late Raymond LaBuda; cherished sister of Margaret LaBuda, Kathleen (Lawrence) Dyjak and the late Raymond (Elaine) LaBuda; beloved friend of Eileen Kelly; dearest aunt of Eydie, Mike Boon, Steven LaBuda, Yvonne (Frank) Evans and Jennifer (Jeff) Lungren; loved by her great nieces and nephews Heather and Matthew Boon, Olivia, Lola, Ryan Evans, Reagan, Julia, Jack and Fiona Lungren.
Visitation was held January 19 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Mass at St. James at Sag Bridge. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
DIANE MARIE LAGA
Diane Marie Laga, age 72, of Chicago, passed away January 9.
Daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Majewski; beloved mother of Dawn (Michael) Kruczek and Melissa (Joseph) Kross; dear sister of Mary Lynn Manual; loving grandmother of Holly, Ashley, and Emily Kruczek. Diane is survived by her niece, Amanda Tomasek, nephew David Manual and her cousins, Jack (Joan) Steffek, Frank (Carolyn) Ondrey, Mary Ellen Woodward, Tom (Joann) Steffek, and Geralyn (Tom) Moran.
Visitation was held January 15 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem) until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish, St. Rene Goupil Church for Mass. Interment followed at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 7201 South Archer Road, Justice. Condolences may be sent to Diane’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
THERESA A. LONSKI
Theresa Alice Lonski (nee Sipiora), age 86, of Elk Grove Village, passed away January 17.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Anthony Richard “Rich” Lonski; her parents Andrew and Irene Sipiora (nee Burke); and brothers George, Thomas, Bernard, Jerome, Leonard and Joseph. Theresa is survived by her children Mary, Richard (Lisa), Anthony (Carol), Mark (Cynthia) Lonski and Kathleen (Brad) Hunt; grandchildren Andrew (Aimee), Angela, Justin (Cassidy), Matt (Megan), Ashley Lonski, Patrick (Amber) Middleton and William Middleton; great grandchildren Cassandra, Rozzi and Rowan Middleton and many dear sister in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 23 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held on January 24 at the funeral home until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Albert the Great Church for Mass. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations to Garden Center Services, 8333 South Austin, Burbank, IL. 60459 would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Theresa’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
ELVA D. MAHR
Elva D. Mahr “Evie” (nee Dvorak), age 84, of Burr Ridge, passed away January 8.
Beloved wife of Joseph P. Mahr; loving mother of Joseph (Cindy) Mahr and John (Kim Lero) Mahr; dearest grandmother of Kaitlin (Christopher) Williams, Heather Mahr, Jolie and Johnny Mahr; dear great grandmother of Joey and Violet; fond sister of Jean Wessel and the late Carol Broyles; sister-in-law of Arlene Kasenberg; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 15 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral Services followed. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. 708- 839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
REV. JOHN W. PARKER
Rev. John W. Parker, pastor emeritus of All Saints – St. Anthony Parish, passed away Jan. 15. He was 77 years old.
Parker was born on May 19, 1944, in Chicago. He attended St. David Catholic School, De LaSalle in Chicago, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Parker was ordained to the priesthood on May 13, 1970, by Cardinal John Cody, and celebrted his first solemn Mass on May 17 of the same year at St. David Catholic Church in Chicago.
Parker served the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant pastor at St. Odilo Parish in Berwyn and as associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish on Addison Street in Chicago and St. Bernadette Parish in Evergreen Park. Later, he became pastor at All Saints – St. Anthony Parish until 2014 when he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.
Rev. Ronald Mass, pastor emeritus of Incarnation Parish in Crestwood, remembered his classmate as a good priest. “He was very smart and had a great sense of humor,” said Mass. “He was a very dedicated priest, committed to his parishes.”
Visitation was Jan. 20 followed immediately by the funeral Mass. All funeral services were held at St. Gerald Parish in Oak Lawn.
Interment was at St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery.
MOHAMMAD ANWAR POTHIAWALA
Mohammad Anwar Pothiawala, age 77, passed away January 13.
Will be forever missed by beloved family and friends.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Funeral Mass was held at St Richard’s Church, Chicago. Final resting place is Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
PEARL I. SIMON
Pearl I. Simon, nee Dornhecker, of Palos Heights, passed away on January 19 at the age of 98 years.
She was the beloved wife of Raymond Simon; loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was January 21 at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood. Interment St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery Crestwood.
SARA SZUMSKI
Sara Szumski (nee Secrest), age 73, passed away January 8.
Beloved wife and best friend of 47 years to Kenneth Szumski; devoted mother of David (Sydney) Szumski and Kate (Fred) Kauffmann; loving grandma of Owen Ainsley, Olivia and Freddie; dear sister of Judi (Tom) Sanford.
Visitation was held January 17 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held January 18 from the funeral home to the church of St. Fabian for Mass. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 708-839-8999 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
MARIA GUADALUPE TOVAR
Maria Guadalupe Tovar, age 85, of Summit, passed away at home January 18.
She was the beloved wife of the late Gerardo Tovar; loving mother of Jose Luis Tovar, Maria Teresa (Gustavo) Amador, Jacqueline (Jose) Munoz, Francisco Tovar, Adrian (Veronica) Tovar, the late Alfredo Tovar, the late Bernabe (Maura) Tovar and the late Rodrigo Tovar; cherished grandmother of Andres (fiancée Deena), Angelica (Simon), Christina, Omar, Sean, Bevin and Gerardo; great grandmother of Gianni, Matteo, Michaela, Brianna, Jasmine and Mila. Guadalupe will be missed by her many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation was held January 20 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held at the funeral home January 2 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Blasé Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Maria was laid to rest next to her son and husband at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to Maria Guadalupe’s family on her personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com.
JOAN C. ZALIG
Joan C. Zalig (nee Jesulaitis), age 86, of Brookfield, passed away January 12.
Beloved wife of William Zalig; fond mother of David Zalig, Tim (Aida) Zalig, Donna (Wendy McNamara) Zalig, Michelle (Jim) Nortier, Jennifer (companion James Miller) Dahms, Bridget (Richard) Mangan and the late Christopher Zalig; grandmother of Mark Zalig, Billy Zalig, James Nortier, Luke Nortier, Ricky Dahms, Jordan Dahms, Justin Dahms, Jillian Dahms, Cassidy Mangan, Brenna Mangan, Maggie Mangan and Kevin Mangan; sister of John (the late Eileen) Jesulaitis and the late Rita Jesulaitis; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held January 16 and January 17 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd. 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield IL. Funeral was held January 17 to St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park for Mass. Interment private Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. Memorials appreciated to Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, 1400 W. Greenleaf Ave., Chicago, IL 60626. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com.
If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Joan Zalig Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
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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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