DOROTHY BALCITIS

Dorothy Balcitis (nee Krug), age 94, passed away October 26.

Adored wife of the late Raymond L. Balcitis (Ret. Captain CPD); loving devoted mother to Rae (Richard) Lapinski (both Ret. CPD), the late Charles (Ret. CPD) (Sandra Bond), Sharon (Ret. CPD) and the late Jeffrey (Patricia) (both Ret. CPD); cherished grandmother to Bryan (Tabitha), Tanya, Jacqueline (Mike), Alyssa (Paul), Katherine, Marc (Kaydie) and Joshua; proud great-grandmother to ten; daughter to Pauline (nee Mahay) and Charles Krug.

Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Two Holy Martyrs Parish-Saint Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment, Saint Casimir Cemetery, Chicago. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

JOHN A. BOGDANOWICZ

John A. Bogdanowicz, age 70, passed away October 27.

Loving father of Michelle Zimmerman (Pete Zach) and Christine Cimino (Robert Fitzgerald); dear grandfather of Nicolas Cimino, Taylor Daacon, Christopher Daacon, Analisa Cimino, Aden Wirsing and Ava Wirsing; dearest great-grandfather of Rylan Tinnon, Evelyn Daacon, Everlee Daacon, Mateo Cimino and Gabriella Cimino; cherished son of the late Janina (nee Chrusciel) and the late Mitchell Bogdanowicz; fond brother of Stanley Bogdanowicz and Grace Bernath. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held November 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held November 3, Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

JOSEPH M. KRUPA 

Joseph M. Krupa, 80, late of Orland Park, passed away December 5. 

He was the husband of the late Theresa M. Krupa nee Kukosh; father of Anthony (Louwallien) Krupa and Lisa (Tim) Mittler; grandfather of Jamaica, Givenn, Samantha and Michael; brother of Stephen (Edith) Krupa; uncle of many nieces and nephews. 

Joseph was a retired design engineer with many years of dedicated service. 

Visitation was held on December 12 at Thornridge Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass was held on December 13 at Our Lady of the Woods Church. Interment St. Mary Cemetery. 

Arrangements entrusted to Thornridge Funeral Home (Janusz Family Funeral Service).

LORETTA ROSE MISEVICH

Loretta Rose Misevich (nee Narel), age 94, of Chicago, passed away peacefully at home October 20.

Loretta was preceded in death by her daughter Carol, her parents Casmier and Anna, and her five siblings. She is survived by her children Kenneth (Mira) and Nancy (Mickey) Headley; her grandchildren Bill, Diana, Bob, Trina, and Joe; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held November 4 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 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.

OMAR A. MORALES

Omar A. Morales passed away December 1.

He was the loving son of Velia and the late Arthur Morales; proud and loving father of Omar Julius Morales and Elise Morales (Araceli). Omar will be dearly missed by his many brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.

Visitation was held December 7 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held December 8 at the funeral home until time of prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Simon Chapel of St. Gall for a Mass of Christian Burial. Omar will be laid to rest next to his father at St. Mary Cemetery.

VIRGINIA I. NIEMIERA

Virginia I. Niemiera (nee Waskievicz), age 96, passed away October 22.

Beloved wife of the late Raymond Niemiera; loving mother of David (Donna) Niemiera and the late Thomas (Sandy) Niemiera; beloved grandma of Kimberly Luckman, Karen (Edward) Lynch, Regina (Harry) Stratton and Cathy Niemiera; dear great grandma of Megan, Danny, Noah and Zach; cherished daughter of the late Josephine (nee Kania) and the late Alex Waskievicz; fond sister of the late Jean Lawkis, the late Harriet Blazowski and the late Helen Standard. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was held October 27 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 28, 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.

JERRY PREDNY

Jerry Predny passed away December 3.

Beloved husband of the late Elaine Basner Predny; beloved father of Janet (Michael) Metrakos and Steven (Jenny) Predny; loving grandfather of Elizabeth Metrakos; dear brother of the late Mildred (late Walter) Kessler. Jerry will be lovingly missed by his caregiver Nancy Bronakowski.

Visitation was held Decembe 10 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th St. just west of Harlem). A Service in Celebration of Jerry’s life was held with Pastor Dennis Lauritsen officiating. Military Honors were accorded. Per his wishes, Jerry was cremated and will be buried with his wife at Bethania Cemetery at a later date.

ALEKSANDER RABIANSKI

Aleksander Rabianski, age 78, passed away October 26.

Beloved husband of the late Joanna (nee Byrdak) Rabianska; loving father of Beata (Jaroslaw) Magiera; dearest grandfather of Andy Magiera, Anthony (Anna) Magiera and Sebastian Magiera; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Findura) and the late Andrzej Rabianski; dear brother of Helena (the late Jan) Cudecka, the late Juliusz (Anna) Rabiansky and the late Jozef (the late Anna) Rabianski. Also survived by nieces and nephews in Poland and Slovakia and other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Sacred Heart Church, 8245 W. 111th St., Palos Hills for Mass. Interment, Good Shepherd Cemetery, Orland Park. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

JOSEPH F. RAPSKY 

Joseph F. Rapsky, 104, of Palos Park, former longtime resident of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community, passed away November 23. 

He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor Mae (nee Lees); loving father of Joseph (Beverly) Rapsky, Eleanor, Kevin, Larry (Donna), Gary Rapsky, the late Bonnie (Alan) Anderson and the late Jessie (late Albert) McKolosky; dearest grandfather and great-grandfather of many; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation was November 30 at St. Daniel the Prophet Church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Garden Mausoleum. Condolences may be sent to Joseph’s family on his personal tribute website at www.foranfuneralhome.com

VIOLET RATKOVICH

Violet Ratkovich (nee Novacek), age 97, of Brookfield, passed away peacefully December 2, surrounded by her family.

Violet is survived by her daughter Pamela (Robert) Cherry, two grandchildren Allison (Justin) Cook, Brent (Lisa) Cherry, four great-grandchildren, Dawson Cherry, Madison Cherry, Kennedy Cherry and Mason Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband Peter and parents Emil and Emily Novacek.

Visitation was held December 11 and December 12 to time of Service at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com. If you wish to send a sympathy card or Mass card to the family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Violet Ratkovich Family.  We will gladly forward it on to the family.

JOHNNY SKALA

Johnny Skala, age 57, of Brookfield, passed away December 4.

Proud, loving father of Andrea (Anthony) Harding and Allison (Theodore) Cook; beloved grandfather of Peyton, Sadie, and Gavin; dear son of Anna Skala (nee Podest), and the late Josef Skala; brother of Joseph (Francine) Skala and Michael (Angela) Skala; uncle of Christine (JT) McLanigan (nee Skala), and Joseph (Erin) Skala.

Visitation was held December 9 until time of service at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services., 9445 W. 31st Street Brookfield. Funeral followed. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to: NADS (National Association for Down Syndrome) 1460 Renaissance Drive, Suite # 102 Park Ridge, IL 60068. 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 Johnny Skala Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.

TADEUSZ SMORCZEWSKI

Tadeusz Smorczewski, age 72, passed away October 21.

Loving father of Iwona (Mariusz) Werniewski, Edyta (Jacek) Robak and Martyna (Radoslaw) Brzezinski; dearest grandfather of Norbert, Maya, Oliver and Nella; former spouse of Krystyna (nee Moczulska) Smorczewska; cherished son of the late Eugenia (nee Zalewska) and the late Czeslaw Smorczewski; dear brother of Krystyna (Mieczyslaw) Grzybowski. Also survived by relatives and friends.

Visitation was held October 27 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 28, 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.

DONALD “DON” R. STAGOWSKI

Donald “Don” R. Stagowski, age 85, passed away October 27.

Beloved husband of Celeste (nee Nowak) Stagowski; loving dad of Donna Bryan, Bryan (Magaret) Stagowski and Bruce (Kristina) Stagowski; dear grandpa of Jennifer, Jasen, Jessica, Jeremy, Justin, Joseph, Bryan, Jimmy, Matthew, Brad, Nikkole and Amanda; dearest great-grandpa of 12 and great-great-grandpa of 1. Also survived by relatives and friends.

Visitation was held November 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 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.

EDWARD H. TOMCZYK

Edward H. Tomczyk, age 68, passed away October 26.

Beloved husband of Maria (nee Komperda) Tomczyk; loving father of Mark (Melanie) Tomczyk and Monica (Marcin) Mietus; dear grandfather of David, Alexander, Nathaniel, Gabriella and Derek; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Wilk) and the late Wladyslaw Tomczyk; dear brother of Franciszek (Krystyna) Tomczyk, Tadeusz (Michalina) Tomczyk, Kazimierz Tomczyk and the late Janina Kwasna. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends both in Poland and USA.

Visitation was held October 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held October 31, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Blase Church, 6101 S. 75th Avenue, Summit for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.

ANGELA I. TREJO

Angela I. Trejo passed away peacefully December 7 with her children at her side.

She was the much-loved mother of Jose Castrejon Jr., Juana Castrejon, Olga Castrejon and Norma Castrejon; loving partner of Jose Castrejon Sr.; dear sister of Gloria (Abel) Hernandez, Fernando (Cecilia)Trejo and Sergio Trejo. Angela will be dearly remembered by her many nieces, nephews and friends.

Per her request, Angela will be cremated. Please share your memories and condolences with her children.