
Obituaries April 20, 2023
ROY ABELDANO
Roy Abeldano, age 66, passed away April 3.
Roy is survived by his only daughter Sonia; her mother Gloria; 5 grandkids Joshua, Julian, Jaida, Jayla and Jayleen; his mother Maria Abeldano; his brothers and sister Roberto (Maria), Mariselda (Jesus) Hector and Elisabeth; nephews and nieces. His Tios Alfonso Pedro Rolando Ramiro and Tias Herminia Rosa Anita Maria Teresa Raquel and cousins. Grandparents Pablo and Felicitas Abeldano. Son of the late Roberto Abeldano.
Visitation was held at Szykowny Funeral Home, 4901 S Archer Ave, Chicago, Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Cremation private. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
REFUGIO “BIG REF” ATILANO
Refugio “Big Ref” Atilano, age 74, of Chicago, Brighton Park community passed away April 6th.
Ref, the patriarch of our family was the husband of Delia (Teran) Atilano; father to Refugio, Victoria, Michael, and Jennifer; son of Bertha and Mateo; brother to Maria, Irma, Jesus (deceased), Carol, Yolanda, Juan, and Frank; grandfather of 9; godfather, uncle, and friend to many.
Visitation was held April 13 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral was held April 14 from the funeral home to the Church of Our Lady of Snows for Mass. Interment St. Mary Cemetery 708-839-8999 www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
KASIMIERA BRZEZNIAK
Kasimiera Brzezniak (nee Bartman), age 90, passed away March 1.
Beloved wife of the late Edward Brzezniak; loving mom of Alicia Brzezniak, Teresa Gustafson and Karen Dobrzynski; dear grandmother of Tara (Richard) Jensen and Daniel (Heather) Gustafson; dearest great-grandmother of Ricky and Violet. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held March 7 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, 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.
THOMAS F. CERNY
Thomas F. Cerny, 74, of Palos Hills, passed away on April 11.
He was an Army veteran.
He was the beloved husband of 50 years to Joanne (nee Mentel); loving father of Mark (Candace) Cerny and the late Jessica Cerny; cherished Papa of Max and Mason Cerny; devoted son of the late Frank and Dorothy nee Kroupa Cerny; dearest brother of Sandra (John) Compton and Linda (Larry) Willis.
Funeral services were held at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Hwy., Palos Hills. Interment was private.
MARIA FERMAINT
Maria Fermaint (nee Garcia), age 79, passed away March 5.
Beloved wife of the late Domingo Fermaint; loving mother of Evan Fermaint and Jose Fermaint; dear grandmother of the late Steven J. Fermaint, Evan C. Fermaint and Dominic A. Fermaint. She was a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, mother and wife.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Covenant House for children. Please see the link at the bottom of the obituary page under Memorial Contributions at the funeral home website.
Visitation was held March 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.
BESSEMA “TINA” GILL
Bessema “Tina” Gill (nee Gallman), age 87, passed away March 6.
Beloved wife of Ed Gill for 68 years; loving mom of Dane (Susan) Gill, Mark Gill, Brian Gill and the late Mary Helen Gill; dear granny of Edward (Gabriela), Emily, Darin, Thomas and Amanda; dearest Granny Red of Zane. Also survived by relatives and friends.
Visitation was held March 9 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 10, Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Bethania Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
THOMAS K. GRANAT
Thomas K. Granat, age 16, of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away suddenly, April 6.
Cherished son of Grazyna (nee Kuciel) and Kazimierz Granat; loving grandson of Aniela and late Jan Granat and Helena and late Kazimierz Kuciel; dearest nephew of Renata (Andrzej) Bednarz with family, Stanislaw (Bozena) Granat with family, Beata Ojeda with family, Witold (Anna) Karwecki with family, Elzbieta (Marek) Melczyk with family and late Stanislaw Kuciel with family.
Visitation was held April 14 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held April 14 from the funeral home to the Church of St. Faustyna Kowalska for Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. 773-767-2166 or www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
DENISE GRANEY
Denise Graney, 59, of Chicago, passed away on April 11 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
She was the loving wife of Michael Dolan, and mother to Maggie, Patrick, and Clare Graney-Dolan. Adored daughter to Margaret and Michael Graney. Cherished sister of Michele (Dustin) Grubish, Colleen, Michael, and Brian (Mary). Beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.
A devoted English teacher for 36 years at Queen of Peace High School and Crete-Monee High School, and a longtime community member of the Beverly-Morgan Park area. Denise spent her whole life learning and was a proud graduate of St Cajetan, St Ignatius College Prep, and the College of the Holy Cross.
Funeral services were Monday from Curley Funeral Home in Chicago Ridge to St. Cajetan Church in Chicago. Interment was private.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
ELVIRA BLANCO DE GUDINO
Elvira Blanco De Gudino, age 68, passed away April 3.
Will be forever missed by her beloved family and friends.
Arrangements were held at Szykowny Funeral home, 4901 S Archer Ave. Jonathan F Siedlecki, Owner/Director. Final resting place Mexico. To leave any tributes, please visit funeral home website at www.SzykownyFuneralHomeIL.com.
EDWARD KWIATKOWSKI
Edward Kwiatkowski, 83, of Crestwood, passed away on April 11.
He was an Air Force veteran.
He was the beloved husband of the late Karen, nee Judd, for 60 years. Loving father of Dennis (Ita), Denise (Joe) Hausner, Donna, and Douglas. Cherished grandfather of Anthony (Courtney), Erin, Joe Jr., Kelly, and the late Angel. Great-grandfather of Jackson and Eleanor. Beloved son of the late Joseph and Eleanor, nee Lojas. Dear brother of the late Joseph, Lawrence, and Patricia. Dear nephew of Irene Skocz. Fond uncle, great-uncle, and cousin of many.
He was an avid bowler for 74 years and a fixture for years at Orland Bowl in Orland Park. He was past president and lifetime member of the Chicagoland Metropolitan Bowling Association, which shared a tribute on social media: “Eddie spent many years dedicated to volunteering on the Chicagoland board, as well as continuing to be a center rep delivering awards. He worked for Orland Bowl for many years as well, and was secretary for many of their leagues. Eddie truly loved the sport of bowling. He will be missed by many in our community. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Funeral services were held at Becvar & Son Funeral Home in Crestwood. Interment was private.
LORELEI R. LAURAITIS
Lorelei R. Lauraitis (nee Walczak), of Palos Park, formerly of Chicago, Archer Heights community.
Beloved wife of John F. Lauraitis; devoted daughter of the late Irene (nee Wojcik) and late Steven Walczak; dearest sister-in-law of Barbara (George) Daugherty and Victoria (late David) DePeder; fond aunt of Greg (Beth), Randy, Jon (Angie), Nicholas, Kristin and Jody; dear great aunt of Nick (fianceé Danielle), Lauren (Carter), Alex, Nichole, Matthew, Daniel, Victoria and Mia.
Visitation was held April 11 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd., 8999 S. Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. Funeral was held April 12 from the funeral home to the Church of Our Lady of the Woods for Mass. Entombment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum. 708- 839-8999 www.ZarzyckiManorChapels.com.
BEVERLY ANNE LEWIS
Beverly Anne Lewis (nee Sheppard), age 81, passed away March 14.
Beloved wife of the late Ishmael Lewis; loving mother of Cindy (Rob) Braun, Maureen (John) Bergquist, Michael (Sheri) Lewis, Timothy Lewis and Peter (Wendy) Lewis; dear grandmother of Michael, Amber, David, Megan and Jessica; dearest great-grandmother of Annabelle, Lealend and Jaxxon; cherished daughter of the late Ruth (nee Hipfl) and the late William Sheppard; fond sister of Donna Ritz, William Sheppard and the late Gloria Murray. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held March 17 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.
NORMAN J. MARTELLO
Norman J. Martello, 86, of Palos Heights, passed away on April 2.
He was the beloved husband of Carol (nee Foley). Devoted father of Joseph (Carol) Martello, Thomas Martello, Christine (Anthony) Camardo, Janet (Don) Shouse and Michael (Carolyn) Martello. Loving “Papa”of Nicholas, Vincent, Gianna and John Camardo, Matthew, Gabriella and Daniel Shouse, Isabella and August Martello. Dear brother of Johanna Ugo-Conlon and the late Richard (Maria) Martello.
Funeral services were held at Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood, and at Incarnation Catholic Church. Cremation was private.
RUTH McCLINTOCK
Ruth McClintock (nee Kalchbrenner), age 80, passed away March 5.
Beloved wife of the late Dennis McClintock; loving mother of Dennis McClintock and the late Diane McClintock; cherished daughter of the late Florence (nee Scott) and the late Walter Kalchbrenner. Also survived by numerous relatives and friends.
Visitation was held March 14 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.
MARY S. MOEHRING
Mary S. Moehring (nee Jolly), age 64, passed away March 8.
Beloved wife of John Moehring; loving mother of Barbara (Daniel) Mahoney, Lance (Teresa) Townsend, Reed (Lynda) Townsend and Mary Moehring; dear grandma of Morgandy Mahoney, Conrad Mahoney and Gunther Mahoney; cherished daughter of the late Mary (nee Manning) and the late Marshall Jolly; fond sister of the late Neil (Marcia) Jolly, Jeanne (Eugene) Lantka, Michael (Janie) Jolly, the late Brian Jolly, Carolyn (Michael) Forrest and Sally (Randall) Matuszewski. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held March 13 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 14, Service and Time of Remembrance held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JAMES T. MROZEK
James T. Mrozek, age 53, of Plainfield, formerly of Chicago, Archer Heights community, passed away April 5.
Loving father of Michael (Jasmine) and Vera Mrozek; devoted son of Bernard and Helen Mrozek; dear brother of Bernie Mrozek and Diane Staszel; dearest uncle of Alex (Ana Laura) Staszel; great uncle of Noah; dear nephew of Ted (Cathy) Pilny, late Fred (Joan) Mrozek and late Thomas (Evelyn) Mrozek; dearly loved by his many cousins and friends.
Visitation was held April 10 at Zarzycki Manor Chapels, 8899 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. Funeral was held April 11 from the funeral home to Our Lady, Mother of Church Polish Mission for Mass. Entombment Resurrection Garden Mausoleum. 708-839-8999 or Chicago & Willow Springs, IL Funeral Home & Cremation | Zarzycki Manor Chapels, Ltd.
CECELIA B. OLEJNICZAK
Cecelia B. Olejniczak (nee Cukla), 97, of Oak Lawn, passed away on April 10.
She was the beloved wife for 53 years of the late Joseph Olejniczak; loving mother of Rosalie Margarella, Frances (John) DeYoung, Lillian (Tommy) Tobey, Michael (Tia) Olejniczak, Charles (Michelle) Olejniczak, Steven Olejniczak, Alex (Theresa) Olejniczak, and the late Joseph (Marcia) Olejniczak, and Gregory (Sharon) Olejniczak. Cherished grandmother of 23. Proud great grandmother of 33. Great-great grandmother of one. Dear sister of the late Janet Stojak, Mary Wegner, and Sr. Cherubim.
Cecelia was well known in the community after serving for years as the church organist and a lifelong member of St. Gerald Parish. She was music minister and choir director at various churches for more than 50 years.
She earned a degree later in life from St. Xavier University. She was a longtime member of TOPS.
She was the mother of Oak Lawn Trustee Alex Olejniczak.
Funeral services were held Saturday from Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home to St. Gerald Church. Interment was at Resurrection Cemetery.
SEAN O’NEILL, OWNER OF DOUGHS GUYS BAKERY
Sean T. O’Neill, 62, passed away April 4 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was owner of Doughs Guys Bakery in Palos Heights.
He was the beloved husband for 33 years to Sharon (nee Slager). Loving father of Declan, Claire, the late Mackenzie and Kelsie. Son of the late Thomas and Alice O’Neill. Dear brother to twin Thomas, Kevin (Catherine), Mike “Casey” (Karen) O’Malley, the late George Skaritka, the late Marge Kelly, the late Philomenia Glenn, the late Doreen McCarthy, and the late Nuala Tierney. Dear former brother-in-law to Marge Skaritka and Linda O’Neill. Fond brother-in-law of Charles (Deb) Slager, Tim Slager, Rebecca (Jim) Haan, Donald (Debbie) Slager and Rich (Patty) Slager.
After a lengthy career as a salesman in the paper industry, he and Sharon founded Doughs Guys Bakery in 2013.
He was diagnosed in November 2017 with the rare form of ocular melanoma cancer.
Funeral services were held at Colonial Chapel in Orland Park, and Mount Greenwood Community Church. Interment was at Chapel Hill Gardens South.
Memorials to Wills Eye Foundation, 840 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107 or Ocular Melanoma Foundation, 1717 K Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20006 are appreciated.
THERESA A RODRIGUEZ
Theresa A Rodriguez (nee Dycus), age 61, passed away March 2.
Beloved wife of 37 years, and best friend for more than 44 years to Thomas A Rodriguez Jr.; loving Mother of Renee (Tony) Zastro, Alicia “Lisa” (Matt Reed) Rodriguez, Margaret “Margie” Fitak, Markie (Chris) Ravenna, and Thomas “TJ” Rodriguez III; most cherished grandma “Bama” to Damian, Echo, Dominic, Jaxon, Zelda, Azael, Layla, Charli, and Cameron. Preceded in death by her Mother Margaret “Marge” and Father Ward “Buck” Dycus; as well as her brothers Ward “Rusty” Dycus, and Mark (Linda) Dycus. She is survived by her brother Patrick Robert Dycus, and Valerie (Jim) Patterson. She had many friends, co-workers, cousins, nieces and nephews that she loved very much.
Visitation was held March 18 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Cremation rites have been accorded. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
HELENA RUSNAK
Helena Rusnak (nee Plewa), age 72, passed away March 3.\
Beloved wife of Jan Rusnak; loving mother of Maria (Janusz) Kubiszewski, Barbara (Stanislaw) Sarna and Zbigniew (Anna) Rusnak; dear grandmother of Natalia, Patricia, Priscilla, Kevin, Ryan and Aidan; cherished daughter of the late Antonina (nee Lesny) and the late Jan Plewa; fond sister of Maria Kaczmarczyk, Bronislaw Plewa and Katarzyna Plewa. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Member of Kolo nr. 66 Debno Podhalanskie of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of America.
Visitation was held March 19 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held March 20, 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.
ALGIMANTAS VAICIULIS
Algimantas Vaiciulis, age 89, of Chicago, passed away April 7. Proud Air Force Veteran.
Beloved husband of the late Julia Vaiciulis (nee Rumps); dear father of Richard (Kelly) Vaiciulis, Thomas (Sheila) Vaiciulis and Anthony Vaiciulis; grandfather of Luke, Katherine, Abigail, Claire and John; brother of Jonas (Aurelija) Vaiciulis; uncle and great uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held April 12 and April 13 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield. Funeral was held April 13 to St. Louise de Marillac Church, La Grange Park for Mass. Interment St. Casimir Cemetery, Chicago. Memorials appreciated to the World Wildlife Fund or the Sierra Club. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com. For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, you can leave the family a message on our website. 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 the Algimantas Vaiciulis Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.
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