OBITUARIES

Frank Szajerski

Jan 11, 2017

Frank J. Szajerski, age 86, late of Hegewisch, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Beloved husband of Alice Szajerski (nee Sosnowski). Loving father of  Kenneth (Julie), Karen Mindas, Karl Shires and Karla (Scott) Wills. Proud grandfather of  John “Jack”, Trevor, Molly, Samuel and Alexander. Kind great grandfather of  Brighton. Caring brother of Josephine. Dear uncle of many nieces and...

Thomas Runge

Jan 11, 2017

Age 70, late of Hegewisch,  passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Beloved husband of Irene Runge (nee Vaillancourt). Loving father of Andre Desautels and Nicole Conry. Proud grandfather of Brandy Desautels and Aurora Conry. Caring great grandfather of Saphfire and Lillith. Dear brother of Barbara (Randy) Pischke and Nancy Kudlo. Kind uncle of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Elmer and Stephanie Runge. Thomas...

Richard Mauna

Jan 5, 2017

Richard R. Mauna, age 64, late of Whiting, IN. passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017. Loving father of Vanessa Mauna and John Mauna. Cherished grandfather of Adrian, Abigail, Jada, Giovanni and Laura. Proud great grandfather of Dahlia and Blas. Caring significant other of Lisa. Devoted son of Romona Navarro, Noreen Mauna and the late Raul Mauna Sr. Dear brother...

Edward Petlak

Dec 30, 2016

Edward R. Petlak, age 92, late of Calumet City, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016.  Beloved husband of Rita Petlak (nee Ginalski); loving father of Candace (Dr. John) Hohner and Elliott (Shoshan Reddington) Petlak; proud grandfather of Dr. Elita (Eric Taylor) Hohner, Cassie Hohner, Sloane Petlak and Layne Petlak; dear uncle of Ann (Armand) Capanna, Lynn M. (Thomas M.) Backofen and...

Louis Roy Jr.

Dec 30, 2016

Louis A. Roy Jr. age 87. Longtime Hegewisch resident, formerly of Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. A Railroad Engineer, he had over 30 years of service with the Illinois Central Railroad. Loving husband for 60 years of the late Mary A. (Carbone) Roy. Beloved father of Daniel (Sharon) Roy, CPD and the late Michael (Susan) Roy. Proud “Nonno” to his grandson...

Michael Barbush

Dec 27, 2016

Michael F. Barbush, age 88, late of Lansing, formerly of Hegewisch and Chicago, IL., passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016. Beloved husband of 60 years to the late Rita A. Barbush (nee Jankowski). Loving father of Cynthia Barbush, Michael (Beverly) Barbush and Mark (Shawna) Barbush. Proud grandfather of Logan Francis, Nyree and Charles. Devoted great grandfather of Kayla. Preceded in death...

Gloria Wisz (nee Steinken)

Dec 25, 2016

Age 85, late of Hegewisch, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2016. Loving mother of Robert (Doree) Wisz and Mary Wisz. Proud grandmother of Donald, Aimee, Clara and Lucy. Devoted great grandmother of Genevieve, Tobias and River. Caring sister of Helen (Donald). Dear sister-in-law of Bernice and Casimir. Kind aunt of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Theodore and Suzanne Steinken.

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Thomas Kasiak

Dec 16, 2016

Age 66, late of Hegewisch, passed away Friday, December 16, 2016. Loving father of Joseph (Linda) Kasiak and Erika (Bob) Gonzales. Proud grandfather of William, Jude and Anne Kasiak, Matthew, Miranda and Mason Gonzales. Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Joseph and Barbara Kasiak.

Virginia Bernardi

Dec 14, 2016

Virginia Bernardi, age 95, late of Hegewisch and the East Side, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016. Virginia was born March 30, 1921 in Chicago to her parents Samuel and Mary Mastronardi, who preceded her in death. She was the beloved wife of the late Emil Bernardi, who was the love of her life. She was a loving and caring Mother to...

Angelo Marin

Dec 1, 2016

Late of Calumet City, IL., passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016. Beloved son of Jose Marin and Yomara Roa. Precious grandson of  Sofia Roa and Josefina Marin. Dear brother of Isaac and Arianna Chavez.

Paul Kuchenbecker Jr.

Dec 1, 2016

Age 49, late of Hammond, IN., passed away Thursday, December 1, 2016, after a long illness. Loving son of Nellie and the late Paul Sr. Caring brother of Stephania, Robert and Thomas. Cherished uncle of Elissa Millan. Kind nephew of Billie Ray and Goldie Stephens of Texas. Dear cousin of many.

Paul proudly and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy...

Dorothy Kovacic

Nov 30, 2016

Age 86, late of South Holland, IL., passed away Wednesday, November 30, 2016. Beloved wife of 54 years to the late Rudolph J. Kovacic. Loving mother of Debra (John) Dramisino, Russell (Sheryl),  Nancy, Jeffery, Carolyn (Larry) Zunica, Anthony, Richard, Gary and Sandra. Caring grandmother of Danielle Kovacic, Kimberly (Robbie) Kwiecinski, Anthony Dramisino, Lauren Kovacic, Eric Zunica, Bradley Zunica, Ryley Zunica and Nicholas...

Phyllis Serafin

Nov 19, 2016

Age 86, late of Hegewisch, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Richard C. Serafin. Loving mother of Richard D. (Sharyn) Serafin, Linda (Harold) Baker and Annette (Donald) Whitlow. Proud Busia of Brittany (Justin) Childs, Ali (fiancé Dan Resnick) Whitlow, Philip Baker and Cody Baker. Proud Grandma Phyllis of Emily, Daniel and Katherine Finlon. Dear sister of Audrey (late Leo)...

Gerard Gargas

Nov 11, 2016

Age 48, late of Hegewisch, passed away Friday, November 11, 2016. Loving brother of John (Alison) Gargas and Lisa (Mark) Anderson. Dear uncle of Adam, Niles, Gabrielle, John and Lucille. Preceded in death by parents: John and Lucille Gargas. Gerard was a lifelong resident of Hegewisch and well loved by everyone who knew him.

Leona Kulchawik

Oct 26, 2016

Age 92, late of Homewood, IL., passed away Wednesday, October 26, 2016. Beloved wife of 56 years to the late Casimir Kulchawik. Loving mother of Larry (Carol), Bob (Judy), Chris (Joe) Swircz, Bill (Diane), John (Kim), Kevin (Debbie) and Mary Anne (Chuck) O’Toole. Caring grandmother of Ann, Lauren, Peter (Michelle), Dana, Eric, John, Casey Swircz, Russel, Jason (Carmen), Leanne...

Alexa Avila

Sep 25, 2016

Passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016. Beloved daughter of Jesus E. and Jeanette Avila. Cherished sister of Axel Avila. Precious granddaughter of Raquel Venegas, Jesus C. Avila, Olivia Perez and Jesus Galindo. Dear niece and cousin of many.

In memory of Alexa, please wear pink.

Eleftheria Douzopoulos

Sep 13, 2016

Visitation: Opyt Funeral Home

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2016

Private Funeral Services

Private Interment

Michael Barajas Sr.

Sep 12, 2016

Age 36, late of Chicago, IL passed away Monday, September 12, 2016. Beloved husband of Rebecca Barajas (nee Brown). Loving father of Michael Anthony Jr., Andrew Emil and Madelyn Louise. Dedicated son of Virginia Barajas. Compassionate  brother of Daniel Alexander (Cristy Calderon) Barajas and Leonardo J. (Lisette) Barajas Jr. Cherished grandson Joseph and Velia Lopez. Fond son-in-law of Louise Brown. Caring brother-in-law of  Genevieve Brown. Kind grandson-in-law of...

Kevin Podgorny

Sep 5, 2016

Age 56, late of Hegewisch, passed away Monday, September 5, 2016. Beloved brother of Constance (Henry) Grigg-Koning, Robert (late Jirina) Podgorny and Gerald Podgorny. Caring God-father to Sharon. Kind uncle of Laura, Joanne, Sharon and Nina. Devoted great uncle to many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents: Walter and Mary Podgorny.

Kevin was very active with the St. Florian Parish,...

Victory Brown

Sep 2, 2016

Beloved daughter of Demetrius Brown and Dawn V. Hood. Loving sister of Noah Hood, Jarrett Brown and Griffin Brown. Cherished granddaughter of Elizabeth Brown, Jan V. Hood and Ronald Greenwood Sr. Dear niece of many.