STANISLAW BAFIA
Stanislaw Bafia, age 83, passed away May 29.
Beloved husband of Joanna Bafia (nee Czubiak); loving father of Stanley (Danuta) Bafia, Irene (the late Andrzej) Janas, Christine (Jacob) Kosiba, Bill (Halina) Bafia and Katherine (Andy) Kalita; dear grandfather of Daniel Janas, Michael Janas, John Janas, Thomas Janas, Alice Janas, Magdalena Janas, Christine Szeliga, William Bafia, Izabella Kosiba, Emilia Kosiba, Angelica Bafia, Veronica Bafia, Miles Kalita and Vivianna Kalita; dearest great-grandfather of Henry Szeliga; cherished son of the late Anna (nee Dziadkowiec) and the late Andrzej Bafia; fond brother of Aniela Gacek, Ludwika Mrugala, the late Andrzej Bafia, the late Helena Rutkowski, the late Zofia Las, Kararzyna Maka, Bronislawa Furczon, Anna Wrobel and the late Maria Maka. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held June 3 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held June 4, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Sacred Heart Church, 8245 W. 111th Street, Palos Hills, for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
JAMES R. BRAJE
James R. Braje, 95, of Palos Park, passed away on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
He was the beloved husband of the late Loretta K., nee Kirincich. Loving uncle and friend of many. Dear brother of the late Mildred (Mario) Goravica and Joseph (Mae) Braje. Cherished son of the late Barbara, nee Malkin, and Joseph Braje.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 10, from 9:30 a.m. until time of prayers 10:30 a.m. at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, to Incarnation Catholic Church, 5757 W. 127th Street, Crestwood, for an 11 a.m. Mass. Entombment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) would be appreciated.
JAMES “JIM” CIEPLY
James “Jim” Cieply, of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away June 30.
He was the beloved husband of Debbie; loving father of Adam Cieply and proud grandfather of Liam Cieply; fond brother of Dr. Joseph (Grace) Cieply and the late Robert Cieply; dear brother in law of the late James and late Maryann Waltemath; fond tncle to Tina (Greg) Vanmerkt and Brian (Melanie) Chalupa. James was preceded in death by his parents Adam and Helen Cieply. Jim will be missed by his many cousins and friends.
Visitation was held July 7 at Foran Funeral Home. A Service in Celebration of Jim’s life was held with the Pastor Bob Geaschel from Trinity Lutheran Church in Burr Ridge officiating. Family and friends met July 8 at Chapel Hill Garden South Cemetery where Jim was laid to rest.
MAREK A. DOBIECH
Marek A. Dobiech, age 76, passed away May 21.
Visitation was held May 26 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held May 26, Service and Time of Remembrance were held at the funeral home. Interment, Cmentarz Komunalny Oddzial Grabiszyn, Wroclaw, Poland. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
DOROTHY A. ETSCHEID
Dorothy A. Etscheid (nee Gingras), age 94, passed away June 18.
Loving mother of Charles E. (Terri) Etscheid, Jr., and the late Dorothy McGary; loving grandmother of Brian (Rita) Etscheid, Christopher Etscheid (Francisco Ramos), JoAnn (Clayton) Zeisig and Suzanne (Jon) Permenter; great grandmother of Anna, Olivia, Emily, Danny, Madison, Makenzie and Megan.
Dorothy worked for the Chicago Transit Authority for 30+ years.
Visitation was held July 5 at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. (corner of Lorel). Funeral Chapel Service was held July 6. For more information, please call 773-767-1840.
HUBERT S. GASIENICA-SAMEK
Hubert S. Gasienica-Samek, age 27, passed away May 18.
Cherished son of the late Zofia Skobel and Stanislaw Gasienica-Samek; dear grandson of Bronislawa and the late Henryk Ustupski and Wladyslaw and the late Stanislawa Gasienica-Samek. Also survived by aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held May 30 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Interment, Cmentarz Parafialny na Olczy, Poland. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
ALICE C. GOMORCZAK
Alice C. Gomorczak, long time resident of Chicago, Garfield Ridge community, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family at her side.
She was the beloved wife for 37 years to Casimir Gomorczak before his passing in 1987. Loving, devoted and cherished mother of Gary (Elaine) Gomorczak, the late Daniel (Cathy) Gomorczak, David (Roseanne) Gomorczak, Ronald (Georgia) Gomorczak, Patricia Sodaro and James (Elizabeth) Gomorczak; dearest grandmother of Michelle, Jennifer, Christy, Traci, Craig, Kelly, Laura, Philip, Kimberly, Christopher, Casey and Georgiana and great grandmother of 14. Dear aunt of Diane. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Pauline Piarowski. She was a devoted member of St. Joseph Church and St. Joseph Ladies of the Rosary and Mother’s Club.
Visitation was held July 2 at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. (55th street just west of Harlem). Visitation was held at the funeral home July 3 until time of Prayers. Procession from the funeral home to St. Daniel the Prophet Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Alice was laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery alongside her husband and parents. The Mass at St. Daniel’s Church will be available to view, live stream on the funeral home’s website, www.foranfuneralhome.com go to Alices’s obituary notice, scroll down and you will see the link.
THEODORE “TED” WAYNE HANCOCK
Theodore “Ted” Wayne Hancock, age 61, passed away May 17. US Army Veteran.
Beloved husband of Sherry Hancock (nee Tranmer); loving dad of Amanda (Brian) Bikulcius and Brittany (Matthew) Youchison; dear papa of Grace Bikulcius, Brandon Bikulcius, Jackson Youchison and Thomas Youchison; cherished son of Judith Hall (nee Vincent) and Richard (Judith) Hancock; dear brother of Dawn (James) Hancock, Greg Hancock, Denise (Alain) Quirion, Eddie Hall, Shawna Hall and Jonathan Hall. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held May 23 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held May 24, Service and Time of Remembrance were held at the funeral home. Private interment in the future at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.
SALLY LOPEZ
Sally Lopez, longtime resident of Chicago, Gage Park community, graced this earth for 98 years, passed away peacefully at home with her loving family at her side.
Sally was born on June 12, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan to Andrea and Elpidio Morales. She was the cherished mother of Cecilia (late John) McNulty and Sylvia (late Roy) Venegas and Roman (Delia) Navarro; proud grandmother of Andrea (Shawn), Edward (Marisa), Raymond (Cheryl), Alejandro (Dalia), Roman Jr. (Vickie), Jessie, Adrian (Kaitlyn) and Mario (Joselyn); loving great grandmother of 13 and dear great great grandmother of 12. Sally faced every challenge in her life with love, courage and dignity, the life lessons she taught her children will live on in her grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Sally will be missed by her 2 sisters, many nieces and nephews, friends and family. For many years, she was a faithful and devoted parishioner of St. Clare on Montefalco Church. Sally’s family expresses sincere appreciation to the nurses from Northwestern Hospice for the loving and wonderful care they gave to Sally during the last days of her life.
HAYDEE MACIAS
Haydee Macias (nee Rivera). (So, fitting), the mother of 13 children passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day May 12. She was 97.
She was born is Adjuntas, Puerto Rico in 1927. In December 1955 with 6 kids in tow, Mami joined our father in Chicago. Mami and Papi would go on to have 7 more children. A true baker’s dozen. She was a strict disciplinarian. A role she was forced to deal with when our father passed away in 1967 at the age of 46. The fact that Mami was a widow at age 39 with 13 kids, dealing with a language barrier speaks volume of her strength, courage, bravery, and her amazing resilience. She was an amazing cook and an avid gardener. You knew when she spied a snake by the shrilly screams coming from her beautiful vegetable and flower garden. She is preceded in death by our father, Hipolito Montalvo, daughter Lupe (Johnny) Negron, granddaughter Jacqueline Barker, her late husband, William Macias, and companion of 20+ years, Ed Kersten. She is survived by her remaining 12 children – Freddy (Ann) Montalvo, Eddie (Olga) Montalvo, Reyes (Scott) Wocher, Jose (Maria) Montalvo, Mirna (Louie) Torres, Teddy (Bill) Barker, Carmen (Mark) Igyarto, Ili (Jerry) O’Connor, Leyli (Willie) Rivera, George (Sharon) Montalvo, Tony Montalvo and Betty Montalvo Owen. She was a sassy, quick witted Mama to over 50 grandchildren and 54 great grandchildren.
Visitation was held May 25 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
GRACIELA MARTINEZ
Graciela Martinez, age 74, passed away June 22.
Visitation was held June 25 at Szykowny Funeral Home LTD. Funeral Mass was held June 26 at St. John’s Church.
BRONISLAW RUBIS
Bronislaw Rubis, age 76, passed away June 10.
Beloved husband of Anna Rubis (nee Obrochta); loving father of Grace (John) Ciesla, Donna (Matthew) Joritz, Robert Rubis and Richard Rubis; dearest grandpa of Joshua Ciesla, Kurt Joritz, Luke Joritz and Violet Joritz; cherished son of the late Bronislawa (nee Jachymiak) and the late Jan Rubis; dear brother of Stanislaw (Zofia) Rubis, Andrzej (Zofia) Rubis, Maria (the late Wladyslaw) Fudala and Aniela (the late Zbigniew) Kosnik. Also survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held June 13 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held June 14, Prayers and procession from the funeral home to Saint Faustina Kowalska Church, 5255 S. McVicker Avenue, Chicago for Mass. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
REV. LAWRENCE F. SPRINGER
Rev. Lawrence F. Springer, 90, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former associate pastor of St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024.
Fr. Springer was born on Sept. 18, 1933, in Chicago. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein.
Fr. Springer was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1959, by Cardinal Albert Meyer, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 10 of the same year at Sacred Heart Parish in Chicago.
After ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Springer was assistant pastor at the following parishes: St. Matthias Parish on Ainslie Street in Chicago, St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove, and Our Lady of Victory Parish on Agatite Avenue in Chicago.
He then served as associate pastor at St. Athanasius Parish in Evanston, St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville, St. John Brebeuf Parish in Niles, St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn, and St. Zachary Parish. He retired in 2003.
Rev. Ronald Kalas, vicar for senior priests and one of Fr. Springer’s classmates, recalled how his friend “loved the church from the time he was an altar server, then to the seminary days and then to his 65 years of priesthood.” Kalas added that his classmate “served in many parishes and enjoyed carefully following the liturgical renewal and even donated vestments to the parishes he served.”
Rev. Edward McLaughlin, retired archdiocesan priest and one of Fr. Springer’s classmates, remembered him as a “very bright, intelligent man.” Springer “was the kind of guy who poured himself 100 percent into anything he did, from preaching to learning to play tennis and to coaching basketball,” McLaughlin said.
Rev. Edward Salmon, retired archdiocesan priest, had been a friend of Fr. Springer’s since their first year of high school at Quigley. Salmon recalled Springer’s drive and zest for life adding that “he was very serious about everything that he did and was totally dedicated to what he was involved in.”
Funeral services have been held.
Interment was at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery located in Evergreen Park.
ANTHONY “TONY” J. SUTTON
Anthony “Tony” J. Sutton passed away May 18.
Cherished son of Cherie (Mark) Metelski; loving brother of Richard (Danielle) Sutton, Jonathan Metelski (girlfriend, Kelly) and Bryan Metelski; dear godfather and uncle of Aria Grace Sutton; dear uncle of Jaxson Metelski; treasured grandson of Joanne Griffin (George Manasses). Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
Visitation was held May 24 at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice. Funeral was held May 25, Service and Time of Remembrance were held at the funeral home. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. For more information, 708-496-0200 or www.kaminskifamilyfuneralhomes.com.
MYRA URBANOWICZ
Myra Urbanowicz, age 68, passed away suddenly June 22.
Beloved daughter of the late Adolf and the late Jadwiga (nee Rozkiwinska); dear sister of Stanley (Maria), Christine (Albert) Kubilus, Regina (Edward) Fitzpatrick and the late Edward (Irene) Urbanowicz; loving aunt of Monika (Scott), Christine (Frank), Tommy (Ann), Kathy (Louis), Michelle (Daniel), Albert (Ana), Michael and Matthew. Beloved great aunt to many.
Visitation was held June 30, with a Prayer Service following at the Richard-Midway Funeral Home, 5749 Archer Ave. (corner of Lorel). Private interment Resurrection Cemetery. For more information, please call 773-767-1840.