Lombard/Villa Park obituaries—January 13

TERRI JOAN CHOLEWA
Terri Joan Cholewa, née Brammer, age 64, longtime Lombard resident, passed away peacefully and gracefully January 5, 2022, with the ones she loved.
A Visitation was held Sunday, January 9, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment private.
Terri was the beloved wife of 43 years to the love of her life, Tom Cholewa; loving mother of Nicole Gentry, Justin Brammer Cholewa, and Danielle (Micky Street) Cholewa; adored grandma of Logan, Ryder and Noah; and dear sister of Ann (the late Gene) Golden.
Terri was the “Angel of Tom’s Life”. Terri was always so proud of her family and the precious world she created for them. She was their rock and center. Terri was always glowing with kindness.
Terri was always curled up with a book in her hands and loved animals. She enjoyed doing puzzles with her family and keeping up with family and friends near and far. She had great pride in her town and was always grateful to be a Lombardian.
“Mom, we know that you’ll always be our Angel watching over us with endless love. Until we meet again, we will hold you close in our hearts and miss you and Love you Always and Forever.”

JOSEPH R. FORS
Joseph Roy Fors, age 52, of Cherry Valley, formerly of Lombard, died January 7, 2022.
When you met Joe you wanted to meet him again. He was Mr. Cool without the haughty attitude. If he was your friend and you were having a bad day his attitude could change the day. Whatever your problem was he could help with it. I’ve seen him with a flashlight, screwdriver and wrench, read a manual for some strange device and in a while have it fixed. All the while his humor would prevail. Your bad day would turn into a fond memory. He had more than a lifetime of memories. We are heartbroken and are very sad to say “see you later” to a person who lived their life on the edge all the time. We would save our money and schedule our time to do something in our bucket list and Joe would just live in his bucket. He could turn a day on a dime. His joy and humor were infectious, and people would always be happy when Joe was around.
Joe had his lows too but somehow you always remembered his highs because they were higher than ours. He celebrated everything and everybody and would always promise you a tomorrow. Sometimes that tomorrow was a long time coming but sooner or later there he would be. So, for all of us that are looking to meet Joe again……it will happen. KEEP THE FAITH and enjoy life.
Joe was the beloved son of Patricia McIlroy and Ingvaar Fors; loving brother of Candace (Dave) Casey, Ingvaar “Lucky” (Wendy) Fors, and Nicole Fors. He was the love of her life to Melinda Kanak, and her children Lennon, Amelia, Flynn, and Dalton; beloved uncle “the fun Uncle” of Chase (Jenna) Bachar, Lake (Stephanie) Bachar; beloved Great-uncle to Quinn and Elsie.
Joe was the proud owner of Doc Holliday’s, an avid outdoorsman, bicyclist, fisherman and hunter. He was a heavy weight Golden Gloves boxer.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warrior Project, 230 W Monroe St., Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60606; and the American Cancer Society, 1 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60601.
Visitation Sunday, January 16, 2022, from 2-9 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard with a Funeral Service at 3 p.m. Celebration of Life event will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, from 4-9 p.m. at the American Legion, 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, IL. Masks are required for all services.
For more information, please visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094.

BRIAN R. KELLY
Brian R. Kelly, age 68, of Aurora, passed away suddenly on Jan. 7, 2022, at Rush Copley Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 3-7 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. A brief prayer service will follow the visitation.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

GLORIA LAZANAS
Gloria Lazanas, age 90, passed away peacefully November 30, 2021, from Dementia. She was born August 23rd, 1931, in Chicago to Mary and Steve Paxinos. She married her friend and love, John Lazanas, who preceded her in death in 2016.
Gloria was well known and loved as a kindergarten teacher at Peter Hoy and later Madison Elementary School. Gloria had many friends and cherished her relationships with people. She was known for her bread and biscotti, which she baked regularly and gave away to friends and neighbors. Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32—“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Gloria is survived by her sisters Becky Georgas, Elaine Loumbus, sister-in-law Liz, daughter Georganne Zeiger, son Steve Lazanas, three grandchildren; John, Mary, & Sarah, a great-grandchild and her many nephews and nieces. All of these she loved and touched deeply.
Please join us celebrating her life Saturday April 2, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 105 W. Maple in Lombard.

LAURENCE RIES
Laurence Ries, 99, of Lombard, died on Jan. 2, 2022.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m.at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery Chapel, 1S510 Winfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

ALVIN R. SAMPSON
Alvin Richard “Rich” Sampson, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Lombard on Jan. 7, 2022.
Memorial service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 23, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

DOROTHY A. SERANKO
Dorothy A. Seranko, age 82, a 55-year resident of Lombard, died January 4, 2022.
Dorothy was the beloved wife of 59 years of Raymond “Ray”; loving mother of Thomas (Julie) Seranko, Donna Seranko and Sharon (John) Conley; adored grandmother of Kelly (Zach) Kaufman, Emily (fiancée Tom) Seranko, Bradley Benes, John Conley, Paul Benes, Matthew Conley, Megan Seranko, Sarah Conley, Mary Grace Conley, Daniel Conley, Samuel Conley and the late Annie Seranko; sister of the late Robert (Alice) Donahue and the late Rita Murphy; sister in law of LaVerne Seranko and William (Lucia) Seranko; and cousin, aunt and friend of many.
Dorothy was a loving companion and mother to her three beautiful children. She loved cooking and baking for her family.
Dorothy loved to travel and had been to many places, including Hawaii, Alaska and Ireland. She was a fantastic host of their 4th of July Rib Roast and looked forward to it every year.
Dorothy was a member of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) at St. Pius X Church in Lombard for many years and was the CCW Woman of the Year in 2003. She was also a member of the Villa Park Junior Women’s Club.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 14, at 12 p.m. at St. Pius X Church, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dorothy’s name may be made to the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607; or to St. Pius X Church, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard. IL 60148.
Arrangements by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.org or 888-629-0094.

ARTHUR H. STILLWELL, JR.
Arthur Henry Stillwell, Jr., age 79, of Lake James, Fremont, Indiana, formerly of Villa Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home, on Saturday, January 8, 2022, with his family by his side.
He was born on January 5, 1943, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Arthur Henry and Ann Marie (Detloff) Stillwell.
Art married Wanda Galyean on December 17, 1975. in Wheaton, Illinois.
He was a Police Officer for Villa Park, Illinois, Police Department for 32 years, retiring in 2005.
Art was a longtime resident on Lake James, building his home on Lake James with many of his friends’ help.
He enjoyed boating, water skiing, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda “Dolly” Stillwell of Lake James, Fremont, Indiana, children, Dawn Marie (Jim) Anderson of Houston, Texas, Julie Ann Stillwell of Knoxville, Tennessee, Mark Arthur (Karen) Stillwell of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Steven Arthur (Georgia) Stillwell of Aurora, Illinois, and David Allen Stillwell of Rockford, Illinois, eight grandchildren, sister, April Joy Herron of Lake James, Fremont, Indiana, and his beloved cat, Dickey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Henry Stillwell and Ann Marie Stillwell, and sisters, Sharon Coase, and Patti Danford.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time in 2022.
Memorial donations in his memory may be directed to the Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County, P.O. Box 204, Angola, Indiana 46703.
(Condolences may be sent online to www.beamsfuneralhome.com )
Arrangements are under the direction of Beams Funeral Home of Fremont, IN 260/495-2915.

DAVID ZORN
David Zorn, of Lombard, died Jan. 9, 2022.
Arrangements are pending at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

SONDRA ZORN
Sondra Zorn, age 82, of Lombard, died Jan. 5, 2022.
Arrangements are pending at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.