EUGENIA S. BARTOSZEK
Eugenia S. Bartoszek, nee Jarocki, age 89, of Lombard died on her birthday, Dec. 30, 2019.
Visitation and prayers were held Monday, Jan. 6, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, and proceeded to Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 114 S. Elizabeth, Lombard. Interment followed at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for more information.
L. FRANCES BRACH
L. Frances Brach, nee Janda, 92, of Lombard. Beloved wife of the late John Brach; loving mother of Mari (Jim) Payton, Bonnie (Carl) Janssens, Nanci (Bill) Greene, Su (Ed) Garvey and Lisa (Bruce) Gosen; devoted grandmother of 17; great-grandmother of 19; fond sister of 5; aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Frances and John were founding members of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lombard.
Visitation and funeral services were held Friday January 3, and Saturday January 4. Interment Assumption Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Vincent de Paul Society are appreciated.
Funeral Info: www.knollcrest.net or 630-932-1500.
RUBEN CALVILLO
Ruben Calvillo, of Villa Park, loving husband of the late Anne (née Robles), passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2019, at the age of 92. Born in Chicago, in September of 1927, he was the third of 11 children born to Joseph and Mary (née Jaso) Calvillo. Cherished father of Annette Weihman (late Michael) and the late Ruanne Vasquez (John). His strong spirit will be carried forever in the hearts of his grandchildren Anthony M. Moreno, and Alyssa Nichols (Jason Nichols).
Much loved great-grandfather of Mikayla, Olivia, AJ, and Shelby Moreno. Fond brother, godfather, uncle, and friend to many. Ruben “Papa” was a proud Navy veteran, serving during World War II and stationed in Japan in 1945. Growing up in his large family, Ruben learned the value of hard work — an attribute that became a cornerstone of his character.
Some of his fondest memories of his youth in Chicago include time on the ball field at Fuller Park on 47th Street and celebrating with family and neighborhood friends at Berger’s afterwards.
When he returned from serving his country, a friend introduced Ruben to Anne Marie Robles. He would later explain that he fell in love with her at first sight.
Married at 21, Ruben began his career at John F. Cuneo publishing as a bookbinder and later machine operator. Throughout his 40+ years there he made countless friends and earned the nickname “El Profesor.” Ruben’s education extended beyond his formal schooling, encompassing his interests in history, language, culture, and music.
His passion for music developed early and was fueled by the pleasure he found in bringing people together. A self-taught guitarist, his strings served as Ruben’s voice. Together, he and Anne told many stories and shared heart-felt emotions with family and friends through song. Upon Anne’s passing, that voice was silenced for 12 years, until, Christmas 2018; when once again, family inspired him to speak, through his granddaughter’s new guitar.
A man who took great pride in his family, Ruben wasn’t afraid to share his feelings. Last month, while coming to terms with declining health and adapting to a new environment, he made sure to tell each person at the table how proud he was of their efforts and achievements in life. He encouraged everyone to reach beyond themselves spiritually, specifically recommending attending church, of any kind, to get a sense of something bigger than oneself. That Thanksgiving moment wasn’t just special for the family, but inspired an employee of the facility to respectfully interrupt to tell Ruben what a special man he was and what a wonderful family he had created.
If the measure of a man is how he is remembered by those with whom he lived, thoughts of Ruben will be summoned often and by many. Whether in the sweet sounds of a guitar, a kind word of encouragement, or the soft pat of a hand, he will remain with all who loved him. Like the smile on his face when opening a cerveza fria on a warm day, thoughts of him will refresh the soul. In Ruben’s final days he was under the care of Clarendale of Addison and Heartland Hospice. The family would like to thank them for going above and beyond in their care.
Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Jan 4, at St. Alexander Church, 300 S. Cornell, Villa Park. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements provided by Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave, Villa Park. Info: 630-832-4161.
DOROTHY MURATORE
Dorothy A. Muratore, 83, of Lombard, passed away on Jan. 2, 2020, from Alzheimer’s Disease.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 8, from with prayers from Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, proceeding to Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Interment followed at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for more information.
CLIFFORD SMITH
Clifford “Smitty” Smith, age 74, of Lombard, died Dec. 31, 2019.
Smitty was the loving brother of Randall (Mary Kay) of Aurora; dearest uncle of Jenifer Smith of Streamwood, Amanda (Matthew) Consalvo of Ohio and Wendy (Kyle) Mason of Ohio; great-uncle of Brooklyn, Rosalie, Bella and Lincoln; many other relatives. Smitty was the son of the late Rosalie Smith, nee Mahy.
A Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 9, from 2-8 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Jan. 10, with Smitty lying-in-State from 10 a.m. until the time of a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln Ave., Lombard. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens South, Oak Lawn.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 2151 S. Lincoln Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
HAROLD STETSON
Harold Alexander Stetson, born April 10, 1932, in Ramsayville, Ontario, Canada, passed peacefully at his home in Lombard, surrounded by family on December 30, 2019.
A Memorial Gathering will be held Friday, January 10, from 3-8 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 11, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St, Lombard. Interment private at Forest Hill Cemetery, Glen Ellyn.
Harold was raised to value faith and family and learned at an early age the value of hard work, persistence and loyalty. The fourth of eight siblings, he was a skilled peacemaker and ever patient. In 1952, he wed his childhood sweetheart, Grace Elizabeth Walkem. Soon after, they moved to the United States where Harold worked to put himself through college at Eastern Nazarene in Quincy, Massachusetts, where his daughter, Suzanne Joy, and son, Harold David, were born.
Harold was employed by Textron, which transferred him and his family to Ohio in 1961 and then to Lombard in 1969. He started his own business, Stetson and Associates, continuing his successful career in fastener sales. He ultimately became a partner in Valley Fastener Group, LLC, and retired in 2003, after spending nearly 50 years in the fastener industry.
He was highly respected for his marketing and sales skills, technical knowledge and ability to provide customers with engineering solutions to their fastener or assembly equipment problems. He was an excellent teacher of his craft, and a role model to many.
Harold was an active member of the church throughout his life, and always played a starring role in the church choir with his beautiful tenor voice. His faith in God was his anchor, and he demonstrated what it means to live a Christ-centered life. He was always quick to offer a helping hand or an encouraging word and never passed judgment. He remained an avid student of history and politics throughout his life and loved to read and travel the world with his family and friends. He enjoyed watching hockey, especially the Chicago Blackhawks, and cheering on the Cubs. In recent years, Harold became a self-proclaimed “Florida boy” where he enjoyed a respite from the bitter Chicago winters.
Above all else, Harold was deeply committed to his family, especially his beloved wife of 67 years, Grace Stetson. He was the leader of his family, a pillar of calm and strength, and the quintessential role model. He was an adoring father, grandfather and great grandfather, and loved his siblings, as well as members of his extended family and dear friends.
He leaves behind his wife Grace; his daughter Suzanne and her husband Jay Hoffman; his son Harold David Stetson and his wife Mary Sue; his grandchildren, Scott Stetson and wife Kari, Elizabeth Hoffman Schmeltz and her husband Bobby, Jim Stetson, Bill Stetson, Kristen Hoffman Anderson and her husband Austin; great-grandchildren, Thora and Indigo Stetson, and Jack Schmeltz; his dear siblings, Bill, Fraser and Dorothea Stetson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
He is preceded in death by his loving parents Harold Edwin and Lola Mildred (Boyd) Stetson; and his cherished siblings Donald, Marion, Harvey and Glenn Stetson.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be given in Harold’s honor to either of the two churches that were most meaningful to Harold.
First United Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148; or New Life Lutheran Church, 8010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
NICHOLAS M. STRANGE
Nicholas M. Strange, of Oak Brook, passed away recently at the age of 36. Beloved son of Karen Strange. Cherished grandson of Josephine Jannuzio Strange and Louie (Daniella) Strange. Loving nephew of Louie (Sally) Strange and Michael (Cathy) Strange. Dear cousin of Michael Jr. (Katlin) Strange, Katelyn (Brian) Jelinek, Joshua and Michelle Strange. Funeral Mass was held Friday, Jan. 3, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 300 N. Westmore Ave, Villa Park. Memorials appreciated to Du Page Easter Seals, 830 S. Addison Ave., Villa Park. Arrangements provided by Steuerle Funeral Home 350 S. Ardmore Ave. Villa Park. Info: 1-630-832-4161.
