BARBARA JEAN EDSTROM
Barbara Jean Edstrom, 90, of Villa Park, Illinois, departed to be in the glory of the Lord on January 17, 2021, while staying with daughter Donna Jean Mikal in Valley Center, California for cancer treatments at the University of San Diego Cancer Hospital.
Barbara Jean McKnight was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, on June 9, 1930, to Custer and Frieda (Bauer) McKnight the oldest of three children. She grew up during the depression and World War II and was raised in a God-fearing Christian home. She attended Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn for her first two years and then the family moved to Bellwood, where she graduated from Proviso High School, Maywood, in 1948.
She then worked for Scripture Press Publications in Chicago, until her marriage to Robert “Bob” “Whitey” Edstrom on July 26, 1952. They had two daughters, Donna Jean Marie and Roberta Lynn. When the empty nest approached, she was hired for customer service by several law firms due to her outgoing and sociable personality. She retired in 1992 from Thatcher Oaks Awnings in Elmhurst, and traveled with her husband to many World War U.S. Navy reunions all over the United States. She was an active member of Grace Bible Church in Elmhurst. She loved singing and became an active singer with the traveling ladies choir, the Golden Lights, for many years.
In 2010, she became reacquainted with a high school sweetheart, Cyler Wenberg. They were married in 2011 and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon. In 2012, Cy passed away. Barb moved back to her home in Villa Park, with her daughter Roberta Lynn McClain and family.
Never one to complain about her circumstances, Barbara remained positive and sociable always. She had countless friends, many of her closest friends she considered her extended family, and she was the example of a faithful prayer warrior to the end! A true matriarch, she will be remembered for loving the Lord and for her strong example of belief and faith in the Lord to her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob Edstrom, brother Paul McKnight, husband Cy Wenberg, daughter Roberta Lynn (Edstrom) McClain, son-in-law Randall (Randy) McClain and two great grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by daughter Donna Jean (John) Mikal; Sister Donna (Bob) Rice; 10 grandchildren, Luke (Jesse) McClain, Kaitlin (Matt) Rasband, Larissa (Tim) Lawless, Emma McClain, John (Darcy) Mikal, Sarah (Jason) Poole, Tim (Amy) Mikal, Anna (Marshall) Ferrell, Philip Mikal, Lydia Mikal; and 15 great grandchildren, Wyatt, Jase, Rhett, Lannah, Jane, Jonas, Grayson, Hailey, Stephanie, Kevin, Raymond, Matthew, Jaxon, and Jace.
Celebration of life service will be held at Grace Bible Church, Elmhurst, Illinois on Friday May 28, 2021. For further details, please contact family via email address: [email protected].
KENNETH M. GRICKI
Kenneth M. Gricki, 74 years old, a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in the Vietnam War. A life-long resident of Lombard, Illinois, he loved fishing with his brothers, watching fishing shows on TV, and old-school wrestling–going to live events or just watching matches on TV were equally entertaining to him. Baron von Raschke was just one in the long list of his favorite wrestlers over the years. He loved watching Dog the Bounty Hunter whenever it aired on TV and he got the biggest kick out of meeting him in person when the Dog came to Batavia in 2008 to give an inspirational speech to the residents at Mooseheart.
He was a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and baseball great Ernie Banks. Kenny had a great sense of humor and a great way of telling stories. With his many facial expressions and arm movements, he’d get quite animated – which always made it fun to watch while listening to him!
He loved dogs, and you could be sure he’d always have a dog bone or two (or ten) hidden in his pockets for whenever his next door neighbors dogs would come outside. He had an inquiring mind and amazed you with the amount of things he knew! Ask him about anything, be it movies, sports, singers, actors, whatever! You wanted to know something? He’d be your go-to source.
Kenny was the proud and devoted second oldest son to the late John and Lorraine Gricki. A cherished brother and brother-in-law to Larry (and Mary), Pam (and Stan) Powell, Sandy (and Brian) McCann, and Paul, his youngest brother. His oldest brother Johnny and two infant brothers, Tommy and Billy preceded him in death. A fun Uncle to Stanley Powell Jr., Jason (and Kate) Powell, Scott Powell (and Erin Talley), Matthew Powell, and Sharon Powell, a fond nephew to his Aunt Kay Gricki, cousin to Mikie (and Janis) Gricki, Diane Geier, Meghan (and Matt) Dahm and a Great Uncle to so many young ones…
Kenny was once asked what words of wisdom would he want to share for posterity’s sake – his answer? “Never give up the faith.” Well, we won’t Kenny. Though your family will miss you terribly, until we meet up again, we’ll keep the faith.
Funeral services were Tuesday, April 6, with from Brust Funeral Home to Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard, Interment followed at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL.
In lieu of flowers (due to COVID-19,) memorials in Kenny’s name to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674, would be appreciated.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for info.
PATRICIA H. MATZEK
Patricia H. Matzek, nee Hill, age 93, of Lombard, passed away March 29, 2020.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 155 S. Main St., Lombard. Pre-registration is required for the Memorial Service at church by using the registration link on Mrs. Matzek’s obituary on the Brust Funeral Home website. There is a maximum of 40 people at the service. Masks are required.
Mrs. Matzek is survived by her loving children, Paula Matzek of Mt. Prospect, Elizabeth (James) Boaz of Colorado, and Peter (Salete) of Hayward, California; her dear sister-in-law, Martha Kirchman of La Grange; her brother-in-law Peter Johnson of Moraga, California; fond aunt of 13. Mrs. Matzek is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, the late L. Tucker.
Mrs. Matzek was a resident of Lombard for 66 years. She graduated from South Shore High School in Chicago. Mrs. Matzek was an active member of First United Methodist Church, in Lombard, and United Methodist Women.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to First United Methodist Church would be appreciated.
Info www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
JOHN R. SICHROVSKY
John R. Sichrovsky of Glen Ellyn, IL, passed away on March 25, ending a valiant fight with cancer.
Born Oct. 1, 1959, John lived in Lombard for many years. Beloved son of Constance and the late Richard Sichrovsky, John is survived by his two brothers, Stephen (Kathy) and James; three sisters Kathy Lehuta (Jon, deceased), Claudia Stlaske (David) and Barbara Bombliss, plus many dear nieces and nephews. Two loves—his cat and the family dog—gave him joy in his final years.
John worked in forestry and other trades before choosing a career in concrete construction “making things that last”… residential and commercial foundations and driveways.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Celebration in John’s honor will be at a later date. For more information and message guest book, visit www. dupagecremations.com.
JOHN SIDOR
John Sidor, 94, of Lombard, Beloved husband of the late Frances, nee Rzeszutko; loving father of Donna Sidor, Christine (Dan) Matasek, and Pamela Sidor; devoted grandfather of Jessica and Luke; fond brother of Zofia Sandrzyk, Anna (the late Anatol) Gut, Isabella (Ron) Ramocki, Christine (Marion) Bandola; uncle of many nieces and nephews; he is also preceded in death by seven additional brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 6, from Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, to St. Alexander Catholic Church, 300 S. Cornell Road, Villa Park. Interment Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to the Wounded Warrior Project are appreciated.
