Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Delbert C. Yunker, 72, died peacefully at his home May 13. He was Fire Chief for 12 years, a member of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and the Mokena Lions Club.
Retired Mokena Fire Protection District Chief Del Yunker died Monday in his home. He joined the Mokena Fire Protection District in 1964 as a firefighter and served as chief from 1979 to 1991, when he retired. Mr. Yunker's wife Joan survives along with two daughters, Karen McHenry and Kimberly Nave, two grandsons, Maverick and Dutch Nave. Visitation for Mr. Yunker will be held from 2-9 p.m. May 17 at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 19604 Wolf Road, Mokena. A funeral memorial is planned to begin at 10:30 a.m. May 18 at the funeral home. For more information, visit the website at Vandenberg Funeral Home. An active member of the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and Mokena Lions Club, "Del will be missed," said Gail Bastas, executive director of the …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Veteran Arthur J. Sitzberger served for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Mokena resident Arthur J. Sitzberger died at 80 years old Wednesday, May 8 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Sitzberger was a veteran of the Korean War, where he served in the U.S. Air Force. He was married to the late Anne Sitzberger and father of Stephen, Ken, the late Kevin, Karen, Jim and Judy. He was grandfather to nine and great-grandfather to one. Sitzberger’s full obituary can be found online at the Sun-Times Media. Stay current with Mokena news by liking Mokena Patch on Facebook
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Mr. Lester P. Farrelly Jr., 25, died suddenly April 1 of multilple injuries sustained when he was struck by an eastbound Metra Train about 5:45 a.m. April 1 in New Lenox.
The Farrelly Foundation was established April 3, two days after the death of Lester P. Farrelly Jr., a 25-year-old Lincoln-Way Central High School graduate, who was killed April 1 when he was struck by an eastbound Metra train at Townline Road. The memory page of the foundation website, which was established by Lester's twin brother, James, is intended to support twins for whom separation has been forced by unforeseen circumstances. James Farrelly writes: "There is nothing that can replace the memory, the kinship or love of a sibling. A twin is a partner, a sister a brother." James refers to his twin as the "better half." He writes: "For those that know Lester, his positive energy, up-lifting attitude and contagious smile knew no bounds…
Thursday, January 31, 2013
The Lincoln-Way East graduate died on Jan. 25 in a car crash in Wisconsin.
Devan VanWitzenburg, 22, died in a car accident in the early hours of the morning on Jan. 25. VanWitzenburg grew up in Mokena and is a graduate of Lincoln-Way East High School. Prior to the crash last Friday, she had been living in Verona, Wisc. VanWitzenburg was driving home from work at 3 a.m. when she lost control of her car on an icy country road. The car rolled into a ravine, and VanWitzenburg, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. VanWitzenburg’s family described her as considerate, loving and warm-hearted. “Devan lit up a room when she walked in,” said Linda VanWitzenburg, Devan’s stepmother. “She left a mark on everyone’s heart that ever knew her.” …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
16-year-old Austin Lempera died Monday night in New Lenox.
A Lincoln-Way Central football player died Monday night of an apparent heart attack, Will County Sheriff's Police said. New Lenox Township resident Austin Lempera, 16, was pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m. after he was taken to Silver Cross Hospital. While an autopsy is scheduled for later today by the Will County Coroner's Office, physicians at Silver Cross Hospital reported that it appears that Lempera died of an undiagnosed heart condition. Tests revealed that his condition looked as though he suffered from a cardiac arrhythmia. Lempera, a high school junior, was an offensive lineman on the Lincoln-Way Central Knights football team. The Lincoln-Way Central High School community today mourned Lempora's death. Grief counselors, …
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The visitation for Peter Garetto is scheduled to start at noon on Wednesday.
The first date between Peter Garetto and his wife, then Cheryl Metzger, happened at a place in Oak Forest called Tiffany's in 1979. Nearly two decades later, Garetto bought the building where their first date took place on Cicero Avenue and opened the Beggars Pizza location. "I didn’t really like him too much at first," Cheryl said, recalling his outwardly intimidating personality. She worked for him prior to the two dating. "But then you find out that he’s a big teddy bear.” Peter, founder and co-owner of the pizza franchise, has died. He was 55. Peter also is survived by his four children, Angelo, Susan, Peter M. and Allison; his mother Janet; siblings Laurance H. (Mary), Laura (Rich) O'Brien, Susan (Dave) Hoffman, Mary Garetto and Janet…
Monday, January 30, 2012
Chase served on the Mokena Village Board from 1963 to 1966 and again from 1983 to 1997.
Melvin Johnson
9:37 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013
I served with Delbert Yunker on Mokena Fire Protection District, from 1974 - 1982. I was a Firefighter/Photographer while serving on the Department. I first served under Del when he was Assistant Fire Chief, and then later as Fire Chief. Delbert was a Great Chief, Friend, and Brother Fire Fighter. I recall a story about what type of a person Delbert was. I was responding to the fire station that … more ›