Richard W. Behounek, 70, Inspector for AT&T
Richard W. Behounek, 70, a Brookfield resident, died Nov. 5, 2005.
Mr. Behounek was born on March 23, 1935 in Chicago to James E. and Helen M. (nee Glass) Behounek. He served in the U.S. Army and was later employed as an inspector for the AT&T company.
Mr. Behounek is survived by his wife, Miroslawa “Mira” Behounek (nee Kozaczyk), of Brookfield; his mother; and his step-daughter, Margaret Wasilewska.
A funeral service, officiated by the Rev. James P. Murphy, was held Nov. 10 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park.
Jean P. Bucci, 93, Owned shoe repair store
Jean P. Bucci (nee Pennino), a Brookfield resident who owned a shoe repair store prior to her retirement, died at her home on Nov. 12, 2005 at the age of 93.
Ms. Bucci was born Dec. 23, 1911 in Chicago to Ralph and Assunta Pennino. She married Arthur J. Bucci, who preceded his wife in death.
She is survived by her son, Angelo (Diane) Bucci of Brookfield; her grandchildren, Dr. Angela Bucci-Budnik, Donna Yehl and John Bucci; her great grandchildren, Samantha Serafin, Richard Budnik, Emma Yehl, Morgan Reis, Alexander Budnik, Evan Budnik, Grace Yehl and Joseph Bucci; and her sister, Dolly Serritella.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 15 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, followed by interment in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Donald L. Van Cura, 71, Former golf club champ
Donald L. Van Cura, a Batavia resident who was raised in Riverside, died Oct. 14, 2005.
Mr. Van Cura was born in Chicago and raised in Riverside, and played football in high school and college. But golf was his passion. He was 71 years old.
He grew up on the greens of the Riverside Golf Club, where he was club champion in 1957, 1959 and 1961. He toyed with the idea of becoming a pro golfer in his twenties, but decided instead to go into business with his father.
Mr. Van Cura was president of Elgin Gabriel Sales in Elgin for 35 years, retiring in 1993. He loved to travel.
Mr. Van Cura is survived by his wife, Millie; four daughters, Laura (Jack) Frohn of Bolingbrook, Pamela (Dave) Burgeson of Joliet, Karen Van Cura of Arizona and Donna (Michael) Hawkins of Arizona; one brother, Joseph (Barbara) Van Cura of Burr Ridge; seven grandchildren; four step-children and close family friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian; his father, Joseph; and his eldest grandson, Joseph.
Funeral services were private. Interment was in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary. Memorial contributions were appreciated to the American Cancer Society.
Windridge Funeral Home, Cary, handled arrangements.
Loretta C. Vranek, 73, Cook at meat market
Loretta C. Vranek (nee Zatorski), a longtime Riverside resident, died Nov. 9, 2005 at Victorian Manor in LaGrange at the age of 73.
Ms. Vranek was born Aug. 10, 1932 in Chicago to Marie and Fred Zatorski. She married Jaroslav C. “Jerry” Vranek and worked beside her husband from 1955-88 as a cook at Jerry’s Meat Market in Cicero. Mr. Vranek preceded his wife in death.
Ms. Vranek is survived by her sons, Stephen A. (Marianne) Vranek, Robert J. Vranek, Lawrence Vranek and William J. (Aprille) Vranek; her grandchildren, Ashley Vranek, Taylour Vranek, Kaitlyn Vranek, Olivia Vranek, Ryan Vranek, Samantha Vranek, Ian Vranek and Emily Vranek; her brother, Fred (Lydia) Zatorski; her nephews, Paul Zatorski and Thomas Zatorski; and her niece, Carol Miner.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 12 at St. Mary Church in Riverside, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Loretta Vranek Grandchildren Memorial. Checks can be made out to Stephen A. Vranek with Loretta Vranek Grandchildren Memorial written on the “memo” line. Checks can be directed to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, Ill. 60513.
