Florence V. Kus, 86, Former VFW Ladies Aux. chaplain
Orland Park resident Florence V. Kus, 86, who lived in Brookfield from 1982-96 and was active in several local organizations, died May 13, 2006 at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights.
Ms. Kus’ first husband was Henry Schrierer, who was killed in action during World War II. She later married Ben Kus Sr., with whom she raised four children. Ms. Kus spent eight years working for the U.S. Treasury Department in Chicago, and she and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1982.
Mr. Kus preceded his wife in death on Feb. 25, 1983, but Ms. Kus remained active in local groups. She was former chaplain of the Ladies Auxiliary of Brookfield VFW Post #2868, and was active at St. Barbara Parish in the Seniors Club and the Council of Catholic Women. She was also active at the Southwest Suburban Center on Aging in LaGrange.
She is survived by her sons, Ben (Laurie) Kus Jr. and Robert (Laura) Kus; her daughter, Robin (Edward) Gronowski; 10 grandchildren; and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Judy (the late Dennis) Tomczyk.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
Johnson Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Fred J. Lopatka, 91, Real estate sales pro
Naperville resident Fred J. Lopatka, who formerly lived in both Brookfield and North Riverside, died May 10, 2006 at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville. He was 91 years old.
Born in LaPorte, Ind. on Feb. 25, 1915 to Walter and Lillian Lopatka, Mr. Lopatka served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Employed in the real estate business, Mr. Lopatka was publicly honored for his achievements in real estate sales. He was also an avid animal lover.
Mr. Lopatka was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret A. Lopatka; and his brother, Thaddeus (Elaine) Lopatka.
He is survived by his daughters, Karen M. (Ken) Van Swearingen and Veronica A. (Frank) Piotrowski; and his brother, Arthur (Anne) Lopatka.
A funeral Mass was celebrated May 15 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Salesian Missions Memorial, 2 Lefevre Lane, P.O. Box 30, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10802-0030 or to a favorite mission, charity or pet charity.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Panagiota N. Velisaris, 74, Personal banker
Panagiota N. “Pat” Velisaris, 74, a resident of Brookfield, died May 7, 2006 at Manor Care of Naperville.
Born in Greece on Dec. 6, 1931 to George and Paraskevi Georgiou, Ms. Velisaris immigrated to the United States and found a home in the Midwest. She married Nicholas Velisaris, who preceded his wife in death.
She was a longtime employee of what is now known as MB Financial Bank, formerly Clyde Federal Savings and Loan and Mid-City Bank, serving as a personal banker.
Ms. Velisaris is survived by her daughter, Georgia Velisaris; her son, Chris (Mary) Velisaris; her grandchildren, Christopher Velisaris and Madalyn Velisaris; her sister, Athena Katsoula; her brother, Anastasios Georgiou; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Penelope.
A funeral service was held May 16 at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, followed by interment at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 Wolf Road, Westchester, Ill. 60154 or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 51 Locust Ave., Suite 201, New Canaan, Conn. 06840.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
