George Bacos, 84, Precision inspector
North Riverside resident George Bacos, 84, died Sept. 27, 2008 in Forest Park.
Born on Dec. 31, 1923, to Angelos and Bessie (nee Koutselas) Bacos, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, winning the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
After the war, Mr. Bacos worked for many years as a precision inspector in manufacturing plants.
He is survived by his brother, Christopher Bacos, of North Riverside; his sister, Helen (Wayne) Tezak, of California; and his nephews, William and David Tezak.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S. Central Ave. in Chicago, followed by interment at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove.
Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.
Joseph J. Buchta, 80, Former Brookfield trustee
Joseph J. Buchta, a resident of Brookfield for more than 50 years, died Sept. 19, 2008 at the Walnut Grove Nursing Home in Morris. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Buchta graduated from Lincoln School in Brookfield in 1941 and from Morton High School in Cicero in 1945. Married at Our Lady of the Mount Church in Cicero on June 12, 1948 to Dorothy M. Hermann, the couple moved to Brookfield in 1954.
For 35 years he worked as an instrumental electrician for Universal Oil Products in McCook, retiring in 1980.
During his years in the village, Mr. Buchta was very involved in civic life, serving two terms on the Brookfield Plan Commission and two terms on the Brookfield Police and Fire Commission.
In 1983, Mr. Buchta was elected to the first of two terms as a village trustee.
In recognition of his service, in 1987, Mr. Buchta received the Senior Citizen Achievement Award from Cong. William Lipinski. In 1993, he received the Dedicated Volunteer Award from then-State Sen. Judy Baar Topinka.
Mr. Buchta was on the board of directors for the Suburban Area Agency on Aging. He also represented Brookfield on the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) Council.
Mr. Buchta is survived by his wife, Dorothy M. Buchta; his daughters, Cynthia Buchta, Carol Buchta, Cheryl (Paul) Hacholski and Christine (Tim) Kancler; and his grandchildren, Martin Hacholski, Mathew Kancler and Kristina Kancler.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 24 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, followed by interment at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the St. Barbara Office of Pastoral care, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, Ill. 60513.
Johnson Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Antonia C. Gomez, 80, Sears retiree
Riverside resident Antonia C. Gomez, 80, died Sept. 25, 2008.
Born on Sept. 29, 1927, she was married to Vincente Gomez, who preceded his wife in death, and worked as a packer for the Sears Roebuck Co. before retiring.
She is survived by her son, Vincent (Henrietta) Gomez; her daughters, Conchita (Henry) Gardunio and Christina (Gerald) Gomez; and seven grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 29 at St. Mary Church in Riverside, followed by interment at St. Mary cemetery in Evergreen Park.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, Ill. 60631 or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Way, Suite 250, Dallas, Texas, 75244.
Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.
Harry Heilenbach, 101, Lifelong White Sox fan
Brookfield resident Harry Heilenbach died Sept. 25, 2008 at the age of 101.
Mr. Heilenbach, a lifelong White Sox fan, was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian. He is survived by his children, Carol (Gene) Davidsmeyer and Dale (Ruth) Heilenbach; his grandchildren, Susan (Karl) Bullinger, Mark Davidsmeyer, Timothy (Ann) Heilenbach, Jason Heilenbach and Justin Heilenbach; his great grandchildren, Noah, Kate and Sam Heilenbach; and his sister, Eleanor Tuma.
A funeral service was held Sept. 27 at Ivins Funeral Home in Riverside, followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park.
Thomas Pelka, 61, Manufacturing executive
Thomas Pelka, 61, of Riverside, died Sept. 24, 2008 at Mitchell Hospital in Chicago.
He was born in Berwyn on June 19, 1947 to Chester and Genevieve “Jean” Frances (nee Smarkala) Pelka and worked as an executive at a manufacturing company.
He is survived by his wife, Natasha Pelka (nee Torres) of Riverside; his children, Christina Pelka and Rebecca Pelka; his siblings, Lawrence (Joann) Pelka of Riverside, Robert (Ursula) Pelka, Donald (Susan) Pelka and Nancy (Joseph) Bandza. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger Pelka.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 27 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in LaGrange Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield handled arrangements.