Richard C. Vlastnik, 90, Former North Riverside mayor
Richard C. Vlastnik, a resident of North Riverside for 50 years, died Jan. 6, 2010 at the Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City, Nev., where he had lived since last May.
Mr. Vlastnik, who served as a village trustee in the 1970s and as mayor of North Riverside from 1977-81, was born Jan. 3, 1920 in Chicago and grew up in Berwyn, graduating from Morton High School in Cicero.
After a couple of years studying at a community college, he took a job in his uncle’s bank. But that career path was put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he became a medic and dental technician.
According to his daughter, Carole Kamin, Mr. Vlastnik was stationed first in England and Scotland, where he was an ambulance driver, and then participated in the Allied invasion of Western Europe, landing on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.
Mr. Vlastnik crossed France and Belgium during his time in the Army. He received the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with two bronze battle stars and in 1994 was a recipient of the Jubilee of Liberty Medal, given on the 60th anniversary of D-Day to U.S. veterans of the Normandy campaign by the government of France.
After the war, he married Clara L. Kurek on Nov. 24, 1945 and the couple built a home on 10th Avenue in North Riverside. Their only child, Carole, was born in 1947.
Mr. Vlastnik worked for International Harvester as a market analyst, first in Melrose Park and then at the Broadview parts depot, for 28 years before retiring in 1978.
Despite having a full-time job at Harvester, Carole Kamin recalled her father taking a second and sometimes third job around the holidays so the family could take a nice vacation each summer.
“He was always busy, yet very fond of his family,” Kamin said. “He would take an extra job or two at holidays to put away money for those vacations.”
Mr. Vlastnik was also very active at Mater Christi Church as a member of the Holy Name Society and as a minister of care. He was also a member of the North Riverside VFW Post #6869, of which he was a past commander.
As North Riverside was entering its commercial boom in the 1970s, Mr. Vlastnik became involved in village politics. He served two terms as a trustee before being elected mayor in 1977. He was also a past president and vice president of the Proviso Township Municipal League.
In 2003, Mr. Vlastnik moved to the British Home after suffering a broken hip in a fall and finally moved to Nevada to be near his daughter and grandchildren in 2009.
Clara Vlastnik, his wife of 56 years, preceded Mr. Vlastnik in death. He is survived by his daughter, Carole (William) Kamin; his grandchildren, Scott Kamin, Steve (Anna) Kamin and Nicole Kamin; his nieces and nephews, Mark (Annie) Vlastnik, Barbara (Tim) Leahey and Donna Brazulis; his great nephews and great nieces, Curtis Vlastnik, Michael Leahey, Courtney Vlastnik and Katie Leahey; and his brothers-in-law, John C. Kurek and Walter (Dorothy) Brazulis.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry (the late Blanche) Vlastnik, and his brother-in-law, Charles (the late Jennie) Lukasik.
Services have been held. Memorial contributions were appreciated to Loyola Hospital Pulmonary and Cardiac research, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, Ill. 60153.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Edwin J. Broderick, 54, Active in Boy Scouts
Edwin J. “Jay” Broderick, 54, of Brookfield, died Jan. 14, 2010.
Mr. Broderick was born on June 8, 1955 to Raymond and Jean (nee Stuth) Broderick, one of eight children in the family.
He was married for 25 years to Nancy Broderick and had six children. An active member of St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, Mr. Broderick was also active with Boy Scout Troop 59 and enjoyed skiing, volleyball, camping and walking.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Jacquee (Christopher Suderski) Broderick, Julie (Michael) Tarvin, Jason Broderick, Timothy Broderick and Christopher Broderick; his grandchildren, Amelia Augustine, Marc Augustine and Grace Tarvin; his siblings, Timothy Broderick, Jeff (Val) Broderick, Pamela (Joe) Mazurek, Barbara (Rich) Quiros, Kevin (Sheila) Broderick, Laura (Doyle LeGrand) Broderick and Margaret (William Osley) Broderick; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Michael Broderick.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 18 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield. Memorial contributions were appreciated to CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, www.curesearch.org.
Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North riverside, handled arrangements.
Jeanette M. Jakubczak, 86, Western Electric retiree
Jeanette M. Jakubczak, 86, died Jan. 5, 2010 in Brodhead, Wis. She was a former longtime resident of North Riverside.
She was born June 24, 1923 and worked for 39 years at the Western Electric Company in Cicero prior to retirement.
Ms. Jakubczak is survived by her siblings, Richard (Dolores) Jakubczak, Stanley Jakubczak Jr. and Nancy (Richard) Hale; her longtime companion, Roman Latowski; her nephews and nieces, Mark, Chris and Cathy Lockwood; and many great nephews and great nieces.
A funeral service was held Jan. 16 at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home in North Riverside, followed by entombment at Christ the King Mausoleum in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, N.Y. 10018.
Charmayne J. Mack, 65, Retired college professor
Brookfield resident Charmayne J. Mack (nee Jesik) died Jan. 14, 2010 at Hinsdale Hospital at the age of 65.
Born in Chicago on Nov. 30, 1944 to Albert and Marion A. (nee Jacura) Jesik, she received her bachelor’s degree in biology from DePaul University in Chicago and followed that up with a master’s degree from Roosevelt University. For her doctoral studies, she headed east, obtaining her Ph.D. in biology from New York University.
For 19 years she was a professor teaching anatomy and physiology to undergraduate nursing students at Dominican University in River Forest, retiring in 2003.
Ms. Mack is survived by her husband, Stephen R. Mack; her children, Suzanne Mack, and Kenneth Mack; her brothers, Julian (Diana) Jesik and David Jesik; and her nieces, Angela Barth and Christina Jesik.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Jan. 18 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in LaGrange Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to a favorite charity.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Blanche Rybka, 85, Beauty salon owner
Blanche Rybka (nee Vohen), 85, died Jan. 11, 2010 at Bon Secours Maria Manor in St. Petersburg, Fla. She formerly lived in Brookfield, Berwyn and LaGrange Park.
Ms. Rybka was born in Chicago on May 22, 1924 to Frank and Josefa (nee Toman) Vohen. She married John Rybka and operated a beauty salon. Mr. Rybka preceded his wife in death.
She is survived by her son, the Rev. John S. (Marjorie) Rybka of Pinellas Park, Fla.; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and her sisters-in-law, Stephany Pasciak and LaVerne Rybka.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Jan. 16 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to Bon Secours Maria Manor, 10300 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, Fla. 33716 or the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Fla. 33760.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
