James Janetopoulos Sr., 88, died on June 12, 2024 at his home in Brookfield. Born on July 1, 1935 in Chicago, he served as an Army Specialist 4th Class of the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. He grew up in Chicago, attending Crane Tech High School. He moved “temporarily” to Brookfield with his wife MaryLynn, and 55-plus years later, he had raised his family in a town he and his family grew to love. He retired from Amtrak at Chicago’s Union Station where he worked for over 30 years in their baggage and postal service department and also worked as a hairstylist in Chicago, a carpenter and a handyman, who was able to repair just about anything, from homes to cars, and always helped out his neighbors and friends. A lifelong fisherman and master storyteller, he will be remembered as a hardworking and generous family man and caring friend to all. He leaves behind a legacy of children and grandchildren who love him dearly.
Jim was the husband of the late MaryLynn Janetopoulos (nee Onesto); the father of Christopher (Elena) Janetopoulos, Joanne (Rick) Janetopoulos, James (Julie) Janetopoulos Jr. and Julie (Jeffery) Lauksmen; the grandfather of Genevieve Janetopoulos, Margaret Janetopoulos, Leonardo Lauksmen, Lilliana Lauksmen and James D. Janetopoulos; the son of the late Konstantinos and Gianoula (nee Bourlakos) Janetopoulos; brother of the late Olga (the late John Golden) Mehalos-Golden and the late Dolly Bosik; brother-in-law to the late Michael J. (Alice) Onesto Sr. and the late David A. (Melissa) Onesto; the uncle and great-uncle of many; and was close to Spencer (Mariane) Mehalos, Deno (Terry) Mehalos, Kathy (the late Jim) Kline, and Connie (Bob) Eggersdorf (Udstuen) and especially Barb Davenport.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 23, from 2 till 7 p.m. with the Trisagion prayer service at 5 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. (preceded by visitation at 11:30 a.m.) on June 24 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.