Obituaries

Luis E. Castro, 61; loving brother of Laura (the late Edwin) Leon and Maria (Jose) Vazquez; cherished uncle of Kelly (Michael), Eduardo, David and Jalil; dear great uncle of Aleah and Andrew; fond cousin, friend and father figure to many; Visitation Tuesday 3-8 PM and Wednesday 9-11 AM with Funeral Service at 11 AM at Gibbons Family Funeral Home, 5917 W. Irving Park (1/2 Block of Austin). Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery. For info 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com

Joseph M. Hennessy, 48, died unexpectedly. He was the beloved son of the late Noreen nee Dillon and Joseph T. Hennessy. Joe was born in Chicago and adopted as an infant where he was received with great joy into his family. Growing up Joe developed an interest in trains and airplanes which he carried with him into adulthood.  Joe’s happy place was the family cottage in MI. As a child, he spent summers in MI and as an adult would spend long weekends at the lake enjoying fishing and swimming.  Joe is survived by his sisters, Debbie (Jim) Collins, Michelle Kenat; nieces and nephews, Jimi, Jessica (Sean), Amy, Michael, Laura, and Wally; great nieces Evelyn and Arden; former brother-in-law Walter Kenat and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  All services private. The family asks that in memory of Joe, you do a kind deed for someone as a way to celebrate and honor his life. Arrangements entrusted to Gibbons Family Funeral Home. For info 773-777-3944 or www.GFFH.com.

Kurt J. Anstett, 62, passed away suddenly on February 22, 2023. He left behind his loving wife, Denise (Loy); most cherished sons, Ryan and Aidan; beloved niece Erika; dear sisters, Rita and Veronica; fun-loving cousin to many; loyal friend to countless. He was preceded in death by his faithful parents, James and Loretta (Sugrue) Anstett and brother Greg.
Kurt was a warm and generous man to everyone he met. He believed in paying it forward. He often picked up the restaurant checks of strangers or in the Starbucks drive thru. A true people person, Kurt’s personality shone through when he was in a crowd – whether it was in his church community, at a sporting event, or celebrating with his family.  He was so proud of his son for joining the Marines, his youngest son’s success on the basketball court, and his niece buying her first home. Family was important- Kurt would do anything for his sisters. He often took them out for breakfast or grocery shopping.  Kurt would often brag about his sister’s signature sweet potatoes. Kurt was a “foodie”, he appreciated a good Merlot, Harrington’s corned beef, soup of all types, and Starbucks. He enjoyed topping off a meal with a good cigar.  He mastered the art of dad jokes but had not mastered texting (too often he would send garbled messages that needed a voicemail to explain them).
Kurt was a strong believer in using cash for everything. That also meant his pockets would fill with change, and he distributed that change everywhere he rested- the couch, the counter, the car. We will be finding coins for years to come. After his sons, Kurt’s passions revolved around sports. Watching his sons and niece play in any sport was his joy. A dedicated coach, he spent hours developing drills for his teams, making them master them through relentless practice. As an umpire, he tried to impart skills in the players, explaining why the calls were made with tips on how to change them. He loved to spend time with his friends and family on the golf course as much as possible. He was a lifelong Bears fan and season ticket holder, and a great pal to Lucky. Da Bears! He was a man who lived large, made a tremendous impact on everyone he met, and will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral Saturday 10 AM from Gibbons Family Funeral Home 5917 W. Irving Park Rd (1/2 Block East of Austin) to St Edward Church. Mass 10:30 AM. Interment Maryhill Cemetery. Visitation Friday 3-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, please take a moment and hug your spouse, spend time with your kids, and call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. If you’d like to donate or sponsor a youth team in your area in Kurt’s honor. For info 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com

Rita Bakewell, 88, passed away on February 20, 2023. Rita was a warrior and an inspiration to many, overcoming an unbelievable set of physical obstacles. Rita could find humor in nearly anything, and she loved to spend time with friends and family. A graduate of Loyola University and the University of California, San Francisco, Rita dedicated her life to public health. Beginning her career as a nurse in Hawaii, Rita returned home to Chicago in the early 1970s. Rita served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Anixter Center, and she led the nursing and public health groups at the Cook County Department of Public Health. Rita was active in the arts, and a devoted attendee of the Lyric Opera. Rita is survived by her nephews Chris and Keith, who she helped raise, as well as her beloved cousin and travel partner, Anne McClellan. Visitation Wednesday from 4:30 – 6:30 PM at Gibbons Family Funeral Home, 5917 W. Irving Park Rd. (1/2 Block East of Austin). Friends and Family will meet for burial Thursday 10:30 AM at St. Boniface Cemetery, 4901 N. Clark St. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Anixter Center. For info 773-777-3944

 

 

 

Sheila P. Johnson nee Downes, 81; native of Kimmage, Dublin, Ireland; beloved wife of the late Terrance J.; loving mother of Colleen, Brian, Sean, Erin Ahearn and Kelly (Jerry) Gaskin; cherished Granny of Brian II and Shannon Ahearn, Ciara, Aidan and Cian Gaskin and Tommy Ahearn; devoted daughter of the late James and Sheila nee McGovern “Julia” Downes; dear sister of Sean (Jean) Downes, Phil (Pat) Duffy, Jim (Anna) Downes, the late Rosemary (Chris) Cannon, Patricia and Dolores Downes; fond aunt to many nieces and nephews and friend to all. Friends and Family will meet Saturday February 25^th at 11:30 AM for Memorial Mass at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 320 S Washington Ave, Park Ridge, IL 60068. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Shriners Children’s Chicago. For info 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com

John Patrick O’Brien; beloved husband and best friend for 42 years of Beverly nee Mock; loving father of Kevin (Katherine) and Michael; devoted son of the late Patrick and Josie; cherished brother of Patrick (Joan), Eileen (Bob) Hageman, Maureen (Tom) Hellstern and Margaret; special uncle of Kelly (Patrick), Patrick, Claire, Brendan, and Ian; great uncle to Brayden and Makenna. John was a proud member of IUOE 399 and worked for 35 years at Jardine Water Purification Plant for the City of Chicago. John had an infectious smile, was funny, loved a good prank and was truly the kindest person and a cherished friend to many. He was an avid fisherman and a lifelong Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and Chicago White Sox fan. A memorial celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 6 until 10 PM at The Fairway Banquets, 6676 W. Howard St, Niles.

Deacon Eugene L. Kummerer, Jr, ordained May 11, 2019; cherished son of Margaret nee Berry and Eugene, Sr; loving brother of Brian (Karrie), Jeff (Wendy), Richard (Stephanie) and Mary Pat (Jeff) Lunkes; adoring uncle of Sara, Katie, Tillie, Samantha, Jenna, Brittany, Alison, Megan, Jack, Mackenzie and Molly; dear nephew of Patricia Berry and the late Rosemarie Giannini; fond cousin of many; Visitation Tuesday 10:00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 PM at St. Pascal Church (Melvina & Irving Park Rd). Entombment All Saints Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Gibbons Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. For info 773-777-3944 or www.GFFH.com

Gerald Adamek, 86; beloved husband of the late Nancy; loving father of Laura, Susan (Jeff) Griggs and the late Ralph; cherished grandfather of Margaret, Kathryn and Julianna Griggs; fond brother of Carol (the late William) Wedel, Tom (Noel), the late Louis Jr. (the late Dolly), Richard (the late Mildred), Roberta (the late Richard) Prokop, and Florence (Bill) Fitzgerald; dear uncle, cousin and friend to many;  Visitation Monday 3-8 PM and Tuesday 9 AM until time of Service 10:30 AM at Gibbons Family Funeral Home, 5917 W. Irving Park Rd. (1/2 Block East of Austin). Interment St. Peter Cemetery. For info 773-777-3944 or www.gffh.com.

Dawn M. Donovan; cherished daughter of the late Margaret nee Shaughnessy and James; loving sister of Rev. James, Mary Kay (Phillip) Falson, Margaret (David) Wilson and Catherine (Kyle) Speer; dear aunt of Kevin (Molly), Phillip (Kerissa), Patrick (Nineveh), Kelly, Ryan (Cassandra) , Danny, Kaitlyn, Lily, and Henry; fond grand-aunt of Olivia and Nora; Funeral Monday 11 AM from Gibbons Family Funeral Home 5917 W. Irving Park Rd (1/2 Block East of Austin) to St. Robert Bellarmine Church. Mass 11:30 AM. Interment All Saints Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 3-8 PM. Longtime CPS teacher. Proud member of Our Lady Victory Parish. Longtime SPRED volunteer at OLV. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to SPRED ministry (www.spred-chicago.org). For info 773-777-3944 or www.GFFH.com