Frank R. Smutnak

Frank R. Smutnak

Age 91 of Crest Hill, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at his home with his family by his side.

Born October 4, 1932 in Joliet, Frank was a son of Joseph and Veronica Smutnak. He was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School with the class of 1951. Frank started his own barge cleaning and repair business, “Crest Hill Marine”, and was the proud owner and operator for over 35 years. In 1956 Frank married Ms. Beverly Gregory at St. Anne Catholic Church in Crest Hill. Together they would make a home and raise their family.

Frank was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church in Crest Hill. Like his name’s sake, St. Francis, he was a big animal lover. He always took time to take care of the stray cats in the neighborhood and loved his dog Scruffy. Frank was also a big sports enthusiast and life long Chicago Cubs fan. He was always so grateful to see them take the championship in his lifetime. In his free time, Frank enjoyed tending to his garden and maintaining what he described as his back yard Wrigley Field. Aside from his wife Beverly, the other woman in Frank’s life was Doris Day. He was a huge Doris Day and classic era Hollywood fan, namely John Wayne, Randolph Scott, Audie Murphy and Van Cleef in their Westerns. Beverly and Frank enjoyed spending time at their home in Arizona and spoiling the trick-or-treaters every Halloween. He always made sure to have the full-size candy bars for those that paid a visit. Frank’s favorite times were always spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Frank is survived by his children: Cissy (John) Beck, Mary (the late Daniel V.) Coronado, Greg Smutnak and Deza (Marty) McGuire; grandchildren: Erin (Brian) Nagra, Keri (Jake) Jaworski, Matthew Smutnak, Stephanie Coronado, Samantha (Cody) Flaherty, Daniel (Kayla) Coronado, Nicholas (Claire) Coronado, and Sadie, Greta, Griffin and Wilson McGuire; great-grandchildren: Jack, Elle, Andrew, Bobby, Leo, Olivia, Anna, Hudson, Kolby, Jack and June; brothers and sisters-in-law: Rita (the late Sonny) Judson, Joseph (Cathy) Gregory and Mark (Joan) Gregory, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years: Beverly Smutnak; parents: Joseph and Veronica; son: Robert Smutnak; sisters: Sr. M. Remi O.S.B., Marie Hines, Margaret Bendoraitis, Clara Baines, Ann Nicks, Terry Hornichak and Eleanore Smutnak, and brothers: Andrew, Joseph and Cyril Smutnak.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The funeral will then drive in procession to St. Anne Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate both Frank and Beverly. Interment will follow and Frank and Beverly will be laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire team at Lightways Hospice Care in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Frank’s name to Lightways Hospice Care in Joliet.