John Joseph Barkowski

John Joseph Barkowski, age 59, born into eternal life on Thursday, September 28, 2017 with his loving family close by his side.

John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Cyndy (nee Mencin) Barkowski; children, Sarah (Kevin) Cuddihee, Kaitlyn (Greg) Hough, John Jr. (fiancée Tricia Long) Barkowski and Cristina Barkowski; grandchildren, Patrick and James Cuddihee; father, John H. Barkowski;  six brothers and sisters, Susan (John) Mackanin, Nancy (Mark) Sartori, Ellen (Paul) Gniadecki, Eddie Barkowski, Neil Barkowski, and Mark (Teri) Barkowski; sister-in-laws, Ann Mencin and Cheryl Mencin; nieces, Megan Sartori, Rachelle Sartori, Meghan Wilcosz, Mary Carol Barkowski, Elizabeth (Nick) Schaberg, Emily Barkowski, Natalie Barkowski and Leah Garbe; nephews, Matthew (Emily) Mackanin, Paul Mitchell (Kim) Gniadecki, Stephen (Bevin) Gniadecki, George Gniadecki, Lucas Barkowski, and Brett (Alexis) Mencin; great-nieces, Eloise Garbe, Leah Mackanin, Mae Mencin and Vale Mencin; great-nephews, Preston and Parker Gniadecki, Colton Schaberg, and Walker Garbe; as well as a host of friends.

Gone before John, marked with the sign of faith, are his mother, Mary M. (nee O’Connor) Barkowski; father and mother-in-law, Milan and Metoda (Lavric) Mencin; brother-in-laws, John Mencin and Mark Mencin; and nephew, John Peter Sartori.

John had a passion and drive for his work in the construction industry that was second to none. Each and every day he strove for excellence, efficiency and safety. He was proud of his work, his workforce and all of the bridges, roadways and tunnels he built in the Chicagoland area. John also consulted on many projects out of state and even traveled as far as New Zealand to procure the right and necessary equipment for the job.

John was a lover of nature and an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing as his way of connecting with Mother Nature. He shared this passion with his wife, children, brothers, nephews and friends as often as possible.

John was an advisor to many.  He had a way of listening and relating to people and their trials that few people have.

In lieu of food and flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105) in memory of John Barkowski #11074457 or to St. Mary’s Slovenian Catholic Mission (P.O. Box 607, Lemont, IL 60439) would be appreciated.

A celebration of John’s life will begin on Friday, October 6, 2017 with a memorial visitation at S.S. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Lemont where the family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary at 10:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Orland Park.

Visit John’s memorial page for full obituary and tributes at

www.tezakfuneralhome.com/notices/John-Barkowski

or for information, 815-722-0524.

Arrangements entrusted to Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life.