Matthew John Gregurich Jr.

Matthew John Gregurich Jr. of Joliet, age 92, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 17, 2025 with his family by his side. Matthew was a lifelong resident of Joliet, born to his father Matthew Gregurich Sr. and his mother Mary Gregurich (nee Kozak) on February 7, 1932.

Matthew and Barbara were married in 1954 after Matt returned from proudly serving his country in the Korean War as a member of the United States Army earning a Korean Service Medal with one Camp Star, a United Nations Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, as well as a Good Conduct Medal. The two were married for sixty-two years before Barbara’s passing in 2016. Together, they had seven children, six boys and one girl. Matt was incredibly proud of his boys and the families that they have raised, but the loss of his daughter and granddaughter did weigh heavily on his heart. Matt was employed by Material Service Corporation in Lockport, IL, and, in 1962, Matt and Barbara founded General Machine & Tool company in Crest Hill, IL where they would work side by side for over forty years. Matt was a devoted member of Saint Mary Nativity parish in Joliet. He loved going to the Croation Club where he was a proud member and could often be found listening to bands and dancing to Polkas on the weekends. Matt loved coaching his boys in baseball and basketball and enjoyed attending all of their games. He was an avid Chicago sports fan and also enjoyed his Hudson classic cars. The family would also like to offer a special note of gratitude to Mildred Riska who so compassionately cared for dad throughout his lengthy four-year battle with illness. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Matthew and Mary, his loving wife of sixty-two years, Barbara Gregurich (nee Wicburg), his dear daughter Joan Marie Gregurich, his granddaughter Claire Gregurich, two brothers-in-law Don (Carol) Wicburg and Jim (the late Toni) Wicburg, as well as his sister-in-law Paula (the late Ron) Silverman.

Matthew is survived by his loving children; Mark (Claudia) Gregurich, Bill (Susan) Gregurich, Jim (Toni) Gregurich, Rick (Rayna) Gregurich, Rob (Kerri) Gregurich, and Ron (Tami) Gregurich. Also surviving are seventeen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, his brother John (Judy) Gregurich, his sister Mary (Paul) Schweitzer, his companion Joyce Watts, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations offered to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his name.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL 60435 with Chapel Prayers at 7:00 pm. All guests will be invited to regather at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life at 9:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 for closing prayers before travelling in procession to Saint Mary Nativity Church, 706 N. Broadway St., Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Immediately following mass, we will process to Saint Mary Nativity Cemetery, 601 Caton Farm Rd., Crest Hill, IL, for a graveside committal service where Matt will be interred next to his wife Barbara for all of eternity.