Michaeleen A. Forkal

Michaeleen "Cookie" Forkal (nee Venardi), age 68, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband and daughters, on August 29, 2024. Michaeleen was born in Joliet, IL on June 27, 1956.

She retired from the State of Illinois Department of Human Services in 2016 after 42 years of employment. Michaeleen has spent her retired days enjoying the company of her grandkids, traveling to Florida to visit her daughter and going to Disney World, and relaxing at home watching Chicago White Sox games and The Andy Griffith Show. She was also known for quoting her favorite episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. She always made holidays and birthdays so special for her kids and grandkids.

Michaeleen is survived by her husband James Forkal, her daughters Julie (Jon) Hamelau and Jenny Forkal, granddaughters Maddie Hamelau and Rylee Hamelau, her father Bernard Venardi, her sisters Debbie (Robert) Sieffert, Elaine (Roger) D'Orazio, Nancy (Jason) Lechowicz, and numerous nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Florence Venardi, her grandparents Bernard and Emma Venardi and Michael and Florence Borchik, and her Uncle and Aunt, Anthony "Neno" and Marge Venardi.

Services will include a Visitation on Tuesday, September 3rd 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home in Joliet, IL with a Byzantine Catholic Parastas at 7:00 p.m. A Rite of Christian Burial will be held at Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, IL on Wednesday, September 4th 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL. In lieu of flowers, any donations to Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church or to the family would be appreciated.