Raymond L. Yakich

Raymond Louis Yakich, age 93, of Joliet, IL passed away Saturday, July 16th 2022 at Lightways Hospice. He was born on June 19th in 1929 to the late John and Frances (Videtich) Yakich.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years Shirley (Kittrell) Yakich, one son Don (Laurie Banek) Yakich; two daughters Sandy (Tom) Byron and Karen (Ed) Plunge; grandchildren Jay (Lauren) Kaminskas, Shawn Byron, Noah and Natalie Plunge; great grandchildren Wesley and Owen Kaminskas; one sister Carol (Stanley) Demsky; sisters-in-law Lois and Gloria Yakich; brother-in-law Andrew “Mickey” Mikuska; special friends Terry and Jeanine Parr. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

He is preceded in death by parents John and Frances (Videtich) Yakich; five brothers John (Adele), Edward, Richard, Bernard (Joan), and James (Margaret) Yakich; three sisters Frances Yakich, Dorothy Gura, and Helen Mikuska; sisters and brothers-in-law Linda (Raymond) Salzman and Richard (Ann) Kittrell.

Raymond was a lifelong resident of Joliet and member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Joliet Township High School. He was a U.S Army Veteran. Following his service, he began working at Kraus Radio & Television as a skilled electrician. Raymond then went on to work at ComEd for many years before retiring in 1992. He was a proud Chicago White Sox fan, avid reader (especially the morning newspaper), and had a knack for gardening. Raymond cherished the many summer vacations spent at the Wisconsin Dells. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family and enjoying Sundays at St. Joe's Park in the summertime. Above all, Raymond was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved his family and the numerous special people he was so lucky to have in his life.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Lightways Hospice for their generosity and gentle care.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. A celebration of Raymond’s life will continue on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 with a short visitation from 8:45 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 9:20 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The funeral will then drive in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow and Raymond will be laid to rest with full military honors at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Raymond’s name to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care (lightways.org).