Richard J. Churnovic
October 17, 1924 — June 22, 2014
Richard J. Churnovic Sr., age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2014 with his loving wife by his side.
Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Audrey (nee Welz) Churnovic; children, Richard J. (Nancy) Churnovic Jr., Lynn (Michael) Miller, Janice (James) Coats, John A. (Sylvia) Churnovic, Mary Ann (Alan) Hemmingson, Lori Bond, Mark Churnovic, Carrie (George) Santiago; 22 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene (the late Leroy) Marquardt; brother-in-law, Glenn A. (Mary Lou) Welz of CA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Ann (nee Videtich) Churnovic; sister, Mary Ann Churnovic; and grandson, Austin Ralph Bond.
Richard was born and raised in Joliet (Crest Hill), IL and graduated from St. Joseph Grade School (Joliet) and Lockport Township High School class of 1943. He was a proud United States Army WWII Veteran and was a member of the American Legion Post #1080 and the VFW Cantigny Post #367. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet. Richard was also a member of the Will County Seniors, Joliet Rivals Club, St. Joseph Holy Name Society, and KSKJ Lodge #2. Richard was in the retired Teamsters Local # 179 for over 20 years. He retired from Illinois Wine and Spirits in 1986 and was later employed at First Midwest Bank for 17 years retiring a second time in 2006. Richard was a devoted family man and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at Presence Villa Franciscan and Sunny Hill Nursing Home for the wonderful care provided to Richard.
A celebration of Richard's life will begin on Friday, June 27, 2014 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:20 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Joliet. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL from 3-8 p.m.