Ronald E. Zola

Funeral Services will be held privately.

Our dad, our brother, our uncle, our friend: Our dear A�??RonnieA�?i�� passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 6, 2013. He was 77 years old.

Born and raised in Joliet, Ronald was a lifelong resident. He worked here (in construction), he bought a home and raised a family here, and he retired here from the Diocese of Joliet.

Ronald married Frances Stiglich on October 24, 1959, and they spent the next 46 years together, until FranA�??s death in 2005. Ron was a wonderful husband who took great care of his A�??SissyA�?i�� as she battled cancer and a debilitating stroke.

Ron and Fran had two children: MaryFran (Michael) Zaworski, who survives; and a son Ronald J., who passed away in 2007.

For Ron, weekends and days off meant fishing, gardening, crossword puzzling, and playing the accordion (most memorably at his daughterA�??s wedding). He was a terrific cook with an eclectic repertoire A�?? after Fran died, MaryFran, Mike, and granddaughter Ellie Frances went to A�??PapaA�??s houseA�?i�� every Tuesday night for RonA�??s home-cooked lamb, chop suey and his famous well known homemade sausage.

Ron was a member at the Rivals Club, and the Croatian Cultural Club, where he loved to socialize with friends.

Because the funeral service will be small and private; MaryFran would like to thank the people whoA�??ve done so much for Ron over all these years:

To the relatives who survive him: his loving sister Jean Holling; sister-in-laws Lillian (Joseph) Kucharz, Rose (Gene) Pesavento, and Alice Stiglich; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

To brother-in-law Frank Stiglich, who took dad to his many doctorsA�?? appointments.

To friends Ron and MaryJo Feneli, who took dad along on Minnesota fishing trips (which he loved) during the past three years.

To Dave Papesh, whom Dad could always call for a chore.

To wonderful neighbors Frank and his family, and Rita and her son James who always looked out for Dad.

To Drs. Ellen Gustafson and Joann Donoghue for the wonderful care given to Dad over the years.

And to acknowledge those who preceded him in death: parents Ignatius and Frances (Filak); in-laws Charles and Pauline Stiglich; brother Gregory; brother-in-law Charles Stiglich; sister-in-law Lillian Stiglich; and dear friend Ed Mance, who drove over to the house nearly every night for 20 years for a visit.

A memorial Mass at St. Mary Nativity will be said in RonaldA�??s name at a later date-please watch the church bulletin for details. Those who would like to contribute in RonaldA�??s name may contact the Joliet Area Community Hospice.

In closing, RonA�??s final words to family and friends: Laku noc.