James W. Forkal

James Forkal, age 75, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, surrounded by his two daughters and his brother-in-law. As a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic, Jim was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church in Joliet before it transitioned to the current Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen. He served as a cantor from grade school until adult life, and up until present day, he chanted beautiful harmonies from his pew.

Jim was born on December 14, 1950 at the old Saint Joe's Hospital in Joliet. He was raised in Ridgewood, attended A.O. Marshall Elementary until third grade, and then attended and graduated from St. Mary's Assumption Byzantine Catholic grade school. He graduated from Providence Catholic Hogh School in 1969 before receiving a Bachelors Degree in Biology from Saint Procopius College (now Benedictine University) in Lisle, where he was also a member of the Saint Procopius Monastic community from 1971-1973. Jim then received a Masters of Science and Biology from the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana in 1973. After working in research at Argonne National Laboratory from 1978-1982, Jim's career continued at Farmers Insurance from 1983 until retirement in 2011. Not only did Jim sing in church, he was a self-taught musician that played the fiddle and bass guitar in multiple bands throughout his life. He was a member of "Daddy Claxton's Bluegrass Band" in the 70s and 80s before moving on to "Diamond Rio Band" in the early 80s, and more recently was a member of "Harvest Moon Band".

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Michaeleen (Venardi) Forkal, with whom he stood before God, took vows, and remained in a loving and faithful marriage for nearly 44 years. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Ellen (Moroney) Forkal, his sister, Mary (Forkal) Gaydos, and his lifelong friend and bandmate, Al Soley.

"I never played in band without Al."

Jim is survived by his two daughters, Julie (Forkal) Hamelau and Jenny Forkal, his loving son-in-law Jon Hamelau, his two cherished granddaughters, Maddie Hamelau and Rylee Hamelau, his brothers, Mike Forkal and Rick (Chris) Forkal, brother-in-law Mike Gaydos, father-in-law Bernard Venardi, plus numerous loving sisters and brothers in law, and many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends, especially Bonnie Soley.

Jim was an outgoing guy that will also be remembered for his love of all things fun like vacationing at Disney World, going to the casino, playing bingo, and spending countless hours with his granddaughters, attending their recitals and other activities. He loved playing card games with his family, watching Price is Right every day and Wheel of Fortune every night, and making sure his family was taken care of at all times. In anticipation for all things fun, he always said "Lookin' forward to it!". He will be greatly missed beyond words.

In lieu of flowers, any donations to Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church or to the family would be appreciated.

Services will include a Visitation Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Tezak's Funeral Home in Joliet, IL from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. 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 Friday, May 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL.