John J. Konopek Sr.

John J. Konopek Sr., age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2023.

He is survived by his loving son, John Jr. (Maureen) Konopek; son-in-law, Sean (the late Janine) Kaye; grandchildren, Caitlin and Nicholas Konopek and Jacob and Logan Kaye; sister-in-law, Colette DePratt; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary (nee Dorr) (2018); his loving daughter, Janine Kaye (2015); parents, Jacob and Jennie (nee Sonce) Konopek; sister, Norine Mulbarger; brother-in-law, Leonard Dorr; sister-in-law, Joanne Dorr; brother-in-law, William DePratt; brother-in-law, Evan Mulbarger; and his beloved dog, Eskimo.

John graduated from St. Joseph Grade School (1945), Joliet Catholic High School (1949) and Joliet Junior College (1951). He was a proud United States Army Veteran serving during the Korean War and during this time he spent 17 months in Germany. After his honorable discharge in 1954, John went on to work as a clerk for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad for 35 years.

John was a passionate sports fan but especially loved Joliet Catholic Sports and the Chicago Cubs. With his love of baseball, John became very active in the St. Joseph Baseball Organization as a manager and board member. He and his wife Rosemary were able to establish the first woman’s board in the organization as well.

John was a member of St. Joseph Church in Joliet, the Will County Old Timers Baseball Association (served as secretary for several years), St. Joseph Seniors, Crest Hill Seniors, KSKJ St. John’s Lodge 143, Holy Name Seniors, American Legion Post #1080, VFW Cantigny Post #367 and a 1977 inductee into the Senior Services Center Volunteer Hall of Fame.

St. Joseph’s Park was a place you could always look for John. He enjoyed volunteering his time to help with parish events and co-chairing the annual St. Joseph Homecoming Picnic. Forty years ago, John helped facilitate the first BINGO games at the park and was a well-known BINGO caller who proudly originated the Early Bird Game.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet or Family Centered Hospice would be appreciated.  

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 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 will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Cremation rites will be accorded following visitation.

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