Our Family

Our Family

Since 1908, four generations of the Tezak family have served over 10,000 families in Joliet and the surrounding area. We continue the tradition of service today and want you to feel as though you are part of our family. Every detail will be attended to, and we would like you to experience as much comfort and peace as possible in your time of difficulty.

We are proud to offer comprehensive family care, including our:


  • Our Celebrations of Life memorialization packages are designed to help your family celebrate the unique story of your loved one by sharing, honoring, celebrating, remembering and eventually healing. Our knowledgeable, well-trained staff understands that every family has needs and preferences, and we are here to collaborate with you to create a personalized, meaningful celebration to remember your loved one.
  • Home, while contemporary, comfortable, and serene, is designed with the entire family in mind. We are fully accessible with ample parking space, a children’s activity room, private family lounges as well as several options for gathering, remembering, worshiping, and celebrating a life lived.
  • Commitment to include you as part of our family with extended aftercare services when the initial funeral and memorialization are complete. We host annual Spring into New Life, Veteran’s Day, and Candle and Tree Lighting memorial events to extend help in the grieving process while your family and friends begin to journey back to their day-to-day lives.


Each person is unique and we at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life are here to honor those we serve with dignity and respect. Although some services may seem traditional or similar, no two services are alike.

We treat each family and each service in their own unique way. We will provide you with information in order to prepare a unique and memorable service. We want you and your family to experience the comfort
and the peace of mind that your loved one is cared for.


Staff members of Tezak's Home to Celebrate Life ® are caring and experienced professionals who understand that each family is unique, vibrant with memories and celebrates with their own traditions. 


Special requests, family memories and traditions are of utmost importance to our staff. These are what make every funeral service valuable. 


We take pride in our high ethical standards, tradition of celebrating the life lived and helping all families have dignity and honor at the end of life.

Jack Tezak

Jack Tezak

Owner & Funeral Director


Richard Tezak

Richard Tezak

Owner & Funeral Director

Richard has been a licensed funeral director since 1976. He is married to Ellen (nee Degener) Tezak, they have three children, Kyle (Emma) Tezak, Kenneth Tezak and Jessica Tezak.


Richard is the founder of the Polka Masters, raising $400,000.00 for Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, he was an instrumental in the songwriting for the "Providence Gift of Life" CD, a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet, St. Joseph Holy Name Society- past president for 17 years, Joliet Exchange Club, Moran A.C., Joliet Moose, K.S.K.J., Knights of Columbus #4400 Council, Old Timers Baseball Association, Croatian Cultural Club, St. Joseph Boys Baseball, and Harvest Moon Band- which over the past 6 years has donated numerous hours to raise funds for local charities.

Ryan Hayducak

Ryan Hayducak

Owner & Funeral Director

Ryan is a Licensed Funeral Director, having completed his studies at Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2012.


Along with his wife, Katherine (also a funeral director), Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors and fishing with his three sons.


Funeral Director

PreArrangment Counselor

Licensed Life Insurance Agent

Certified Crematory Operator

Katherine Hayducak

Katherine Hayducak

Funeral Director

Katherine is a Licensed Funeral Director, having completed her studies at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She is also a CANA certified crematory operator, Illinois Life Insurance Agent and Certified Celebrant. 


Funeral Director

Crematory Operator

Life Insurance Agent

Certified Celebrant

Jim Benuska

Jim Benuska

Funeral Director

Funeral Director

Crematory Operator

Licensed Life Insurance Agent 

Ruben Pena

Ruben Pena

Funeral Director

Funeral Director

Myrna Nevarez
Myrna Nevarez
Office Manager
Myrna Nevarez
Office Manager


Julie Rositch
Julie Rositch
Wake Assistant
Julie Rositch
Wake Assistant


Dan Sameck
Dan Sameck
Driver
Dan Sameck
Driver


Jim Schneider
Jim Schneider
Driver
Jim Schneider
Driver


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