Obituary: Richard W. Pawlak

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Richard W. Pawlak

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Age 88, of Joliet and formerly of Downers Grove and Oak Lawn, Illinois, passed from this life Friday, October 9, 2026, at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care in Joliet.

Rich was born June 28, 1938, to the late Stella and Walter Pawlak in Chicago, where he was raised and educated. He attended Brother Rice before transferring to Kelly High School where he graduated with the Class of 1956.A United States Army veteran, he was honorably discharged in February of 1962.

Rich retired as a Director of Transportation for a retail catalogue company.He found his dream retirement job working in the logistics office for Home Depot where he truly enjoyed the camaraderie of his co-workers.

He was a fan of all Chicago sports teams and when not following "his teams" you could find him bowling, on the golf course, or spending quality time with his family.

He is the beloved husband of Christine (Bilek) Pawlak; loving father of Sheryl Pawlak, Lisa (David) Gerber, and Elizabeth Pawlak; proud grandfather of Nicholas, Allison and Kora.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Ziccarelli) Pawlak (1971) and his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rich's name can be made to Guardian Angel Bassett Rescue.

All friends and relatives are invited to gather on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 11:00 a.m., at Divine Savior Catholic Church, 6700 Main St., Downers Grove. Committal prayers and inurnment will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. All those wishing to attend are asked to arrive inside the cemetery entrance by the office at 1:45 p.m.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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