Funeral-Goer Arrested After He Got Punched While Paying Respects

TINLEY PARK, IL — A man attending a child's funeral was arrested on a warrant after he punched a man back who punched him in the face while he was waiting in line to pay his respects.

Police responded to Maher Funeral Home on 71st Avenue at 7:42 p.m. on July 1 for a report of a man punching another man, according to a Tinley Park police report.

Witnesses told police that a man later identified as Mark A. Jones, 36, of Blue Island was in line to pay his respects when he reached out to shake the hand of the father of the child being mourned. The report indicates the father, a 45-year-old man, responded by punching Jones in the left cheek. Jones returned the punch, according to the report.

Jones, whom the report indicates was at the funeral because he knew the deceased child's mother, declined to press charges against the father.

While investigating the incident, police found that Jones had a valid warrant out of Markham.

Photo by Tim Moran / Tinley Park Patch