Steger Funeral Home

James L. Venditti age 86 of Crete, Illinois formerly for Chicago Heights, Illinois passed away on October 10, 2026. Loving husband to Eileen (nee Franze); beloved father to James (Sabrina Whitlow) Venditti. Cherished grandfather to Christina Venditti-Mucha. James worked for Dominick’s Grocery as a Receiver Grocer. Preceded in death by his parents James and Rose (nee Scaldoni) Venditti. James served proudly in the U.S. Army.

Arrangement entrusted to Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home 540 Dixie Hwy. (at Joe Orr Rd.), Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Info: (708) 754-0016.

Frank Laureano Corral, 91, was called home to the Lord on September 14, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Frank was born on June 30, 1935, in Massillon, Ohio, to Joe and Virginia Corral. He always carried a piece of Massillon with him, even though his work, family, and passion for adventure took him far away from his hometown.

Frank graduated from Washington High School, where he played center for the Massillon Tigers under Coach Chuck Mather from 1950 to 1952. As a starting center during his senior year, he was named All-Stark County and was part of the 1952 team that was recognized as state and national champions. He went on to play football at Columbia University, playing center for the Lions from 1953 to 1956. He received a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Columbia College in 1957 and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering in 1958.

In 1958, Frank married Nancy Ann Raymond. Together, they would raise three children: Laurie, Amy, and Bradley. That August, he enlisted in the Ohio National Guard under the Reserve Forces Act of 1955, serving until his honorable discharge in August 1964.

That same year, Frank also returned to Massillon and started a career in steel that would last nearly five decades. Frank had a mind well-suited for manufacturing: practical, analytical, curious, and constantly seeking ways to make complex processes more efficient. He joined Republic Steel’s Union Drawn Division as an industrial engineer and later became General Foreman of Special Sections, responsible for developing and producing specialty cold drawn steel products. In 1966, he joined Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, moving up through several senior production-control positions before becoming Manager of the Western Plants, with responsibilities across Steubenville, Yorkville, and Martins Ferry. While there, he assisted in developing and implementing an inventory tracking system across the companies integrated steel operations. He later joined Wisconsin Steel in Chicago, managing production control, planning, traffic, finishing, and shipping operations involving hundreds of employees and tens of thousands of tons of steel each month. In 1980, Frank began the work that would define the rest of his career, initially serving as Vice President and Plant Manager of Keystone Steel and Wire. In 1986, he became president of Chicago Heights Steel, leading the company for the next twenty years. He also served as president of the Steel Manufacturers Association from 1989 to 1991.

Aside from work, Frank also believed in contributing to the communities and institutions that shaped him. In 2007, he created the Virginia and Frank Corral Scholarship in honor of his high school football coach, Chuck Mather. He was also a long-time supporter of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and remained connected to the communities that mattered to him throughout his life. Frank frequently spoke about his family and took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He took pleasure in introducing them to others, sometimes carrying the youngest around restaurants solely for that purpose. He continued to be actively involved as the family expanded, and over decades, his presence at sporting events, plays, recitals, celebrations, family traditions, and in the life lived between them became a familiar and lasting aspect of family life and the legacy he leaves behind.

Frank enjoyed the routines, traditions, and the relationships that filled his days. He was an excellent cook, adored crossword puzzles and games, he was a reader, an opinion- sharer, and was an avid fan of sports. Football continued to be a major passion for Frank throughout his life. He closely followed the sport and frequently returned to Massillon to watch the Tigers from the home stands. Frank was quick-witted, opinionated, stubborn, and mischievous. He loved a good argument, especially when he knew his position would create one. These traits were just as much a part of Frank as his curiosity, humor, generosity, and devotion to his family.

Frank’s love of family was intertwined with his love of adventure. He satisfied a lifelong curiosity about the world by eventually traveling to all seven continents. He included his family in that spirit of exploration and orchestrated regular, annual travel, for the ever growing family. As a result, travel became a beloved family tradition. One particularly adored ritual of Frank’s was when each grandchild turned thirteen, Frank allowed them to choose a location in the world they wished to visit, and he accompanied them there.

His curiosity, adventurousness, and desire to explore beyond what was familiar became part of the legacy he left his family. His professional life occasionally traveled with him as well; Frank was known to inspect steel fence posts wherever he encountered them, and was thrilled when he found one produced by Chicago Heights Steel.

Above all, Frank was a believer in Christ. His faith was a steady foundation throughout his life, and his family takes great comfort in knowing that he is now at peace with his Lord and Savior in Glory.

Frank is survived by his brother, Jimmy Corral; his children and their spouses, Laurie Corral and Brian MacEachern, Amy and Greg Galloway, and Bradley and Linda Corral; his eight grandchildren, Leah Corral, Philip Bell, Hannah Novakovic, Benjamin Galloway, Jared Galloway, Kyle Corral, Nathan Corral, and Kristen Bruner; his niece, Nicole Lamm; and his six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will occur on October 14, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Crete Church, 24755 S. Country Ln., Crete, Illinois 60417. A service will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00p.m., followed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, the Corral family requests that donations be made in Frank’s memory to Alzheimer’s research or the American Cancer Society.

David Anthony Vagnoni was born on July 21st, 1943, in Chicago Heights, IL, to Albert and Mary (Rosati) Vagnoni. He was the second of three children. David passed away on September 25, 2026.

David was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He married the love of his life, Carol (Ryan) Vagnoni, on September 14th, 1984, at St. Liborius Church. Together they shared 42 years of marriage. In David’s words “A wonderful life together.”

David adored his children, Joseph (Margaret) and Natalie. He cherished his three grandchildren Abigail, Ryan and Amelia and took great pride in watching them grow.

David proudly served in the United States Navy from 1966 until 1969. After his military service, he worked at Sears for 35 years, before retiring.

David found great joy in being with his family. He and Carol built their home together, a beautiful log cabin, that became so much more than just a house. David and his loving wife, Carol, along with his amazing son Joe, built the cabin from the ground up, pouring their time, love, hard work, and hearts into every part of it. The cabin was David’s legacy- a reflection of the life he built, the people he loved, and the memories he created with his family. He continued working on and caring for it until the very day he passed.  It was a place where family gathered, memories were made, and David’s love could be felt in every corner.

A classic car enthusiast, David also built his own roadster and his own 1954 Harley Davidson motorcycle. He enjoyed building and restoring classic cars and was a proud member of the Southside Cruisers.

David loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, biking, fishing, water skiing, spending time at the beach and camping. He loved to dance and enjoyed music from the 1950’s. He lived his life fully and on his own terms, always finding something to build, fix, explore, or enjoy with the people he loved.

David lived his life so right that we cannot imagine him with one regret. His greatest hope was that the people he loved would live with that same spirit- with love, purpose, adventure, and no regrets.

David leaves behind his loving wife of 42 years, Carol; his children Joseph (Margaret) and Natalie; his three cherished grandchildren Abigail, Ryan, and Amelia; and his beloved sister Marge (Kurt) Mengle. He was preceded in death by his parent, Mary and Albert, and his brother, John.

David also leaves behind a lifetime of love, memories, and a legacy that will live on through his family. His greatest accomplishment was not the things he built, but the life and family he built around them.

Visitation will be on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Crete Funeral Home 1182 Main St. Crete, IL. Funeral will be Friday, October 2, 2026, at St. John Evangelical Church 10701 Olcott Ave. St. John, Indiana Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 A.M. (EVERYONE WILL MEET DIRECTLY AT THE CHURCH).  Burial will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. (Burial is open to whoever wants to attend however if you are going just make sure you meet at the Cemetery kiosk by 11:00 A.M. for procession out to the committal shelter). In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Crete Funeral Home. 1-708-672-7600.