Steger Funeral Home

Catherine A. Markl (nee Wegler) age 80 of Beecher, Illinois passed away on March 17, 2023.  Loving wife of the late Adolph (d. 2013); beloved mother to Andrea (Gregory) Rizzo and Karl (Elizabeth) Stevens.  Beautiful grandmother to Monica (Manius) Waterman, Philip Rizzo, Christopher Rizzo, Anna Rizzo, Nicholas Stevens and Montgomery Stevens.  Catherine  always treasured the memories with the Markl Family.

Visitation/Service Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 9AM until time of service at 11AM at the Monee Funeral Home 5450 Wilson St. (at Governors Hwy.), Monee, IL 60449.  Burial to follow at Assumption Cemetery, Glenwood, Illinois.   Info: (708) 534-0016.    

On March 16, 2023, Barbara Marie Demith, a “Chicago Heights Girl Forever,” Bloom Class of 1958, left her earthly home to be reunited with her husband of 54 years, Thomas Demith, Bloom Class of 1955.Barbara was the first-born child of Tito and Bette Tarquinio (both deceased). 

Barbara was the loving mother of Tom, Bloom Class of 1979, and Jeff, Bloom Class of 1981.  Her two boys love sports and would run home from Roosevelt School every day, eat their PB and J, and hurriedly ran back out to play.  Barbara spent countless hours at Bloom High School in support of her boys’ teams and the entire Bloom High School Athletic Program.  Interesting to note, she was one of the original founders of the “Bloom Backers” Athletic Program.

Barb has four siblings, George, Norma, Mary, and Jean, who will miss her love and guidance. Barb was grandmother to the “best grandchildren ever born” Spenser, Kailyn, and Katy, and was mother-in-law to Jeff’s wife Maureen. Barb also leaves many Demith relatives who still reside in the area. Last, her two dogs Storm and Barney will miss her.  She thought them to be clever and funny.

Barbara owned Wise Buy Estate Sales for over 28 years. She loved working the sales, but more importantly, she valued all the friendships made along the way and cherished the memories.  She was known for “never turning down a Chicago Heights Sale.” She loved and cherished all the memories given and received at her sales.  You all gave her so much joy.  A special “shout out” to her friends from the Friday night auctions in Peotone.

Barb was loyal to friendships made from her school years especially those from the Bloom Class of 1958.

A special thank-you to Dr. Hamdan, Barb’s oncologist, for the wonderful care.  You and your staff at Riverside Medical made her day.  You gave her more than you will ever realize.

Per Barb’s instruction, there will be no services as she will be cremated and buried next to Tom at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Flossmoor, Illinois.

On behalf of Barb, “God bless all of you.  Live your hopes and dreams…make every day count.”  Finally, as Barb would say, “Have a nice day.”

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

Susan S. Relinski (nee Sampsell) age 74 of Demotte, Indiana passed away on March 11, 2023.  Loving wife to Robert D.; beloved mother to Adam Fromm, Karen Galloway and step son Robert J. (Stephanie) Relinski.  Beautiful sister to Judith Stofko and the late Jack Sampsell.  Dear daughter in law and caregiver to the late Robert and the late Geraldine Relinski.  Preceded in death by her loving parents Robert and Koosie ‘Kay’ (nee Bink) Sampsell.

Visitation Tuesday, March 14^th  from 3:00PM until 7:00PM at the Crete Funeral Home, 1182 Main Street, Crete, Illinois. Funeral Service on Wednesday at 10AM at the funeral home.   Entombment: Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, Illinois. Info: (708) 672-7600. Cretefuneralhome.com

Gayle R. Tama (nee Blum) age 88, a longtime resident of Chicago Heights, Illinois passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023.  Beloved wife of 59 years to the late Walter F. Tama (GySgt USMC Ret., d. 2013). Loving mother to Cheryl R. Tama Oblander and son-in-law Scott, and Gregory Tama and daughter-in-law Rosemary. Cherished grandmother to Erica (Christopher) Cox and Alex Tama, and delighted great-grandmother to Cedric Cox. Fond sister to William (Cindy) Blum, Ronald (Sally) Blum and her strongest supporter in life the late Carl J. Blum Jr. (d. 1994) (Annies d. 2021). Dear aunt, cousin and friend to many, including her caregiver Audrey Rainford and best friend Rose Klauck. Gayle was an active homemaker and community volunteer. Her door was always open for friends and family. She contributed her many talents to the Marine Corps League South Suburban Chicago Detachment, St. Kieran Women’s Club and St. James Hospital, where she greeted arriving visitors for many years. She retired from her position as bookkeeper with Schwartz Moving and Storage Company in 2000. She rests gently now with her parents, Carl J. and Violet (Kelly) Blum Sr., and all her loved ones who passed before her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, https://www.toysfortots.org. 

Visitation and service on Monday, March 13th from 9AM until the time of funeral service at 12 Noon at Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home, 540 Dixie Hwy. (at Joe Orr Rd.), Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois at a later date. (708) 754-0016.