Lawrence L Kieklak, Jr., age 91, a resident of Naperville, Illinois since 2007 and formerly of Homewood, Illinois passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Austin, Texas. He was born April 19, 1932 in Erie, PA, to his loving late parents, Lawrence and Mary Agnes, Kieklak, Sr. He was the cherished husband of the late, Mary Joan Kieklak, nee Bosse, wedded for 57 years. Loving father of Elizabeth (David) Pojman, Kimberly (late Anthony) Ford, Deborah (Robert) Pojman, Constance (Allen) Nichols, Lawrence (Sherolyn) Kieklak III, Peter (Tracy) Kieklak, and Valerie (Kenneth) Minor. Adored grandfather of Kevin (fiancé, Kahlea Shelton) Pojman, Lauren (Ricardo) Vazquez, Matthew Pojman, Michael (Jane) Pojman, Jennifer (Peter) Dobersztyn, late A. J. Nichols, Thomas Nichols, LJ Kieklak IV, Amber Kieklak, Kayla Kieklak, Abigail Kieklak, Mitchell Kieklak, Morgan (fiancé Matthew Harrison) Minor and Max Minor. Dearest great grandfather of Lincoln, Riley, Dean and Allie. Loving brother of Kathryn (late Jack) Costello, Lois (late James) Reiser, Virginia Hughes, and Susan (late Ron) Mozdy; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Larry graduated from Cathedral Prep Academy and enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country as a Seabee during the Korean War era. The motto of the Seabees was “Can do”. He enjoyed a long career at AMSCO and retired as a regional service manager.
Larry and his wife Mary were faithful Catholics. Together they were the foundation of a large family and passed on very many important values and traditions. God and faith was always their first priority.
Larry and Mary were avid travelers. They travelled around the United States and circled around the world visiting Australia, Bora-Bora and Cozumel. They went to Cozumel so often that he was nicknamed the Mayor of Cozumel.
After Mary, his wife, passed away in 2016, Larry moved in with his daughter, Valerie. Larry enjoyed fishing, watching baseball, football, and historical movies, but most of all playing games with his children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed visiting relatives locally and around the country. One of his favorite things was telling stories, and he had a lot of them. His words and wisdom will live on through all of his family and friends.
His can-do spirit helped him to never give up and he loved to solve problems and fix things. He didn’t know how to say “no,” as he thought anything was possible. He was a best friend to so many people. When you would talk to him, you were the focus. He always made time for everyone.
Just last week, Larry took an honor flight, and his love of our country was renewed. He felt so loved and appreciated. He had planned to get involved with upcoming Honor flights, and help out so that other veterans could have this experience. He was so impressed that he even talked about re-enlisting.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made towards future honor flights at honorflight.org.
Visitation: Wednesday, June 28th 3:00-8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL 60540.
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, June 29th 10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1500 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, IL 60540. Interment will be Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.
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