Serhiy Samelyuk

Serhiy Samelyuk (Сергій Самелюк), age 54, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025. He was born on September 24, 1970, in Uman, Ukraine (Умань, Україна) to mother Valentyna Gradinar (Валентина Градінар) and late father Andriy Samelyuk (Андрій Самелюк). Serhiy is survived by his loving daughter Bohdana Eagle, his grandchildren Sofia Eagle and Margot Eagle, his devoted mother Valentyna Gradinar (Валентина Градінар), his sister Tatiana Gradinar (Тетяна Градінар), and his niece Selin, all of whom he deeply cherished.

Serhiy lived a life of strength, dedication, and love. Serhiy proudly served in the USSR military during the 1980s, stationed in Moscow, Russia, and in Georgia. His later role was focused on maintaining border security between Ukraine and Poland - an experience that instilled in him discipline, responsibility, and perseverance that would carry through the rest of his life.

In 1997, Serhiy welcomed his beloved daughter, Bohdana. To provide for her and his family back home in Ukraine, he later moved to the United States, where he worked tirelessly to build a better life. Beginning his journey in construction, Serhiy eventually found his true calling in the trucking industry. He lived in New York and Philadelphia before finding a permanent home in Chicago.

Through trucking, Serhiy achieved great success and stability, always ensuring his daughter was provided for. He was a man of intelligence, persistence, and discipline - qualities that defined him in every pursuit. Known for his ability to talk endlessly with those he loved, Serhiy filled each day with countless phone calls. Whether he was on the road or at home, he never failed to call his daughter, his mother, his sister, and his niece - keeping close connections with his family no matter the distance. He could talk about anything, and those conversations became the heartbeat of his day. Serhiy had many friends and was one of the most friendly people we knew.

One of the most meaningful parts of Serhiy’s life was his relationship with Bohdana. Every single day, he called her before school and before bed. The only time he ever failed to answer his phone was when he was with God in the end. In 2017, father and daughter were reunited in the United States after many years apart. They cherished their time together, living under the same roof, sharing conversations, and enjoying an unbreakable bond. They were best friends, and Bohdana was blessed to spend nearly half her life with her father always by her side.

Serhiy was able to witness some of life’s most beautiful milestones: his daughter’s marriage, her success in business, and the birth of his grandchildren. He visited his grandchildren multiple times each week, playing an active role in their lives and showering them with love.

In the final months of his life, Serhiy had a profound realization that he truly wanted to live beyond work. He decided to step away from trucking and devote more time to his family. One of his last cherished memories was teaching his granddaughter Sofia Eagle to swim for the first time. He also visited Bohdana’s newly built lake house, spending a week surrounded by his daughter, his son-in-law Ryan Eagle and grandchildren - a time filled with joy, laughter, and gratitude.

Serhiy’s sense of humor and pride never left him. He had long dreamed of fixing his teeth, and saving, he finally achieved that dream. His new smile was so radiant that his family joked it was brighter than the sun. Serhiy’s smile, much like his heart, was enormous, and he wore it proudly every day.

Though once a man who trusted homemade onion and garlic remedies more than doctors, Serhiy eventually dedicated himself to his health. He lost nearly 200 pounds, began exercising, followed a better diet, and regularly saw doctors. His motivation was clear - he wanted to live a long, healthy life with his grandchildren.

Above all, Serhiy was known for his positivity, generosity, and deep love for his family. He was selfless, supportive, and larger than life in both presence and spirit. His deep voice, bright smile, and boundless kindness touched everyone who knew him.

His passing is a shock and a great loss to all who loved him. Yet, we take comfort knowing Serhiy is watching over us, wishing for our lives to be full of happiness and love. We are forever grateful for the time we had with him, the lessons he taught us, and the endless love he gave. He was incredibly proud of his daughter and adored his grandchildren. Serhiy’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished, and he will always remain in our hearts.

A visitation for Serhiy will be held Thursday, August 28th from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, followed by Panikhida (Memorial Prayer) at Christ the Savior Orthodox Christian Church 927 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60610. The following day on Friday, August 29th with be the Funeral Service at 11:00AM at the same address, followed immediately by a burial at Willow Lawn Memorial Park 24090 N US Hwy 45.