Fred Stanley Kujawka

The funeral will take place at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna, (corner of Rt. 9 and Towanda Barnes Rd.) Luncheon will be at 11:30 am followed by Mass at 1:00 pm. His nephew, the Rev. James Beath, will be officiating.

He will be cremated and he and Caroline’s ashes will be buried on Thursday at the military cemetery in Springfield. Caroline passed away July 15, 2008. Fred was born the son of Henry and Helen Kujawka Nov. 3, 1937, in Chicago. He was a marine between the Korean and Vietnam wars. To this day he was very proud to be a marine.

He worked at the Cosmopolitan Natl. Bank where he met Caroline. They married on Oct. 2, 1965. He held various jobs over the years. They had a restaurant in Minocqua, WI. Then they managed motels in southern and western states. His brother needed some help in Florida so they joined him there. Caroline and Fred had a used book store for a while but then she ended up back in banking.

Fred in the meantime developed a health problem that needed surgery to save his life but left him paraplegic. Due to a hurricane in Florida in 2004 and Caroline with a health problem, they asked to live at her sister Bernadine’s home in Normal. After Caroline’s death, Bernadine became Fred’s caregiver.

Fred loved to read, western and ghost stories the most. He loved watching football and hockey. He sure wanted those Blackhawks to win this year.

He is survived by his brother Steve of TN, sister Bernadette (Morty Williams) of TN, sister Bernice (John Suehr) of Winnetka, IL, several nieces, nephews, and his Aunt Lucy, who was a very special lady to him.

We would like to thank everyone who helped care for him, especially Janet Killian who assisted us in getting doctors here for him. To Bob, (his Eucharistic minister,) and Mary Vaugh, (his cinnamon roll maker.) Special friend, Mary Jo Cleary, who visited him, bringing pizza and root beer. Lunch with her was a treat. And to Denise DeGraff, his nurse for many years.

Fred donated to many organizations like Sheriff’s Dept., Fire Fighters, Indian Children, Disabled Vets, and many others. Should you wish to donate in his name we suggest maybe Advocate at Home, 303 N. Hershey Suite C, Bloomington, IL 61704 or Marcfirst 900 N. Beech, Normal, IL 61761 which helps mentally challenged people learn to take care of themselves and learn a job. Fred would wheel himself to Marcfirst a block away where he made friends with a young man named Mike. It would be nice if you donated to this state run facility even if you have not heard of it. You may have known it once as Marc Center.