I miss you grandfather. And i will always remember the good things we passed threw! 
Love,  Amanda Mendak

Mr. Mendak was the best principal ever and was the sweetest man and i will always remember him he is one of those people you would never forget my prayers go out to his family and may god bless them all

What a wonderful man that will be dearly missed.  I was a student at Westdale till 79 and he was the most sweet and wonderful man one could ask for as a principal of your school.  I only wish my children had a principal as wonderful and generous as he was.  Prayers to the family for your loss.
Jill Hambach-Napier

My most sincere condolences to Mr. Mendak's family. I remember him as my principal in Westdale. He was a really nice person. I am sure he will be missed by many. God bless his family and loved ones.

My condolences to the Mendak family. Mr Mendak was the best I love going to school every day to see him. I have two daughters and they both went to Westdale and he was there they both loved him he will be missed thank you for sharing him with all of us. Rest in Peace Mr. Mendak

My condolences to Mr. Mendak and his family. Before I moved to Phoenix back in 81, he was a fantastic principal over at Westdale. Always a fair guy but never looked at him as a principal. More like your friend. We'll miss people like Mr. Mendak. God bless his family and all of his friends.

Special special thoughts to the family. Our family was very connected with the school which stemmed from my mom's (Fran) involvement in PTA, past President and a constant working member/volunteer of most everything that Mr. Mendak wanted to put her to work. Staff was amazing with many memories as a child and so very many now as an adult. We had the pleasure of a reunion at Westdale approximately 6 years ago in which we saw many staff and classmates - with none other than Mr. Mendak greeting us at the door. There is NOTHING like Westdale friends and memories. Many thoughts and a thank you for sharing him with us.

My condolences to the Mendak family. Mr. Mendak was my principal from 1967 through 1973. He was a very kind man. I will always carry with me fond memories of my wonderful school days.

My condolences to the Mendak family.  Mr Mendak was at Wetdale School for me and also for my two chldren.  We all remember him fondly.

Dear Steve and Lynn,
So sorry to read of your fathers passing.
From all I have read here he was a very special man.
My prayers go out to you and your kids.
Jackie Kovacs

My condolences to the Mendak family. Mr. Mendak was a kind,fair and friendly man who earned the respect of the students, parents and faculty of Westdale School and District 83. I will never forget you. Thank you for embellishing my childhood in such a positive way. Rest in Peace kind sir.

 In 4th grade I decided to drop a wad of wet toilet paper out of the 2nd floor bathroom window on a boy that had been bullying me. Lo and behold it hit Mr. Mendak right on the top of his head. I was devastated because I liked him so much. I told him of the mean things that this boy had done and how my parents kept telling me to "work it out". He held back a smile the whole time and told me that we would "just keep this between us". He was quite a guy and I think of him fondly. We were lucky to have him. God Bless him on his journey xoxo

I am 51 years old....I attended Westdale Elementary School from K-6th grade.  Mr. Mendak would come out to the playground at recess, and gather up all the kids to play.  I remember that because I was one of the more "shy" kids.  Mr. Mendak included me.  I also remember, "If the shoe fits - wear it" coming over the classroom monitor whenever something bad had happened and he needed to give us a lecture.  He would give the lecture over the monitor...and end with, "If the shoe fits- wear it".  lol.  He was a good man.

Mr. Mendak may The Good Lord take you at the gates of heaven and give to you your Halo and Wings.  You have touched so many hearts.  My fondest memories of you were out there "jumping rope and Hula hoping" with us out at recess to win an ice creram sandwich.  And when my family and I went on a 2 week Eurpoen  vacation we had no homework to do when we came back just to give a reoprt.  I was sadden to hear of your passing however your legacy will always live on in your maroon and gold WESTDALE colors.  God Bless...

My daughters attended Westdale School, and were lucky enough to have Mr Mendak as their princepal. Steve has left his mark on us and so many other parents, and children alike along the way, and we are all better for having known him. Thank you Mr Mendak for being the wonderful person you were, may you rest in peace.

I graduated from 8th grade at Westdale way back in 1968. Growing up at Westdale School with Mr. Mendak as my principal, I knew even as a child that he was a very special man. He touched our lives with his leadership and love for his students. Looking back I still remember him coming out to the playground at recess time and we would all run to him and want to walk with him and hold his hand. Yet, we had a reverent fear of him at the same time. My deepest condolences to his family.

You will always live in our hearts and prayers.Thank you for all you have tought us. Westdale '65-72

Mr. Mendak you were a great principal.  You touched so many of  lives attending Westdale. You will never be forgotten. I am sorry for your families loss of a great role model.

I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Stephen Mendak. Mr. Mendak was principal for all of my family's years at Westdale School (in the 60s and 70s).   At recess, I recall waiting in line many times to hold his hand during his daily supervisory duties on our school playground.   And although he was a veritable giant among men to us little kids, he was revered, rather than feared—still, no one ever wanted to be sent to the principal's office unless it was on a teacher's errand!   

I vividly recall Mr. Mendak being the calm during the storm when a minor tornado struck our neighborhood in '75, and decades before cellphones, emails, and mass phone alerts were the norm.  During this catastrophe, Mr. Mendak determined it too hazardous for the “walkers” to be granted permission to leave the school amongst all the downed power lines and non-functioning signal lights impeding our normal routes home.  Instead, he kept all walkers entertained in the gym for hours past the typical school day until the coast was clear.  We kids did not experience fear during this event thanks to the calm demeanor and playfulness of our fearless leader.  

And I certainly recall the pride Mr. Mendak displayed in walking the parade route with his school to celebrate our nation's Bicentennial.  In fact, well before the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted by Congress, Mr. Mendak granted permission for our mom (a school bus driver at Westdale) to drive the “Clara Barton Bus” along that same Bicentennial parade route for kids who couldn't otherwise participate due to broken legs or other crippling birth defects.  He was always thinking of ways to include ALL of his kids, as further evidenced by the student murals gracing the entire back wall in his brand new cafeteria addition.  And, his librarian, Miriam (Mim) Smith, who remained my dear friend for 40 years until she also passed at the age of 93 only 6 months ago, was still reminiscing about what an incredible man Mr. Mendak was to work for, and of the tremendous support she always received from him to build her library into a true learning environment rather than a mere book depot.  Mr. Mendak was beloved.  

Finally, many, many years later, Mr. Mendak's son, Dr. Mendak, came to our own dad's rescue at Elmhurst Hospital, and our family would become dually grateful for the additional 14 years of blessings that the Mendak legacy had on our family.  I thank God for giving us such a strong, ethical role model as Mr. Mendak to guide the youth of my generation, and for encouraging his own son to become the skilled surgeon he was.  If ever a man “paid it forward,” that man was Mr. Mendak.  May he rest in eternal peace, and may his loved ones find comfort in knowing the gratitude of so many lives he touched.

Mr. Mendak was a great man, fair minded, and easy to talk to. He will be missed...I am sorry for your families loss...my prayers are with you.

What a great principal. Anyone who attended Westdale will never forget him. He was always smiling but was still very strict. He was a wonderful man. My mom drove a school bus for the district for many years and always spoke highly of him. Rest in peace, Mr Mendak.

Mr. Mendak grew up with my parents so they trusted him with the discipline I needed as my Principle at Westdale. I was one of a chosen few that had the permission to get my behind paddled by him if is I acted out. He was always fair and I got the sense that he always cared even as he was paddling my behind. He used to say to me before every episode... "Steven, this going to hurt me more than it is you." I finally believe him. RIP Mr. Medak. You were the real deal. Thanks for caring.

He was a great principal. Sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts go out to your family.

I had the honor of having Mr. Mendak as my principal not only for grade school when he was at Westdale but also at Mannheim Jr. High.  He has left me with very fond memories.  Some of us still talk to this day about how he used to throw some loose change down the grates on the play ground because we used to try to "fish" things out during recess.  My family's thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.  May God be with you and bless you at this time

I remember grade school very fondly with Mr. Mendak front and center...he was always out on the playground at recess, visited classrooms often, and always took the time to hear each persons 'side' of every story and making you feel better about everything and all conflict was resolved when you left his office.

Mr Mendak was my principal at Westdale.  A larger then life man, especially to elementary children, but very sweet, kind, and gentle.  I hope he had a wonderful life!  He certainly deserved it!

I only attended Westdale for 6th Grade,  but I remember Mr. Mendak as a great principal who always had a high regard for all of his students.   The celebrations we had for the Bicentennial were especially memorable and I still remember when it was my turn to do the Bicentennial Minute over the PA system.   He was a true friend to everyone at Westdale and a great leader.

I'm another student who attended Westdale. Mr. Mendak is fondly remembered by so many of us. He really did make sure our learning environment was fun, safe and productive. Once I was stung by a bee on the playground during recess and was crying in the office waiting for the nurse. Mr. Mendak gave me a kleenex to dry my tears, told me that the bee couldn't help it because I was so sweet and shared a slice of apple from his lunch. He was the best. I can only imagine the wonderful memories his children and grandchildren have. May you all find comfort in knowing what a special impact he made on his students. God bless.

I remember Mr. Mendak fondly as a student at Westdale.   He was very involved with the students entrusted to him.   I am sad to hear of his passing, but glad to see that he had many long years.  

Michelle Bolen Kosek

I was am very said to hear of Mr. Mendak's passing.  He was my principal at Westdale.  He was always kind and who will ever forget his great smile.  He truly cared about us. He loved teaching us.  He knew everyone by name and that was because he spent time with us in classrooms and outside during recess. After many years out of school I got to know his son Dr. Stephen Mendak.  We both worked for Elmhurst Hospital.  I would always ask him how his dad was and he would say "still teaching."  I bet he is already watching over and teaching the kids in Heaven.  He will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Mendak.  He was my principle at Westdale in the late 60's.  He was such a fair man, even when I was in trouble.  We loved having him come out to the playground during recess and play with us.  I always respected him.  You have my deepest sympathies.  I hope it helps to know how very much loved he was by the majority of his students.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Dennis and Diane

I worked as the reading consultant at Westdale School for many years when Mr. Mendak was the principal.  He was very devoted to Westdale and wanted the best education for his children via their teachers.  In many ways, he is unforgetable and a major par of my learning to become a principal myself.

Mr. Mendak was my grade school principal at Westdale.  I have nothing but very fond memories of him. I can remember him riding our bus every now and then just to ensure there were no problems. He was truly a blessing for me during my grade school years, and even after when I would go back to visit.  Rest in Peace Mr. Mendak, you completed your work and God has called you home.

I will never forget Mr. Mendak as our principle at Westdale. He always brightened the days with his smile and the love he had for teaching us. I have fond memories of grade school and the morning announcements. I remember one year getting to read a story about Lief Erickson on Lief Erickson Day. I was so excited when Mr. Mendak came and asked me to read it for the morning announcements. I remember him participating with us in Charlie Brown day and many assemblies. Teachers like Mr. Mendak are far and few inbetween now a days. My family had the honor of having him in the lives of my mother, my brother and myself during our formative years. Teachers such as Mr. Mendak change our lives forever. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P Mr. Mendak my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. God has taken a great man home.

My condolences to the family.  Mr. Mendak was my grade school principal at Westdale.  What fond memories I have of my years there.  Mr. Mendak always had a smile for us.  He knew the kids in his school and he took an interest in us.  When Mr. Mendak was principal, school was a fun place to be.  I remember when I spent a couple years as part of the safety patrol, as a hall guard during the lunch recess.  Mr. Mendak would always stop by to say hi and chat (and probably see if we were doing what we were supposed to be doing but we never knew it then because he would approach with a cheerful smile and ask how things were going). We learned responsibility and he encouraged the students in his school to achieve their potential.  He didn't just sit in his office all day, he walked the halls, visited classrooms and really knew his students.  He was certainly one of a kind and I will cherish my memories of those early years of my life and be forever thankful that he was part of my formative years.   Rest in peace, Mr. Mendak, you will never be forgotten.

Steve hired me as a first year teacher back in August 1974.  No one can ever forget the fire drills, the September faculty meetings for completing the attendance registers, and his 4:00 pm exits.  I was fortunate to speak at his retirement from District 83, and I was fortunate to have him attend my retirement from District 83 last April 2012.  He was so proud of his children, sharing their accomplishments with everyone at school.  Since I now live in FL, I will be unable to attend his wake and funeral, but his family will be in my thoughts during this time.  Anyone whoever met Steve Mendak will never forget him.  He will always be an icon for those of us who knew him in Mannheim District 83.  Sleep well, Steve.  You will always have a place in our hearts.

OBITUARIO

Stephen J. Mendak

20 agosto, 1919 – 2 mayo, 2013

Malec & Sons Funeral Home

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