Stella Rose Knafla Kozol

STELLA ROSE KOZOL GRIFFITH, IN Stella Rose Kozol (nee Knafla), age 86, of Griffith, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2011. She is survived by her four children: Christine (Bob) Popiela of St. John, Elaine (David) Wojcinski of Highland, Rosanne (George) Kouris of Lowell, and Kenneth (Sandra) Kozol of Eldridge, IA; 16 grandchildren: Tony (Barbara) Popiela of St. John, Daniel (Cheryl) Popiela of Noblesville, IN, Brian (Megan) Popiela of Griffith, Thomas (Crystal) Wojcinski of Hammond, Peter Wojcinski of Carmel, IN, Elizabeth Wojcinski of Highland, Annie Kouris of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Kouris of Fort Wayne, IN, James, Gregory and Alexander Kouris all of Lowell, Amy Kozol of Chicago, IL and Lana Kozol of Eldridge, IA; five great grandchildren: Jennifer, Julie, John, Leo and Emilia; one sister, Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Kozol was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; grandson, Joseph (Laura) Popiela; and brother, Frank Knafla. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. DIRECTLY at St. Mary Catholic Church, 525 N. Broad, Griffith, IN with Rev. Theodore Mens officiating. Interment to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 3:00-8:00 p.m. at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road (two blocks south of Ridge Road) Highland. A prayer service will be held 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Kozol was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith and was a housekeeper at the church rectory for over 30 years. She loved traveling, reading and enjoyed gardening. Stella was a devoted grandmother.