James J. Zavada 1942-2013

Times Press, December 24, 2013

STREATOR — James Joseph Zavada, 71, of Streator, died peacefully  Sunday, Dec. 22, at St. Mary's Hospital in Streator.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. The Rev. Jacob Rose will officiate and conduct graveside services at St. Stephen's Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, with the rosary being recited at 3:45 p.m., at Elias Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Ed Zavada, Mick Zavada, Joe Lutz, Steve Gulvas, Vince Yuhas, Bob Sangston and John Mouser.

He was born June 1, 1942, to John and Veronica (Gulvas) Zavada, in Streator. He married Janet (Lutz) Zavada on Aug. 6, 1966. She survives.

Also surviving are daughters, Julie (Leo) Cummings, of Grayslake and Jerrilyn Zavada, of Streator; sons, Jeff (Mary) Zavada, Joe Zavada and Jim Zavada, of Streator, and John Zavada, of Ottawa; grandchildren, Alexis, Jacob and Jordan Zavada, of Streator, Lucy Zavada, of Streator, and Riley, Erin and Olivia Cummings; step-grandchildren, Robert (Janelle) Brown, of Normal, Ben (Abbey) Brown and Bethany Brown, of Streator; and step-great-grandchild, Stella Soltis; brothers, Richard (Nancy) Zavada, of Ft. Myers, Fla., and Robert (Jean) Zavada, of Streator. He also is survived by his mother-in-law, Loretta Lutz; many nieces and nephews, cousins and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary (Joe) Jakupcak, Margaret (Mac) McShane, Irene (Frank) Conner, Marcella Mallory and Veronica Zavada; and brothers, John Zavada and Michael Zavada; father-in-law, Harold Lutz; brother-in-law, Dennis Comaroto; and nephew, Christopher Miller.

James graduated from St. Stephen School and Streator Township High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Hanoi, Germany, and previously worked at St. Mary's Hospital. He retired from Owens-Illinois Glass, where he worked more than 30 years.

He was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Church and was most recently a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church. He also was a member of the Streator Knights of Columbus.

Ol' Zeke or Capital Z, as he was known, left an impression on all those he met, and they quickly discovered exactly what kind of character he was. He was a regular at Chipper's for breakfast with his fellow Owens' retirees and also visited his former co-workers on Tuesday mornings for their coffee breaks. His favorite pastimes were: useless facts, laughing at himself or jokes he heard from the boys at Owens, his pets over the years, ice cream, trees, his children, grandchildren and his wife and her family, whom he fit with like a perfectly sized glove. Happiness for him included playing dozens of games of solitaire, hearts and Free Cell, taking rides to look at Christmas lights or just to get ice cream, and spending time with Janet, whom he had been married to for 47 years and never once ceased to be the love of his life. To whomever offered up prayers and support, our family is extremely grateful. We are now and will forever be thankful to call him our father. We will miss you so much, Dad. We love you.

Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.