Christ Sarlas October 20, 1943- October 5, 2026
Services for Mr. Sarlas will take place all in one day on Friday October 9th at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 South Roberts Road Palos Hills Illinois 60465. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral Service will begin immediately after Visitation and promptly at 11:00 AM. Christ will be laid to rest at Bethania Cemetery of Justice.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Sarlas family, who will direct them in a way that best honors his memory.
For Information Please Call Michael Orrico @ 815/260-0668
Christ Sarlas, born October 20, 1943, in Zevgolatio-Tripolis, Greece, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, with his loving family by his side. Devoted husband of 53 years to Sofia Sarlas. Loving father of Angelo Sarlas, George Sarlas, and Matina (Christos) Giarmidis. Proud Pappou of Kosta and Tasso. Cherished brother of Nick Sarlas. Beloved uncle, cousin, and friend, to many here and in Greece. Christ came to the United States in 1966. An immigrant with little education and speaking no English, he labored hard to build a life here. He worked in the steel mills for years, and at General Motors for 25 years building diesel train engines. Nights and weekends were spent working at various restaurants, learning the trade. Eventually Christ became an entrepreneur and restaurant owner together with his brother Nick. They opened The Rib House in Burbank in 1985, and then Nick’s Steakhouse in Mokena in 1990. His extraordinary work ethic, perseverance, and courage, allowed him to come from nothing and build a legacy for his family.
In 1973 Christ returned to Greece to marry his bride, Sofia Katsikaris. They married August 19, 1973, at Agia Marina church in Sofia’s village of Skafithaki-Argos, and later enjoyed a honeymoon on the Greek island of Rhodes. After returning to the United States, they lived in a small apartment on the south side of Chicago. In 1978 they bought a house in suburban Orland Park to accommodate their growing family. 48 years later, this is the home where Christ peacefully departed this earth.
Christ enjoyed vacationing in Greece, spending time with friends and family, and watching his grandchildren play soccer. He will be missed by all that knew him. May his memory be eternal.