Ronald Thomas Dvorak November 11, 1946 – July 09, 2025
Services for Mr. Dvorak will take place all in one day on Friday August 15, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 8245 West 111th Street, Palos Hills Illinois 60465. Celebration of Life Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. Funeral Memorial Mass will begin promptly at 1:00 PM immediately after Visitation.
In lieu of flowers, the Dvorak family kindly asks that you consider a memorial donation in Ronald’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnels to Towers. Thank you
For information please call or text Michael Orrico at 815/260-0668
Ronald T. Dvorak Obituary Ronald Dvorak, age 78, passed away peacefully on July 9,2025 surrounded by his loving family at Palos Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Lorraine (Cookie) Dvorak and the cherished father of Carie (Brad) Welke, and Thomas (Tina) Dvorak. He was the loving grandfather of Dylan, Jayden, Payton, Camden, Paige and Wade. Ronald is survived by his sister, Vera (late Bill), brother, Bobby (Ursula) , brother-in-law Louis (Sophie) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ronald grew up in Chicago in the Gage Park neighborhood where he met his wife, Lorraine, of 58 years. He attended St Joseph’s College where he majored in education, followed by a 33 year career teaching History at Keller Junior High in Posen/Robbins District 143 1/2. During his teaching career he spent many years coaching basketball and created lasting memories with many of his students over the years. Ronald’s love for coaching and teaching took another step with his daughter, Carie, and son, Thomas. He would spend many years coaching their baseball, softball, football teams thru the local organizations and then followed that with many years coaching at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. He always worked the extra job over the summer months to make sure his kids always had the newest equipment and toys. He was an avid Chicago sports fan constantly watching the White Sox, Bears and Bulls and also a devoted Bobby Knight fan. Ronald loved to travel, especially with his family to Florida and on cruises. After a 33 year teaching career, Ronald took the early retirement option from teaching to focus on his second career of being a nanny for his daughter, Carie’s 3 kids. His love for his six grandchildren was something special, whether it was taking them to after-school activities, sporting events, or just watching game shows with them while babysitting. He was their biggest fan regardless of what sport or activity they were involved in. A celebration of life will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 with mass commencing at 1:00. All arrangements entrusted to Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc.