Frank Ciechelski

Frank Ciechelski, age 98 passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Wanda Ciechelski; loving father of Frank Jr. (Barbara), Jane (Robert) Kero, Elizabeth (Micheal) Lane, and Christine (William) Bosacki; beloved son of the late Jan (Franciszka) Ciechelski nee Bartkowiak; devoted grandpa of Amanda (the late Andrew) Yadro, Julie and Michelle (fiancé Harry Strenk) Kero, Nathan Lane, Erica (Luis) Duran, Veronica Lane, and Mark and Paul Ciechelski; great grandpa of Braelyn and Evan Yadro; Frank is also survived by his beloved niece in Poland, Barbara Gladzcak and her family, whose diligence connected the Ciechelski families in Poland and the United States. Frank Ciechelski was born “Franciszek” on January 11, 1922 in Wilkowyja, Jarocin, Poland. Frank (Franciszek) survived through WWII as a forced laborer for the Nazis, being taken from his family in Wilkowyja May, 1943 to Berlin, Germany. He remained a refugee in Germany following WWII until the United Nations created a refugee agency to deal with millions of displaced Europeans. Frank immigrated to the United States (almost Australia) aboard the U.S.S. General C.C. Ballou, arriving in New York on November 30, 1949. Frank married Wanda (Matenko), a fellow WWII refugee, in Chicago on November 7, 1953. Frank and Wanda took their first 12 hour driving trip to Deerskin Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin in the mid 1950’s on the recommendation of a coworker. Frank and Wanda fell in love with the Northwoods and passed this passion down to the fourth generation of family. “The Cottage” on Deerskin remains in the family as Dad had always wanted. Frank loved nothing more than planting his pine trees, fixing things and working the land. He continued trips with family to his beloved Northwoods into his 90’s. Frank is remembered by everyone as a smiling, kind and gentle man who was also dedicated to his wife with daily visits to Central Baptist Village while she resided there before her passing in 2017. Sincere appreciation is extended to Central Baptist Village for the exemplary dedication to providing Wanda and Frank a truly good quality of life. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. Norridge, IL 60706. Funeral services start Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home and proceeding to Divine Savior Church for Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Maryhill Cemetery. For more info please call 708-456-8300.