Timothy Markowski

Timothy W. Markowski, born April 30, 1948, died unexpectedly on March 30, 2017, at his home in Schaumburg, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Walter and Vera Markowski, and his sister, Dianne Hart Marks. Tim is survived by his fiance, Jacqui LaFrance, his nieces, Lori Hart Cisko, Cindy Hart Mulligan and Glory Hart Soler, his nephew, John W. Hart and his great nieces and nephews, Shannon, Amanda, Greg, Abby, Christian, Katie, Matt and Sam. He was also loved and admired by Jacqui’s children, Jenny Schmudde and Tommy Burlinski Jr. Tim was known as “Poppy” to Jacqui’s grandchildren, Aiden and Kaitlynn. Tim was a Vietnam veteran who, during his 143 days of service, earned four Purple Heart medals and a Bronze Star with Combat V (valor) for heroic achievement while serving as rifleman in Company D, First Battalion, First Marines and First Marine Division. After his discharge from the Marines, Tim joined the Chicago Police Department and later the River Grove Police Department, a position he held until his retirement. He was a well-known local advocate for honoring Vietnam veterans and was a member of the “Rolling Thunder” motorcycle club, which honored vets through a cross-country trip known as the “Freedom Ride” to D.C. and the National Vietnam Memorial. In 1988, Tim spearheaded a drive to erect a Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial dedicated to the River Grove soldiers who died in combat. Tim, or “Timmy” as he was known to friends and family, was a long-time resident of River Grove, Illinois, and will be remembered for his military service, dedicated police work, faithful care of his mom and his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Visitation Thursday, April 6, 2017 3:00 until time of funeral service 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. Friends and family to meet Friday 10:15 a.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Rd., Elwood, IL 60421 for interment with military honors. Info 708-456-8300 or www.cumberlandchapels.com.After the interment Tim’s friends are invited to join his family in a celebratory luncheon honoring Tim’s life at the Biagio located at 4242 N Central Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 approximately 12:30 p.m.