Walter Postelnick

On Tuesday, July 6th, 2021, Walter John Postelnick Jr., loving father of five, grandfather, and husband, passed away at the age of 90.

Walter John "Wally" Postelnick, Jr., U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, passed away suddenly on July 6, 2021. Walter was the beloved husband of Dianne, nee Richards, for 66 wonderful years; loving father of Debbie Tuzak, Daniel W. (April) and Darryl (Karen) Postelnick, Doreen (Kris) Burns and the late David Postelnick; cherished grandfather of Amanda, Joey, Danny, Shannon, Nicole, David, Lexi, Lindsey, late Sydney and Lauren, Madison and Kinzie; great grandfather of Brooke, Nathan and Quinn; dear brother of Flori (the late Steven) Oprondek, the late Joseph (the late Barbara) and the late Thomas (Barbara) Postelnick; fond uncle of many.
Walter, “Wally” as he was known by many, was born in Chicago on December 2nd, 1930. He was the oldest of four siblings. He graduated from Crane High School, where he also excelled in competitive swimming. Wally went on to serve in the Korean War as a machine operator and electrician and later attended Greer Technical College (now Lincoln Tech) to become a trained auto mechanic and machinist. On May 21st, 1955, he married his wife of 66 years, Dianne Richards Postelnick. The two of them went on to raise three sons and two daughters.

Wally loved the outdoors. Most notably, boating, fishing, and camping. So much so that he combined the three to start traditional family reunions to Door County, WI. But that wasn’t enough, and in 1999 he and Dianne moved to Lake Summerset, IL where they and the rest of the family could enjoy what he loved year-round. When Wally wasn’t able to be outside, you could expect that he was rooting for the Cubs and the Bears on TV or watching a western film, as he was a huge fan of all three. One of the countless blessings he received was seeing the Cubs win a World Series.

At his very core, Wally was a family man. Nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by his loved ones. The smile on his face when anyone he loved came in his presence lit up the room. Wally would hold your hand the whole time you held a conversation with him. And his love didn’t stop at his family; Wally was loving and accepting of all the family friends that were so blessed to meet him. Out of the many traits Wally has left with his family, unconditional love stands above all else.

Visitation Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. Funeral services begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, at the funeral home, and will then proceed to St. Francis Borgia Church in Chicago for Mass at 10:00 a.m. The interment will follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles.