Memorials
Carlota Orantes Alvarez Virrey
November 08,1940 – August 22, 2024
She was born in Guatemala City and came to the U.S. in 1961
where she proudly became a U.S. citizen September 14, 1992.
She had an incredible work ethic and gave 25 years of service to
the Marriott Hotel from where she retired. Her joy and passion
were giving and serving to others. She gave to various
organizations for more than 20 years such as, St. Jude’s, Purple
Heart foundation, Native American Heritage Association, and
ASPCA. She also served her church and the congregation; every
Sunday she was the first one there even before the Pastor.
She is survived by her three daughters Lucy Cruz (Maco), Lisa
Cabrales (Jesse), Liz Mbachu (Obi), two grandsons Nathan
Cabrales (Kathy) and Matt Cabrales, two grandchildren Liam
Cabrales, Jonathan Cabrales, and soon to arrive baby Lincoln
Cabrales. She was our prayer warrior. She was loved beyond
words, missed beyond measure, and forever in our hearts.
Nació en la Ciudad de Guatemala y llegó a los Estados Unidos en
1961, donde orgullosamente se convirtió en ciudadana
estadounidense el 14 de septiembre de 1992. Tenía una ética de
trabajo increíble y brindó 25 años de servicio al Hotel Marriott de
donde se jubiló. Su alegría y pasión eran dar y servir a los
demás. Ella donó a varias organizaciones durante más de 20
años, como St. Jude's, la fundación Purple Heart, la Native
American Heritage Association y ASPCA. También sirvió a su
iglesia y a la congregación; todos los domingos ella era la primera
en llegar incluso antes que el Pastor.
Le sobreviven sus tres hijas Lucy Cruz (Maco), Lisa Cabrales
(Jesse), Liz Mbachu (Obi), dos nietos Nathan Cabrales (Kathy) y
Matt Cabrales, dos nietos Liam Cabrales, Jonathan Cabrales y el
bebé Lincoln Cabrales que pronto llegará. Ella era nuestra
guerrera de oración. Fue amada más allá de las palabras,
extrañada sin medida y para siempre en nuestros corazones.
Jeffrey Howard Bigger
1952 - 2024
Jeffrey H. Bigger passed away on February 28, 2024, at age 71, in Northbrook, IL. Born in 1952 in Huntington NY, Jeff moved with his family to Wisconsin, and later relocated to Wheaton, Illinois where he attended high school. He studied at Northern Illinois University, and was later employed by Motorola, from which he took an early retirement after working there over 20 years. He married Jean Schlegel in 1974 and they raised a family in Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, and Geneva.
Jeff was a passionate and talented guitarist. He admired musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck and became accomplished at emulating their styles. He played with numerous bands over the years and had a lifelong love of music and playing. He also was fascinated with how things work, loved aviation, and could identify any airplane he saw. And he truly enjoyed a home-cooked meal, particularly when shared with family and friends.
In recent years, Jeff suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and he moved to a facility in Northbrook. Though his body failed him, his mind remained sharp, and his passion for sharing knowledge never faded.
Jeff is survived by his son Ian Bigger (Gayle Dieck), daughter Erin Bigger-Goldlust (Jason), granddaughter Alexis Bigger, ex-wife Jean Bigger (Robert Schiltz), sister Barbara Carlson, brother-in-law Frank Schlegel, nieces Sarah Carlson, Michelle Lapp, Christine Schlegel, nephews John Carlson, David Carlson, and Daniel Schlegel, and many great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother Martha and father Howard, daughter Alicia, and brothers-in-law Brian Carlson and Walter Schlegel.
Pedro Claudio Gonzalez
1959-2024
Pedro Claudio Gonzalez ,59, passed away suddenly Saturday July 6, 2024 after a sudden trip to the hospital Our Strong Beloved Friend was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. He was born February 9, 1959 in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico ; son of Pedro and Elsa Gonzalez .
Pedro was employed as a Machine Operator at Lakone Company. He enjoyed cooking, gardening his vegetables & flowers listening to his music, dancing, joking around pedro was such a funny man he loved everyone and everyone loved him he loved spending time with family and friends. Pedro is survived by his wife of 35 years, Margarita Gonzales, step children that he raised as his own Tony Lorena n Louis (Gonzales) , His Son Edgar Claudio Gonzalez His sister Evelyn ; brother’s Edgar(Flacko)and Jose(Gordo) His Grandchildren; Mireya, Damien, Envy, Lorena, Hazel, Serenity, Olivia, Cynthia, Gabriel, Johnuel, Yamil, Namil, Edgar, Dina, Talita, Noah, Hazara many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister Miriam.
Family will be receiving guests Tuesday July 16, 2024 from pm to pm at Dieterle Memorial Home 1120 S. Broadway in Montgomery.
Martin (Marty) John Mazurek
(April 1, 1949 – March 6, 2024)
Martin John Mazurek, 74, unexpectedly passed away on March 6, 2024, while sharing God’s love with others at a local food pantry. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949 to John and Sophie Mazurek and grew up in Mundelein, Illinois. He attended Carmel High School where he felt “this school made him the man he was today.” He went on to study Mathematics at Northern Illinois University. After graduation, he worked at Sears Roebuck & Co. and Merck where he retired.
Marty met the love of his life, Barb in 1970 while attending a dance at Northern Illinois University where Barb
walked up to Marty and asked him to dance. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married in the spring of 1972. Marty and Barb were eager to start a family and they were blessed with two beautiful children – Michelle & Bryant.
Marty will be remembered for his compassion, love, and giving back to the church and community. He took the
hand of God and administered communion and prayer to those in the hospital. Marty enjoyed engaging with
Pre-Cana couples about the sacrament of marriage. Volunteering was his life, including Loaves & Fishes, Hesed House, and Special Olympics to name a few. Marty battled cancer and was a positive influencer in the lives of his cancer mentees. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His mantra was to make others smile.
If he was not busy volunteering, Marty enjoyed spending time with Barb outdoors riding bicycles, cruising on the
Harley or in his favorite red sports car. Do not forget about the Sunday family triple solitaire challenges.
In keeping with Marty’s loving and generous spirit, it was his wish to make an anatomical donation to the
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to contribute to the advancement of science and medical
research. Marty wanted to “pay it forward.”
Marty was preceded in death by his parents John & Sophie Mazurek and brother Johnny Mazurek. He is survived by his wife Barb, daughter Michelle, son Bryant (Erica), and grandsons Lucas, Benjamin, and Adam. Oldest brother Ron (Carole) and Ron’s kids Elise (Tom Borst), Paul (Anna), and James.
Memorial Mass is Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 11:00 am (CDT) at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Road, Naperville, Illinois, 60540.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to one of the following organizations where Marty
volunteered.
Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Naperville, Illinois (https://www.loaves-fishes.org)
https://www.loaves-fishes.org/ways-to-give/
Hesed House, Aurora, Illinois (https://www.hesedhouse.org)