MARK SLADEK

Mark Sladek, age 66, of Elburn, passed away quietly into the arms of his Savior, on Sunday, February 21, 2021, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.

He was born December 21, 1954, in Lombard, IL, to proud parents, John and Jacquelyn (Zeigler) Sladek.

Mark grew up in Lombard and attended local schools. He graduated from Glenbard East High School with the class of 1973, and where he distinguished himself on the grid iron as an offensive guard.

He continued his education at Loyola University in Chicago, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1977.

He was united in marriage to Janis Doll on September 29, 1979. They were blessed with two children while they began their new life in Lombard. After he and Janis went their separate ways, Mark was lucky in love once again when he met Libby Henderson. They walked down the aisle in 2002, making memories with every step. They settled in Glen Ellyn for a time until they moved to Elburn in 2019.

His first job in the industry at AVSI as a salesman, but worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming the president. His tenure lasted ten years before moving on to various companies for the next forty years. Sales stayed in his blood until his retirement from Richards Industries in Ohio in 2018.

Mark was a proud member and alumni of the Sigma Pi fraternity.

Mark was known for his honesty and his kind heart, both in business and his everyday life. He never met a stranger and often made friends from many different walks of life. A friendship with Mark was a friendship for life. Mark was a fisherman at heart and Canada was his playground, but anywhere he could cast a line shot to the top of the list. Smallmouth bass and walleye were his favorite adversaries. When he wasn’t in a boat or on the shore, he was watching all his favorite fishing shows on T.V. The only time he put his fishing gear down was to pick up a golf club, spending quality time on the links chasing that ever elusive hole in one. He appreciated all kinds of music but his heart beat to the tune of Classic Rock, especially The Who, Tom Petty, Heart and Yes. He also enjoyed following the exploits of hopeful contestants on The Voice and American Idol and as much as he loved his bands up on stage, he was no slouch himself. Mark made a name for himself in community theater. Going to the movies was always an adventure regardless of what was playing. A movie buff, Mark had a “director’s eye” and loved watching from that perspective, picking up clues and ideas, always talking about how he would make his own movies. His grandchildren held a place in his heart like no other, and he was always happiest when surround by his family who will never forget him.

He is survived by his wife Libby Henderson; four children: Todd (Wendy) Sladek, Claire (Michael Essig) Sladek: Andrew (Susie) Bochnovic and James (Allyssa) Bochnovic; three grandchildren: Ava, Riley and Koda; two sisters: Ruth Storey and Jan (Mike) Waas; three nephews, two nieces and a family of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Jacquelyn Sladek.

A memorial visitation, limited to 50 persons at a time, will be held at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, Saturday, February 27, 2021, from 12-2 p.m. followed by a Remembrance Service at 2 p.m.  Friends are encouraged to attend and share their favorite memory or send them to be read during the service. If you cannot attend, remembrances can be emailed to conleycare@sbcglobal.net. Private family interment will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, at www.donate3.cancer.org or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can see Mark’s full life story.

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