Peterson & Patch Funeral Home

10/28/2025

Dan Patch is representing the Illinois Funeral Director Association at the National Funeral Director convention!!!

Come stop by the booth and say hello!

10/25/2025

Lois Marie (nee Gilberts) Menich, 99, of Lindenhurst formerly of Waukegan passed away peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst.

She was born August 21, 1926 in Chicago and was a long time Waukegan resident.
Lois married Joseph on May 20, 1950, they moved to Waukegan in 1951 and were married for 64 years.

She is survived by her beloved daughters, Denise (Robert Olsen) Tewes, Nancy (James) Rea; granddaughter, Jamie (Jeremy) Montoto; grandson, Eric (Katie) Tewes; and great granddaughters, Eleanor Montoto and Olivia Tewes.

Lois is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph and great grandchild, Patrick.
Services will be private for the family.

In Lieu of flowers donations in her name may be made to Animal Education & Rescue in Libertyville 523 W. Park Ave. Libertyville, Illinois 60048, www.aear.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home 408 N. Sheridan Rd. Waukegan. Please sign our online guestbook at www.waukeganfunerals.com.

Click this link to view additional details about Lois' Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/lois-menich

Lois was born on August 21st, 1926 and passed away on October 20th, 2025 at the age of 99

10/25/2025

Charles E. Flitcroft Jr. Passed away on Monday October 13th, 2025. Charles was 67 years old, He leaves behind his Father Charles E. Flitcroft Sr. (Alane); his mother Joanne (Maurice) Chase; brother Grayson Flitcroft; his sisters Penny Hill, Teresa and Jennifer Flitcroft.

He was also survived by his Aunt Ann (Dave) & Uncle Jy Buchanan & their families; many cousins Phil (Rose) Tentes, Ed (Judy) Tentes, Paula & Helen Marquis, and Tom Tentes.

He was preceded in death by his Aunts Betty Tentes (Jim) & Char (Ken); his brothers Michael F. & David Chase; and his Cousin David Marquis.

Chuck had a big heart and would do anything for anyone. He will be Missed.

Arrangements are under the direction of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home 408 N. Sheridan Rd. Waukegan. Please sign our online guestbook at www.waukeganfunerals.com.

https://www.waukeganfunerals.com/obituaries/charles-flitcroft-jr

Charles was born on July 28th, 1958 and passed away on October 13th, 2025 at the age of 67

10/25/2025

Michael Steven Wolfe, born August 13, 1939, in Waukegan Illinois passed away in Sun City Arizona on October 5, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer, with his daughter Dina by his side.

Michael married the love of his life, Rosemary, in 1966 in Chicago. Together they raised two daughters, Dina and Ruth. A devoted husband and father, Michael took great pride in providing for his family. He especially cherished family vacations, camping trips, boating and in his younger years, skiing with Dina, a skill he mastered while working as a ski instructor in Colorado.

Michael retired from Abbott Laboratories after more than 30 years of dedicated service, during which he steadily advanced through the ranks. Growing up on Grove Avenue in Waukegan, he formed a lifelong friendship with Gilbert Dorsey. Guided by a strong Lutheran faith, Michael found great meaning in his many years as a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. The youngest of three children, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Patricia Whittington and Dolores Bizer, and his parents, Stephen and Ethel.

Known for his warmth, humor, and infectious laugh, Michael was always the life of the party. In his later years in Sun City, Arizona, he enjoyed entertaining neighbors and friends with cocktails, stories, and lively games of Ship, Captain, Crew, Dominoes, and Yahtzee—often bending and revising the rules

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosemary, in 2012, and his daughter Ruth in 2022. He is survived by his daughter Dina (Kevin) Donovan of Arizona; grandchildren Nicole Donovan of Arizona, Matthew (Westlin) Donovan of Illinois, Emily Long of Arizona, and Mellena (Dakota) of South Carolina; nephew Douglas (Suzanne) Bizer of Washington and great-granddaughters Henley, Tamsen, and Quinn.

A lifelong Chicago Bears fan, Michael enjoyed the friendly banter with his daughter Dina over their opposing football loyalties—his to the Bears, hers to the Packers. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona. His legacy of laughter and love will live on in all who knew him.

A private celebration of life will be held in Arizona.

Michael was born on August 13th, 1939 and passed away on October 5th, 2025 at the age of 86

10/18/2025

Douglas Pekkarinen, age 83, a lifelong resident of Waukegan, Illinois, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, at Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on May 24, 1942, Doug spent his entire life in the Waukegan community and was a devoted parishioner of St. Anastasia Catholic Church (Little Flower Parish).

Doug attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and earned his architectural degree from Chicago Technical College in 1964. He began his career with the Illinois Central Railroad in Chicago, then joined Anderson Rheder Yandre in Waukegan in 1968. In 1974, he became a partner as the firm evolved into Rheder Rothermel Pekkarinen. In 1989, Doug became the sole owner, renamed the firm RRP, and led it until his passing.

Doug never truly retired, but in his later years, he and his wife JoAnne traveled widely to Europe, Japan, Egypt, Russia, Africa on safari, and even to the South Pole. His favorite trips, however, were family camping adventures. From cross-country journeys out West with infant children, to summers on St. Germain Lake in northern Wisconsin, to annual fall campouts in Door County, Wisconsin, Doug treasured every moment outdoors with his family.

In his youth, Doug enjoyed basketball, swimming, and water-skiing, and was a great ice skater and dancer. He also loved playing cards and chess. Doug always looked forward to time with family, especially during the holiday season. He had a rare gift for guiding his children through youthful misadventures and adult challenges with wisdom, patience, and love. You could always count on him, no matter how difficult or mundane the challenge

Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, JoAnne (née Miks); his children Joseph, James (Becky), Jeanine (Adam), Jonathan, and Jason (Kristina); and his grandchildren Jenna, Ethan, Jake, Savannah, and Dylan. He is also survived by his brothers Michael (Beatrice), Patrick (Andrea); sister-in-law Evelyn Miks; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Catherine Pekkarinen; his brother Peter (Linda); his in-laws Joseph and Genevieve Miks; his brother-in-law Joseph Miks; and his aunt and uncle, Albert “Bud” and Mabel Blaha.

His visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Peterson and Patch Funeral Home, 408 N Sheridan Road, Waukegan, IL 60085. Funeral mass will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, October 24 at St. Anastasia Church, 624 Douglas Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085. Interment will be held at Ascension Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road, Libertyville, IL 60048.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory, may be to Little Flower Parish at: https://littleflowerwaukegan.org/giving

Arrangements are under the care of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home, please sign our online guestbook at www.waukeganfunerals.com

https://waukeganfunerals.com/obituaries/douglas-a-pekkarinen

Douglas “Doug” was born on May 24th, 1942 and passed away on October 16th, 2025 at the age of 83

10/16/2025

Be sure to get outside to see all that nature has to share with you today! The leaves changing and falling is such a beautiful reminder of change.

10/13/2025

Amada madre, hija, hermana, tía, prima, y amiga, Elizabeth “Liz” Delgado-Rea se recuerda por su sonrisa brillante y su corazón de oro. Ella iluminaba cada lugar con su presencia y su hermosa sonrisa que nos ayudó a sonreír aun en los días difíciles. Su corazón la llamó a cuidar de otros y ofrecer su apoyo de cualquier manera. Quien sea que fuera, ella siempre se ofrecía para ayudar. Su pasión por ayudar la motivo a ser niñera, donde tuvo la oportunidad de cuidar de Penelope por 11 años desde recién nacida, a quien llamaba su hija postiza por el gran amor que le tuvo. Su creatividad la llevó a hacer muchos proyectos espectaculares para la iglesia, Fiestas Patrias, y festividades. El toque de Liz fue único, con mucho detalle y talento. Como la hija en medio de sus 6 hermanos; Laura, Lulu, Erika, Valdo, Ricardo, y Rene; ella siempre buscaba unir a la familiar para convivir y pasar momentos bonitos juntos. Su relación con Jesus fue una gran parte de su vida y siempre le dio mucha importancia para que los de su alrededor lo conocieran y confiaran en El. Como mama, ella fue increíble, con consejos y amor sin faltar para asegurarse que sus hijos sigan adelante. Liz vivirá en los corazones de sus dos hijas, Lissa y Stephanie, su bebe Emmanuel, su familia, y muchos amigos. Su luz seguira iluminando nuestro camino y su memoria nos inspirara para siempre. Confiamos en que Dios la recibe con el mismo cariño con el que ella entregó tanto aquí. Lo que ella sembró en vida no se va con su ausencia; permanece en cada historia, en cada gesto de amor y en cada corazón que tocó. Que su recuerdo nos inspire a vivir con más amor, más fe y más unión. No es un adiós definitivo, es un hasta luego lleno de amor y memoria. Que descanse en paz, y que lo que nos dejó siga vivo en nosotros.

Su Santa velorio será el martes 14 de octubre del 2025 de 4:00 - 8:00 PM en la Funeraria Peterson & Patch - 408 N Sheridan Rd., Waukegan, IL, 60085.

Elizabeth Marcela was born on January 16th, 1980 and passed away on October 7th, 2025 at the age of 45

10/10/2025

Seven years ago today, I lost my father — on World Mental Health Day. ❤️‍🩹

Mental health is something so fragile, often difficult to comprehend, and even harder to talk about — especially because of the fear of being judged.

There are so many people walking through similar pain, and I’ve learned that sharing our stories helps. It helps others feel less alone and allows us to heal a little too. I’ve also learned not to fear the judgment of those who cannot understand such a tragic loss — because silence helps no one.

My dad was a man who didn’t have a mean bone in his body and who always seemed so happy. What hurts the most is knowing how much he would have loved this stage of his grandkids’ lives — the moments and milestones I know he would have cherished.

“To all who walk the dark path, and to those who walk in the sunshine but hold out a hand in the darkness to travel beside us: Brighter days are coming. Clearer sight will arrive. And you will arrive too. No, it might not be forever. The bright moments might be for a few days at a time, but hold on for those days. Those days are worth the dark.”
— Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things

With love and understanding,
Funeral Director
Samantha Rossi

10/05/2025

Happy World Teacher's Day!!
We want to give a big shout out to our local teachers!! Your strength and determination is the backbone to our local schools. We are so thankful for all you do in the lives of the children of Waukegan and the surrounding neighborhoods. You have a thankless job and we want to be sure you feel all the love today!!

10/02/2025

Happy Rosh Hashana!
We hope your new year is healthy, sweet, and bright!
Enjoy this day with your friends and family.
Love,
The Peterson & Patch Team

10/01/2025

Hello October,
We are so glad you have arrived. We are so excited to see all you have in store for us this month!! We are so excited to see the leaves change, the air crisp, and all the fun to come!! Have a wonderful October!!

09/29/2025

Change can be something that is thrusted upon you, and change can be a choice. Know that you are in control of changing the narrative. Be your own best advocate and allow change to grow you in the most healthy ways possible. Let this fall be the one of change :)