Richard "Rick" Krzyzek

Richard “Rick” Krzyzek, 86, passed peacefully May 10, at Manor Court in Peru, where he resided the last 6 years.

He was born October 26, 1938, in Mendota, IL to Anthony and Ruth (Gillan) Krzyzek. At the age of 6, he lost his sight in an accident but was able to gain the necessary abilities to navigate the world at the Jacksonville School for the Blind where he received his grade and high school education. He was on the wrestling team and learned many skills while being a student there. In the late 1950’s, he became the first blind student to attend NIU in DeKalb and graduated from there in 1962 after doing his student teaching at Hall HS in Spring Valley. He furthered his education at Georgetown University where he studied Russian then he attended the U of I in Champaign. He began his teaching career at Winnebago Jr. & Sr. High Schools in 1965. He retired from teaching after spending 20 years in Flora, IL at the Jr. & Sr. High Schools. He always sought to learn and better himself which eventually led him to learning computer skills. He found employment at Marriott’s Customer Service in Omaha, NE. and worked there until he was 70. He moved to Liberty Village in Peru in 2010.

Rick is survived by 6 sisters: Dolores Podobinski of Spring Valley; Ruth (Jim) Weber of Mendota; Mary Jane Tuttle of Champaign; Lois Mikleton of Rockford; Rita (Bob) Rose of Rockford; and Theresa (Rick) Brown of Springfield and 2 brothers: Duane (Julie) of Earlville and Tom (Suzanne) of Rockford as well as multiple nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Carol (Harry) Ernat and Phyllis Krzyzek; a brother Ken; 3 nieces and 1 nephew.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 24, at 11AM at Hurst Funeral Home, 650 5th St. LaSalle, with a visitation starting at 9:30. Burial will be at St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery. Memorial gifts are to be made to MASS (Mendota Area Senior Services--transportation) and the Oglesby Ambulance Association.

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