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About Us
Philosophy
The Wolniak Funeral Home is committed to treating each family as its own. With sincerity, pride, and dedication, we are committed to this time-honored tradition.
History
The Wolniak family began their funeral business in 1922, when funeral services were held in the homes of the deceased. Leonard Wolniak Sr. and his wife, Anna, built the original chapel at 4604 South Wolcott in Chicago. Together they served the Back of the Yards area of the city until Leonard Sr. died in 1953 just after they broke ground on the current chapel at 5700 South Pulaski Road, near Midway Airport. His wife, Anna and son Leonard Jr., chose to carry on the family business. After completing the plans for construction of the new facility they also continued to serve the families at the original location until 1992 when Sacred Heart Church closed. Anna Wolniak worked as a licensed funeral director for 25 years until her death in 1978.
Leonard Jr. and his wife Helen succeeded Anna after her death. While raising a large family, Helen played an integral part in running the funeral home with her husband. In June 2009 Leonard Wolniak Jr. celebrated his 50th year as a licensed funeral director and was honored by the Illinois Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) for his service. Proud of this accomplishment, Leonard is grateful he has had the opportunity to serve the many neighborhood families he has known for generations. Soon after this anniversary Leonard and Helen turned over the daily operation of the business to their oldest daughter Nancy Wolniak - Cook. As the current owner and operator of the funeral home, Nancy Wolniak - Cook is a 3rd generation funeral director.
Now a licensed funeral director for over twenty years, Nancy Wolniak - Cook grew up with her four sisters above the Pulaski chapel where she acquired a first hand knowledge of the funeral business. In 1996, she became the first funeral director in Chicago to earn the title of Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC). Nancy has remained committed to maintaining a high standard of professional practices.
Due to our growing reputation for providing the highest quality of service, and with the increase in requests for preplanned funeral services, the Wolniak Funeral Home staff has expanded to meet the demand. In recent years, Nancy and Leonard have developed a staff of qualified and caring individuals to assist them in continuing the funeral home’s mission of providing service to families in their time of need.
Fully licensed funeral directors, Kevin Kalva, and Stanley Ozlanski, along with the other staff members at the Wolniak Funeral Home, take pride in providing professional services with genuine sincerity and concern for each and every family. Leonard’s third daughter, Janet Wolniak Bender, a professional music minister, joins Nancy in operating the business and coordinating the many personalized services the Wolniak Funeral Home staff are dedicated to providing on a daily basis. The Wolniak family and staff are dedicated to helping families with all aspects of funeral arranging for their loved ones.
Staff
Founders
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Leonard Sr. and Anna Wolniak Leonard Wolniak Sr. and his wife, Anna founded the business in 1922. Together they served the Back of the Yards area until Leonard Sr. died in 1953 just after they broke ground on the current chapel located at 5700 S. Pulaski Rd. near Midway Airport. Leonard Sr. devoted himself to his business and family, but also recognized the value of community involvement which remains the funeral home’s philosophy. Anna Wolniak, one of the few pioneering women in the funeral industry for her time, remained active with the family business until her death in 1978. |
Wolniak Family & Staff
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Leonard Jr. and Helen Wolniak Leonard Wolniak Jr. and his wife Helen opened the current chapel located at 5700 S. Pulaski Rd. in 1957. Together Leonard and Helen worked side-by-side serving families of Southwest Chicago and its nearby suburbs. Leonard graduated from Notre Dame University, and then went on to study at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. He became a fully licensed director and embalmer in 1959. An active participant in community programs, church activities and fraternal organizations for many years, Leonard served on the board of directors for the City Colleges of Chicago for several years. Helen, as mother of five daughters and her husband’s partner, participated in the full management and operations of the family’s funeral home. In recognition of their leadership qualities, involvement with children and adults with special needs, commitment to community affairs and excellence within the funeral industry Leonard and Helen received the 2001 Humanitas Award given by the Caritas Society and the St. Colleta’s of Illinois Foundation. |
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Nancy Wolniak-Cook Nancy Wolniak-Cook, third generation director and owner, received her Funeral Director and Embalmers License in 1981 after graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She also earned a bachelors degree in special education from Illinois State University. In 1996, Nancy became the first funeral director in Chicago to earn the title of Certified Preplanning Consultant. As president and owner, she is dedicated to the day-to-day operations of a 24-hour business and continues to maintain her commitments to the community’s churches, schools and organizations. In 2005, St. Turibius Parish awarded Nancy and the Wolniak family the Pillar of the Parish Award for service and dedication. |
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Janet Wolniak Bender Janet lived above the family funeral home for 27 years. After she graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Music Therapy, Janet worked with the severely handicapped children at Misericordia Home. She also obtained her Nursing Home Administrator’s license. Since 2001, Janet has been assisting her sister, Nancy in managing the day-to-day operations of the family business by coordinating the many personalized services offered at the Wolniak Funeral Home. Also, through her many years of experience as a church musician, Janet is able to enhance the funeral services with musical accompaniment and liturgy planning. |
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Kevin A. Kalva
Kevin completed the Mortuary Science Program and received his Associates Degree at Malcolm X City College in 1993. He than started working for the Wolniak Funeral Home as an apprentice funeral director and after one year of training, Kevin became fully licensed as a funeral director and embalmer. By living at the funeral home for several years, he became fully experienced in the 24-hour nature of funeral service, and in 2004 Kevin successfully completed the program to become a Certified Preplanning Consultant. Kevin has been an active member of the West Lawn Chamber of Commerce for many years and remains dedicated to the business community. |
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Stanley J. Ozlanski Born in Poland, Stanley immigrated to the United States with his parents at age seven and was raised in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. After graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science he received his funeral director’s license in 1979. Extensively involved with church and community, Stanley participates in the Holy Name Society, Finance Committee, Sports Program, Pastoral Council, Polish Dance Committee, Lecturer and Eucharistic Minister. With his many years of experience Stanley continues to have a genuine enthusiasm in helping each and every family. |
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Joan Gacek Joan helps maintain funeral records, documents and forms. Since 1993 she has been assisting the funeral directors and families at the Wolniak Funeral Home. Her ability to put so many people at ease during their time of loss is only one of her many contributions that is so significant. |
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Juanita Pelayo Since 2003 Juanita has been responsible for accounts payable. She also helps with other funeral related tasks including translating services. As a valuable person who fully supports our “team approach” at the Wolniak Funeral Home, Juanita is a very important staff member. |
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Yolanda Gamboa In 2009, after retiring from a 32 year career at the University of Illinois at Chicago as an information technology professional, Yolanda Gamboa "Yoli" joined the Wolniak Funeral Home staff. Yolanda has vast experience in Hispanic ministries and is a skilled bi-lingual, Spanish translator. She is currently an Administrative Assistant to the Principal of St. Mary Star of the Sea School as well as an active volunteer of the school & parish. Her involvement with the local community, Our Lady of Guadalupe Society, Quinceañera preparation and coordination, Eucharistic Ministry, Choir, and Girl Scout Leading, enriches Yolanda's life and all of the families she serves at the Wolniak Funeral Home. Yolanda assists the Wolniak Funeral Directors with Spanish Funeral Services and Spanish translations during funeral arrangements as well as many other funeral related services at the funeral home. She is a most versatile person who has enhanced the Wolniak Funeral Home "team." |
