Steven Walter Mendelewski
Steven Walter Mendelewski, age 78, of Western Springs passed on April 4, 2024. Loving husband of Susan Mendelewski (nee Foxworthy). Dear brother of Barbara (late Jerome) McCord and Christine Mendelewski. Proud uncle of three nephews Sean, Jason and Daniel. Preceded in death by his parents Sigmund and Mary Mendelewski, sister Mary, brother John and niece Theresa.
Steve was a member of the Kappa Psi Pharmacy Fraternity and graduate from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy where he met his wife. Having dated throughout their college years, everyone but Sue knew of his plan to propose, no less in front of their classmates before the start of their pharmacology course.
As head pharmacist for the members of the Interna1onal Union of Operating Engineers, Steve implemented a mail order/walk-in prescription service.
During his childhood years, Steve sang in the choir and served as an altar boy at St. Mary of Czestochowa parish. He also took sincere responsibility for protecting his two younger sisters from any bullies, as Barb and Chris warned other kids their big brother would “mess with them”!
With his sister Barb, he organized the famous Mendel Open, a highly competitive miniature golf tournament. Complete with individual trophies, the get-together provided annual family fun and friendly rivalry.
After marrying Sue, Steve became a cat lover, fathering seven felines. Some were of high pedigree, others rescue cats, but all asserting their roles as heads of the house as cats do. One day, Steve announced it was time for a dog to join the family. Frosty Pearl entered the scene and being a herding type dog, all the rules changed!
Steve enjoyed travel. From riding on horseback to see the sun rise over the spectacular Indonesian Mount Bromo volcano, to wiggling his toes in the sand on Grand Cayman, Steve was always ready for an adventure.
Steve will be remembered for so many happy moments he shared with family, from picking giant trays of strawberries to turn into jam, overseeing the Easter kapusta, shopping for gentlemanly apparel, and his occasionally outlandish poolside behavior.
Memorial visitation 10 to 11am on Saturday May 4 at St. John of the Cross, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL. Memorial Mass to follow immediately at 11am. Livestream the Mass @ https://www.facebook.com/sjcwesternsprings. Inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, IL. All friends and family are invited to the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hinsdale Humane Society or UIC College of Pharmacy would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home in Countryside. Funeral info: 708-352-6500
Our deepest condolences to Sue and the Mendelewski family from your RIC Pharmacy Phamily. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Our condolences to the Mendelewski family. Steve was a amazing man who was intelligent, generous and kind. He will be missed by all of those who were fortunate enough to know him or work with him. Perhaps he will be able to trade some amusing pharmacy stories with my father John Zaruba in heaven. Rest in peace my dear friend I hope to someday see you again.
Dear Sue, I just now saw this, and I am just so sorry. I haven’t seen Steve in many years, but my memories of you and Steve are fond ones. He was always so nice and always had a smile on his face. I’m sure he and Terry are catching up with all of their stories of their college days, not to mention their pharmacists stories. You will be in my prayers for coping with this great loss.
Joyce and I moved out West right after graduation so we lost touch with Steve and Susan but we enjoyed our times together at UIC and many Kappa Psi activities. We remember them both with great fondness and have many photo memories of our college frendship.