Stephen E. Dudak, 88, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 4:24 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville. He was born April 27, 1936, in East Chicago, Indiana, the son of the late Steve and Barbara (Crnkovich) Dudak. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Ann (Lapinski) Dudak at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Madison, Illinois on April 11, 1964, and she survives. He proudly served his country with the United States Navy and had retired in 1998 from Union Electric after many years of dedicated service as a machinist. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Granite City. Stephen was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather and never missed a sporting event of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed cooking, was a great carpenter who could fix anything and was always working around the house. He was known to many in the neighborhood as the “bare foot lawn guy” for his immaculate and well-manicured lawn. In addition to his beloved wife of 60 years, he is survived by a son, Philip Dudak and his significant other, Patti Chrusciel of Collinsville; daughter, Pamela and husband, Mark Hessler of Glen Carbon; grandchildren, Andria and husband, Jonny Williams of Glen Carbon and Ryan Hessler of Glen Carbon; sister-in-law, Dorothy Kuca of Madison; nephews, John Avedisian and Steve Avedisian; other extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Evelyn Dudak, Marian Avedisian, Ilene Niemczyk and his twin sister, Stephanie Dudak and a niece, Mary Niemczyk.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Madison on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until time of a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. with Father Paul Bonk as celebrant. Burial will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Irwin Chapel of Granite City in charge of arrangements. www.irwinchapel.com
