Marilyn A. Hodak

Marilyn A. Hodak, 86, of Kankakee died Wednesday May 22, 2019 surrounded by family. She was born October 29, 1932 in Kankakee to John P. Yonke and Esther Anderson Yonke. She and her husband, John L. Hodak, were married for 58 years. Marilyn and John were high school sweethearts and King and Queen of the St. Patrick High School prom. She is survived by five sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Chris Hodak of Chicago, Mark and Paula Hodak of Kankakee, Bruce and Paula Hodak of Lexington, N.C., Phil and Sue Hodak of Kankakee, and Doug and Katie Hodak of Darien; eleven grandchildren Jason Hodak, Jill Ngo, Jeremy Hodak, Jared Hodak, Katie Bean, Eleanor Siebers, Hannah Hodak, John Hodak, Rachel Morris, Ross Williamson, and Carrie Williamson; and fifteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha DeFily of Downers Grove; one brother Arthur (Stephanie) Yonke of Rock Island; in-laws Kay (Jim) Vider of Panama City Beach, FL and Gladys Otto of Bay Village, OH. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, Daniel, nephew Fred; in laws, Vincent DeFily and George Otto. Marilyn and John enjoyed traveling with their family in their RV, vacationing in Mexico, square dancing, and boating on the Kankakee River. As a teenager, Marilyn began working as a carhop at Jaenicke’s Root Beer Stand. After raising her sons, she assumed various roles in the family automotive business. Marilyn was an active member of St. Patrick Parish where she was the CCW President, Woman of the Year, a Eucharistic Minister, homebound minister and led the retired women’s craft circle on Friday mornings. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Seconds to Go, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Heritage Village. She loved hosting parties, gardening, and had a particular love of butterflies. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee. The funeral mass will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Kankakee. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, St. Patrick Catholic Church, or Bishop McNamara Catholic School.

Marilyn A. Hodak

October 29, 1932 - May 22, 2019