Obituaries

Chicago (Oct. 13, 2021) – Rev. Edward S. Stockus, pastor emeritus of St. Hugh Parish in Lyons, passed away Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. He was 90 years old.

Stockus was born on Jan. 21, 1931, in Chicago. He attended St. Rita High School, the University of Illinois, University of Dayton, the Illinois Institute of Technology and Loyola University and pursued a long career as a mechanical engineer. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Stockus was married, had three sons and was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1974.

After his wife died in 1986, Stockus entered the seminary at the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis., and was ordained a priest at the age of 60 on May 18, 1991 by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. Stockus celebrated his first solemn Mass on the same day at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Oak Lawn.

For the past 30 years, Stockus served the Archdiocese of Chicago as associate pastor of Divine Providence Parish in Westchester, St. Germaine Parish in Oak Lawn and St. Catherine of Alexandria, and as pastor of St. Hugh Parish where he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus in 2001.

Rev. Dennis A. Ziomek, pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, remembered his friend was very proud of his Lithuanian heritage and had always been very determined. “He shared with me that when his wife, Barbara, died, he wondered at the age of 55 if he had a calling to the priesthood.”

“I give thanks for his ministry to the people of the archdiocese, and most especially for his ministry at St. Catherine,” Ziomek said. “Among the many ways he served his people was his dedication to visiting the sick in the local hospitals. He had a deep love for his family and for the people he served. I was blessed to anoint him one last time at Christ Hospital.”

Rev. Stanley Stuglik, associate pastor of St. Gerald Parish in Oak Lawn, who looked up to Stockus as a grandfather, described him as a priest who was very dedicated to the Eucharist and Mass. “He really liked celebrating baptisms and Mass,” said Stuglik. After retirement, Stockus would go to hospitals daily to anoint people and was helpful to the priests in the area when they needed support during weekend Masses, Stuglik recalled. 

Visitation hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, followed by a prayer service at 8 p.m. While the funeral Mass will take place Friday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. All funeral services will be held at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave., in Oak Lawn. Ziomek will be the main celebrant and Stuglik will be the homilist of the funeral Mass. Interment will be held at St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Chicago.