Edward J. Skuta

Edward J. Skuta, 95, of Aventura, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2023, to join his beloved wife Jean of 61 years.

Born on September 3, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, to Frank and Sophie Skuta, Edward spent a part of his young life working on his family’s farm and riding horses bareback with his siblings, Josephine, Joan, and Stanley, and several cousins in Poland until 1944 after World War 11 broke out. It was at this time that he returned to Chicago and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Navy where he served as fireman first class until his honorable discharge in 1954. In his late teens and early 20s, Edward spent his free time going to dance clubs and movie theatres with Jean, who became his wife and the mother of their two children, Donna and Don. Life, as a family, was all about traveling and seeing the world. After dozens of trips to Michigan, Florida, California, New York, Boston, Oregon, Washington, Arkansas, Canada, and the Caribbean, often with their children and grandchildren, Jason, Ashley, Lauren, and Caroline, Edward decided to settle down in Illinois and work as a locomotive engineer for the Illinois Central Railroad. Although he first began shoveling coal on the steam engines and doing long hauls across Illinois, he eventually drove the commuter trains between downtown Chicago and Richton Park, Illinois, until his retirement at age 60. After living in the south suburbs for many years, Edward and Jean later decided to move south to Miami Beach, Florida, and spend time in the sun. Here Edward was able to walk three miles a day on the boardwalk, jump rope, and just exercise regularly without having to worry about the frigid Chicago winters. When asked about his life in Florida, he would always reply, “Every day is Sunday here.” Edward loved to talk and make friends with everyone. He had a great sense of humor and always had a positive outlook on life. Family and friends were always important to him. He believed in throwing parties just to get everybody together. Edward was kind-hearted and loved by everyone. According to many, he was a great guy who will be sorely missed.

Edward is survived by his children: Don (Delia) Skuta and Donna (Keith) Wrobel; grandchildren: Jason Wrobel, Ashley (Devin) Barth, Lauren and Caroline Skuta; great granddaughter: Quorra Barth; several other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 Harlem Avenue, Tinley Park, IL. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, at St. Stephens Church, 17500 84th Avenue, Tinley Park, IL. Mass is at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, IL.