Leonard W. Wiencek

Leonard Wiencek passed away on the afternoon of July 25, 2023, at the age of 77. Len grew up in Brighton Park, Chicago, and spent the first half of his working life at the Chicago Transit Authority, where he rose steadily through the ranks before taking early retirement in the 1980s. Having moved with his family to Tinley Park in 1975, he later took on a key role within the village’s office of economic development, helping to bring new investment and jobs to his hometown before settling down into retirement. He loved spending time in the sun by the pool, was equally happy enjoying a glass of red wine or a bottle of Pepsi, and as a proud Southsider, he loyally rooted for the White Sox, and enjoyed watching the Packers lose almost as much as watching the Bears win.

He is survived by his wife Lenore, the love of his life whom he first met at the age of 15; his children Jill (Grant) Slauterbeck and Dan (Cecelia Otto) Wiencek; his granddaughter Allison (Farhad) Sattariaghdam, aka “Li’l Mush”; his great-granddaughter Zoey Sattariaghdam; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws, who counted on him for his good humor, sound advice and ready willingness to roll up his sleeves and lend a hand with whatever needed doing or fixing. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Sophie, and his sister Lorraine Pudelek and brother Richard, aka “Moose.”

Visitation to be held 3:00–8:00 pm Friday, July 28, 2023, at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S Harlem Ave, Tinley Park, IL 60477. Funeral Mass 11:00 am Saturday, July 29, 2023, at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Catholic Church, 17500 84th Ave, Tinley Park, IL 60487. In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to the Gene Roman Foundation, 12250 Foxborough Drive, Mokena, IL 60448.