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Robert Zarek Obituary
Robert E. Zarek, 81, passed away at home on August 28. Cherished life and dancing partner of his beloved Margie Nison; fond brother of Grayce Gjondla; doting and proud uncle of Sue (Bill) Holtane, Gary (Joan) Gjondla, and Greg (Lidia) Gjondla; loving great-uncle of many. Bob will be remembered as a kind and caring man who loved his family; a patriot who loved his country; and a skilled athlete who enjoyed handball, golf, ballroom dancing and more. Bob served his country with honor for 35 years. He was a radio officer in the Merchant Marines during World War II and the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and a criminal investigator with the U.S. Treasury for both the IRS and Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. He will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation/Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 9:00 a.m., at Saint Mary of the Annunciation, 22333 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein. Interment following at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Cancer Wellness Center, 215 Revere Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062, or your favorite charity would be greatly appreciated.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Zarek
4 Entries
James Wagner
August 29, 2025
God bless my Uncle Bob, a great, humble, honest and gentle man! It was a pleasure to spend time with him both when I was young and again later in life while visiting in Arizona. God bless him and his family!
tom nyhan
September 7, 2008
my condolences to the zarek family.i knew bob from the irving park ymca. a perfect gentleman on and off the court.
Jim Wagner
September 4, 2008
I'm really proud to say that Uncle Bob was my uncle. He was a great man with a great career and served our country with honor. I am so proud of all the work that he did while working for the ATF.
It was a pleasure to re-connect with him in 2005 during a visit to Arizona. He was a very kind man and always treated me and my brothers and sisters with kindness and love.
What a great man - he will be missed.
Love to all of the family that I haven't seen in 40 years - I wish you all the best
Jim Wagner
James Gjondla
September 4, 2008
My prayers are with you.
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