CHESTER J. "CHET" KULIS

1945 - 2018

MOUNT PROSPECT - Chester J. "Chet" Kulis passed away on Nov. 15, 2018, at the age of 73. Chet is survived by his wife Peggy, son Michael (Marie) Kulis, brothers Joseph C. Kulis, James (Harriet) Kulis and William (Patricia) Kulis, sister-in-law Kathy Stubenrauch, as well as a niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Rose Kulis and his brother Michael J. Kulis. Chet was born on July 20, 1945 in Chicago, Ill. After receiving degrees in philosophy and sociology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and DePaul University, he received a law degree from John Marshall Law School. He married Peggy on March 12, 1977, one year to the day he first met her. A passionate advocate for social justice and community activism, he worked first for the Illinois Department of Corrections and then as a probation officer for the U.S. District Court. For many years, he taught sociology and law enforcement courses for local community colleges, as well as for Loyola University and Rosary College. Chet was a tireless soldier in the fight for gun control. He worked relentlessly to educate the public regarding gun control by serving on panels, participating in debates, organizing events, as well as writing articles and letters to local newspapers. He was also an active member of the labor movement and an early activist in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. A dedicated and loving family man, Chet enjoyed nothing more than jumping in the car with Peggy for a fun, impromptu drive - especially if a good restaurant or an ice cream parlor was at the other end. He loved folk music and never missed the Saturday night radio show "Midnight Special" on WFMT. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 24 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Friedrichs Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Road (at Northwest Highway), Mount Prospect. Burial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 at St. Joseph's Cemetery in River Grove. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. Go to ICHV.org and click on the "Get Involved" tab.