Passed away on November 6, 2017. Beloved husband of Kathie (nee Markusic). Loving father of Michael. "Papa" to Aliza. Devoted son of late Raymond and late Claire Stelmaszek. Dear brother of Sandra ( late Joe) Wontor, Christine ( Alan) Kupsik, Cynthia, and Thomas. Uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. Dear son-in-law of late Duke and late Betty Markusic. Visitation Sunday 2:00 - 8:00 PM. Funeral Monday, November 13, 2017 9:00 AM from Elmwood Chapel 11200 S. Ewing Ave,Chicago to Sacred Heart Church (96th St and Escanaba Ave, Chicago) for a Mass Of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. (773) 731-2749, www.elmwoodchapel.com.
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Richie was a great athlete. I remember that sting in the mitt when he pegged the ball to first when played little league. You just knew he would be in baseball his whole life. He was the toughest kid I knew. I am very sorry that he has left us. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Ronald Kubiak
Acquaintance
May 9, 2018
Rich was year behind me at Mendel...the only time we competed was in intramurals...with his size, he stood out among his peers at Mendel, but you could tell the guys liked being around him...I worked with the Colorado Rockies AAA and was hoping to cross paths with him in some way, some day...Rich was a class act, a good guy, a true "Monarch"...I was shocked and very saddened to learn of his passing...
John Devine
Classmate
April 18, 2018
Valenda Newell
November 13, 2017
RIP Stelly
sterling nolan
November 10, 2017
I played in a golf outing with Rick last year.Didn't know him but seemed like a great guy. Lots of great stories and a pretty good golfer.
Bob Belke
Bob Belke
November 10, 2017
My heartfelt sympathy to the family on the passing of your love one please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Ry
November 10, 2017
Rick was a dedicated baseball man who always loved the game. Well respected. Rick was a member of the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago.He would attend every January Baseball banquet the club held and always took a table in the far back corner and joined by his baseball group of friends.
Rick is up front now and always will be remembered for the love and dedication he brought to the game of baseball.
May God Bless Rick and will be missed.
Denny Backis
Past President
Pitch & Hit Club Of Chicago
November 10, 2017
Rick was a dedicated baseball man who always loved the game. Well respected. Rick was member of the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago.He would attend every January Baseball banquet the club held and always took a table in the far back corner and joined by his baseball group of friends.
Rick is up front now and always will be remembered for the love and dedication he brought to the game of baseball.
May God Bless Rick and will be missed.
Denny Backis
Past President
Pitch & Hit Club Of Chicago
November 10, 2017
To Richard's family, sorry for your loss. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God is thinking thoughts of peace towards us, to give us a future and a hope, may that bring you comfort at this difficult time.
November 10, 2017
Kathy and Michael, we are so sorry for your loss. Rick was such a great person, co-worker and friend. We were so fortunate to have known him. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Michelle & Jim Kahmann
Friend
November 9, 2017
Rick was a dedicated baseball man who always loved the game. Well respected. Rick was member of the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago.He would attend every January Baseball banquet the club held and always took a table in the far back corner and joined by his baseball group of friends.
Rick is up front now and always will be remembered for the love he had and dedication he brought to baseball.
May God Bless Rick and will be missed.
Denny Backis
Past President
Pitch & Hit Club Of Chicago
November 9, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Stelmaszek family and friends at this difficult time.
Carlotta
November 8, 2017
My deepest condolences to Kathy and Michael for your loss. Rick and I were former battery mates on he Luluch-Ogrizovich American Legion Post in South Chicago.
Manager Rome Pavich used to refer to Rick as "the kid" because he was about a year younger than most of the guys on the team. Everyone viewed Rick as a great teammate and believed Rick, at his young age had talent with a bright future in baseball. Rich proved all of us to be correct. He will be missed.
Joe "Jody" Jancaric
November 8, 2017
Matthew McGuire
November 8, 2017
Deepest sympathy to the Stelmaszek family. May God and your great memories help you through these tough days. Hugs and prayers to you all ....
Jean & Scott Parker (Wroblewski)
November 8, 2017
Kathy and Michael my deepest condolences to you and your family. May God Bless you all and keep you in his heart.
The Stosich Family
November 8, 2017
To the Stelmaszek Family:
I had the honor and privilege of knowing Rick for a brief time in fall '73 during winter league ball in Arizona. We met in Mesa at old Rendezvous Park and hit it off because we were both from Chicago. I took him as my guest to a Phoenix Roadrunners hockey game.
After that we lost contact all these years and I am saddened by his loss. I'm glad he achieved much success as a major league coach.
I'll cherish my memories of him.
Dave Mann
November 8, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
November 8, 2017
Death leaves one overwhelmingly powerless. Kathy, I feel your pain. So sorry for your loss. God Bless You & Michael
Barbara Iwinski Marciniak
Friend
November 7, 2017
Kathy and Michael, our heartfelt condolences go out to you. Stelly was a great friend. Almost every day game at the Metrodome, it was just myself and him early in the morning about an hour before anyone else would show up. I will always cherish those times. He was always the same through good times and bad. He will truly be missed.
Jim & Kristine Dunn
November 7, 2017
Kathy and Michael, the Czulno family in Texas Is so sorry for your loss. Rich and I were friends and neighbors for many years. He not only was a kind and caring individual but also a good friend. Rest In Peace, my friend!!!
Michael & Linda Czulno
November 7, 2017
Mike & lLinda Czulno
November 7, 2017
Former Major League catcher, who later made uniquely vital contributions during his long and distinguished coaching career. Rick was a tough, qualified, and beloved Baseball Man; a mentor to Champions. Rest In Peace.
November 7, 2017
Godspeed Rick, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
November 7, 2017
Rest in peace Richie. May God Bless Kathy, Michael and family during this time of grief.
Sue Spretnjak-Baker
November 7, 2017
We'll miss you !
Adrian Barnette
November 7, 2017
My Condolences to Kathy, Michael and the entire Stelmaszek family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at such a difficult time. I've known Rich since grade school and being a neighbor. Always a great guy to talk with about neighborhood and sports.
George Yekich
November 7, 2017
Rick was a great guy. Played ball with Rick back in 1968 for the old Fernwood Bruins. He was my Catcher. He had baseball in his blood. God bless and rest in peace Rick.
BILL MOSER
Acquaintance
November 7, 2017
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Elmwood Chapel & Crematory - East Side11200 S Ewing Ave, Chicago, IL 60617
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