Felix Gregory Molina

Felix Gregory “Gregg” Molina, the son of the late Mary (nee Raya) and Ygnacio “Nacho” Molina, was an Airforce veteran, a retired union meat cutter and a former landscape business owner, as well as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24th at Northwestern McHenry Hospital, during a short hospital stay, due to complications resulting from a few years of health issues, he was 86. Greg and his wife, of almost 43 years, Lynnea have resided in Sun City, in Huntley IL for over 10 years, but were formerly longtime residents of Yorkville, IL.

Gregg was born in 1939 in Carpinteria, California, where he was raised on the family lemon, lime and avocado ranch as the youngest of 7 children. Upon graduation from high school, he served in the US Airforce stationed at the Walker Airforce Base in Roswell NM. While there, he married (Carole Leger) and had two daughters. In 1967, after 4 years of service and 2 years of active duty he was discharged and relocated his family to Plano IL to join his sister Lupe and brother-in-law Jerry Dunn to begin his post service life working at the Dunn Funeral Home in Plano. He was also a baker at Jerry's bakery, and a Plano policeman, prior to beginning work as a meat cutter for a locally owned grocery chain, beginning at Town & Country Market in Plano, manager of the Eagle Food Store in DeKalb before transitioning to the Safari Market in Yorkville where he spent over 30 years. While living in Yorkville, he was remarried to Martha Smith for 13 years. During this time, he developed a love for gardening and landscaping, took pride in his work at the market, and built lasting friendships with co-workers who became like family.

In 1983, he met and married Lynnea, and for the next 32 years, prior to moving Huntly, they made their home in Yorkville. They enjoyed entertaining, traveling, and spending time with their many friends and family. In the late 80s and 90s, he could often be found at the kitchen table after work engaged in spirited Scrabble matches with his mother-in-law, Grandma Kay—playing for a few cents per point and settling up at the end of each week.

Later when they moved to the Sun City retirement community in Huntley, Illinois, he embraced life’s simple pleasures. Together they enjoyed community events, bocce league, dinners at Jameson's and attending their grandchildren's high school and college sports games and events. At home, he spent hours playing “Words with Friends”—his modern-day version of Scrabble—on his tablet while cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Bulls. A devoted fan, he rarely missed a game, recording them when necessary to watch later.

He was a kind-hearted, hardworking family man who took great pride in his work. He was a loyal and steadfast friend, sadly to many of whom predeceased him, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Lynnea Molina, nee Osmondson-Stallman, his daughter, Francine (Jeffery) Zochalski, nee Molina, of New Buffalo MI, stepdaughter Krista Carey, nee Stallman, of Plainfield IL, stepson Jason (Michele) Stallmann of St. Charles IL, 7 grandchildren; Sophia Zochalski of Chicago IL, Tyler Zochalski (fiancé Emily Standridge) of Myrtle Beach SC, Madison (Dominick) Perona, nee Carey, and son Nico of Joliet IL, McKenzie Carey (fiancé Trevor Hauck) of Plainfield IL, Jason Jr. Stallmann, Jack Stallmann and Emily Stallmann of Elburn IL, his brother-in-law Keith (Sharon) Osmondson of St. Charles IL and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is predeceased by his mother and father, his four brothers; Vincente, Michael, Ines (Sylvia), and Jose “Joe” (Lydia), and his two sisters; Catherine Molina, and Lupe Dunn, nee Molina, his daughter Colleen Michelle “Shelley” Chitwood, nee Molina and his mother-in-law Catherine “Kay” Osmondson.

In accordance with his wishes, no public funeral services will be held. His family will gather privately at a later date to honor and celebrate his life, and he will be laid to rest at River Hills Memorial Park in Batavia Illinois.