Chris Steve Zanis fell asleep in the Lord on Father's Day, June 21, 2009, at home.
He was born April 11, 1948, in Spokane, Wash., to the Rev. Fr. Steve Zanis and Presvytera Maria. Chris was raised with strong church tradition in Washington, Tennessee and Chicago, before the family settled in Geneva, Ill., where the Fr. Steve founded St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora and served for many years. In 1953, the Zanis family started American Church Supply, a company that still provides Orthodox vestments and altar accessories to churches across the country. Chris assisted his father in the company while studying business at Loyola University, and later Sewanee.
Chris was a very intelligent man and an avid reader, particularly of religious books and the lives of the saints. He was an active member of the business community of Maple Park for many years, where he regularly attended village board and police commission meetings. He helped rewrite commission laws, zoning laws and policies concerning Maple Park's water treatment plant. He had many friends in politics and law in Kane and DeKalb counties. Shortly before his death, Chris was appointed to the Maple Park Library Board. He was a caring, generous man who could make you smile and make you feel good.
Chris Zanis is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; sons, Jon and A.J.; and four siblings, Matrona, Irene, Steve and Greg Zanis, and their families. In DeKalb, he will be missed by his aunt, Anna Halikias, and cousins, Jimmy and Mickey. Other survivors include cousins, Athena and Jimmy in Montana and Tennessee, Uncle Stanley in Illinois and Aunt Mary in Washington.
Chris is being welcomed to eternal paradise by his parents and grandparents.
Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 320 S. Second St., DeKalb. The funeral service will follow immediately at 11 a.m. Internment will take place at Willwood Burial Park in Rockford.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Zanis Family Trust Fund at Old Second Bank in Maple Park. May the memory of Chris Steve Zanis be eternal.
Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL 60115; 815-758-3841. To send an online condolence, visit www.ronanmoorefinch.com.

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Published by Daily Chronicle from Jun. 27 to Jul. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for CHRIS ZANIS

4 Entries

Patrick Maller

July 1, 2009

Deepest condolences as life will be less interesting and now missing a genuine article of Love. I have known Chris since High school and will miss the many conversations of wit and so much more. A straight forward loving big hearted man of steel who's passing will mark the end of an era in my life I enjoyed so much and will miss and pray for often. To Barb , AJ, & Jon, You will be in my thoughts and prayers & do not hesitate to call upon me !

Lisbeth (Liz) Hill

June 30, 2009

Dear Zanis family,
I've known Chris since high school in Geneva. I'm so sorry for his loss. He was a good hearted, unique individual who will be missed by all of his friends. He made so many through the years. You never got bored around Chris, he always had something interesting to talk about.
His life really became complete when he married his wife Barb and he was so thankful for her and the boys.
He loved them very much.
Barb, if you have the chance to read this, remember I'm here, whenever you want to visit the grave site.
You, AJ, Jon and the rest of the Zanis family are in my thoughts and prayers.
May Chris sleep in the grace of Gods light.

Kat Renk

June 29, 2009

Barb and boys,
So sorry to hear of your loss.May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Memories will help carry you through this difficult time.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys at this time.

Maria Sue Zanis

June 28, 2009

I am Maria Zanis and Chris Steve Zanis was my Uncle. I knew him and his wife Barb and their two sons Jonathan and A.J. I am very glad that I got to know my Uncle Chris as an adult. He was always very encouraging to me. He loved his wife and his two sons very much and would talk about them all the time. I miss him. I am so glad that I got to know him before he passed away. I would have never met Bar, Jonathan, or A.J. if it weren't for Chris always trying to contact me. Barb, Jonathan, and A.J. are very good people that I am proud to call a part of my family.

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