Joan Ann Gregus

Joan Ann Gregus (nee Dawczak) age 86, of Hickory Hills IL, passed away on December 10, 2025. Born in Chicago on July 31, 1939, Joan was the second child of Joseph and Anna (nee Domian) Dawczak's four children: the late Rose Dawczak, Geraldine (the late Donald) Kirkilas, and the late Ronald (Judy) Dawczak. She was a South Sider through and through, growing up in a bungalow on S. Sawyer Avenue, cheering on the White Sox, and enjoying a good Chicago dog.
One of Joan's lifetime passions was sports. She met her husband, the late Jacob Gregus, at a neighborhood softball game and after their marriage in 1959 and birth of their four sons, Dan (Tara) Gregus, Rick (Sue) Gregus, Kurt (Tina) Gregus, and Jason (Heather) Gregus, she became the president of St. Laurence High School Mothers Club. She and Jake were seasoned tailgaters throughout their sons' many years of football, baseball, basketball, and hockey games. Later in life, as the loving grandmother of Nicole (Craig Thompson) Gregus, Brittany (Christian) Esposito, Jacob (Hayley Perelman) Gregus, Amanda (Will) Prescott, Natalie Gregus, Olivia Gregus, Sophia Gregus, Brynn Gregus, Abbie Gregus, and CC Gregus, she attended as many of their dance recitals, basketball games, swim meets, football games, gymnastic meets, softball games, and volleyball games as she could.
Joan enjoyed golfing, playing cards, adventures with her walking group, reading, and lots of sweet treats. Most of all she loved her family and the traditions that are now being passed along to her much-adored great-grandchildren Jane, Amara, Hayden, and Nathan. Joan's family will remember her as a strong, intelligent, and devoted matriarch. She will be missed every day, especially during this year's Wigilia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's memory may be made to: Lorenzo's House https://lorenzoshouse.org
Visitation: Sunday, December 14, 3:00-7:00 PM at Lack and Sons Funeral Home, 9236 South Roberts Road, Hickory Hills; Funeral Prayers Monday, December 15, 9:30 AM at Lack and Sons Funeral Home; Mass 10:00 AM at St. Patricia Church, 9050 South 86th Avenue, Hickory Hills; Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. Information 708-430-5700.