Ronald T. Waitek

Ronald Theodore Waitek, a man who centered his life around his family, his church and the Chicago Cubs, died Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, after a long illness. He was 83. 

Born Dec. 23, 1941, in Chicago, Ron grew up in Brookfield, Ill. The eldest child of Ted and Alice Waitek, he attended Gross Elementary and graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School. 

After high school, he attended college in California, where his life would change forever. He met Karen Shilts there and the couple married on April 10, 1965, beginning a life based on family, faith and friends. 

Ron and Karen moved to Naperville, Illinois in 1981 along with their two daughters, Kim and Michele. They lived there for 25 years, during which time Ron served his community as a member of the Naperville Rotary Club and the Waubonsie Valley High School booster club. 

A graduate of California State University-Los Angeles and an Army veteran, Ron was a sales representative for William H. Rorer for 20 years and later a district manager overseeing numerous states. When he wasn’t working, he could be found spending time with his daughters, whether it was as an Indian Princesses leader, captain of a houseboat floating on Lake Powell, camping enthusiast or a proud dad cheering in the bleachers. 

Strong in his Episcopalian faith, Ron was a founding member of All Saints Anglican Church in Bolingbrook, Illinois. He put in a tremendous amount of work during those early years, helping the congregation find a location, negotiate a purchase and then renovate the building. 

He found happiness on the golf course, cheering for the Cubbies, watching reruns of “Friends” and cruising. He loved Beach Boys and Billy Joel, the latter of which he saw in concert a few years ago and called it one of the best nights out he had in years. 

He had a passion for two vehicles: A 1962 white Corvette convertible and RV that he decked out in orange-and-blue in honor of the Chicago Bears. Joined by his brother, Bill, and his nephews, Ron drove the RV – nicknamed the Bear Mobile – to countless tailgates outside Soldier Field, regardless of the temperature or the team’s record. 

Ron’s greatest joys, however, were his five grandchildren. He talked about Garrett, Joey, Shannon, Emilie and Bridget to friends and strangers alike, always ready to offer a story about their academic and athletic achievements. 

Though Ron and Karen retired to Hilton Head, S.C., they frequently returned to the Chicago-area to attend sporting events, choral concerts, fishing tournaments, dance recitals and plays. They moved back to the Chicago-area a few years ago, where they filled their calendars with their grandchildrens’ activities. Whatever the event, if it involved one of his grandkids, no one in the stands or in the audience cheered louder or clapped harder than Ron Waitek. 

Ron is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters Kim (Joel) Bissing and Michele (Scott) St. Clair; Grandchildren Garrett St. Clair, Joey Bissing, Shannon St. Clair, Emilie Bissing and Bridget St. Clair; his brother Bill (Cathy) Waitek; sister Patti (Robert) Dixon; many cherished nephews, nieces and friends.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Plymouth Congregational Church 24022 W. Lockport Ave. Plainfield, IL 60544, with a memorial visitation from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 12:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Ron’s name to: Lightways Hospice, Joliet. http://joliethospice.org 

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.