Stanley "Stan" Ogozelec

Stanley “Stan” Ogozelec, 76, of Robinson, IL, formerly of Martinsville, IL, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025. He was born on June 25, 1949, in Oak Park, IL, the son of Stanley J. & Lorraine (Ward) Ogozelec. He grew up in Cicero, IL, graduated from Morton East High School, and soon after answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War. Stan proudly wore the uniform of the U.S. Army, not with a rifle in his hand, but a camera. As a videographer and photographer, he captured the reality of war even as bullets flew around him, carrying only a sidearm for protection. His courage and dedication earned him the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

When he came home, Stan set his sights on computers. He worked security while attending North Central University to earn his computer certification, then spent seven years as an operations programmer at Jewel-Osco before moving on to Arthur Andersen Consultants, where he did similar work for a bank until his retirement. But the Stan people remember best wasn’t defined by his work. He was a man of music, transforming every room into a dance hall with his electric accordion and his passion for polka. He was a man of games, a ranked chess player in his younger days who continued to play well into retirement, logging on daily to match wits with opponents from all over the world. And he was a man of humor: sometimes dry, sometimes (wildly) inappropriate, but always uniquely his. He made up his own words to songs, kept his nurses laughing (or blushing), and never missed a chance to remind everyone of his famous line: “When in doubt, just buy Pa presents.”

Stan was never one to back down or give up; not on his plans, not on his family, and not on his faith. As his health declined, he didn’t fear what was coming. Instead, he asked his family to pray him all the way home. When God answered, Stan’s story here came to its close, but we know that his best and truest chapter has just begun.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ramona (Kasprowicz) Ogozelec; and his step-son, Raymond Tanner Jr. He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law, Brian & Sara Ogozelec; by his step-children, Donna & Daniel Loera and Joshua & Nikki Tanner; by grandchildren, Brad & Debra Pitts, Heather & Jason Melton, Danielle Loera, Corey Tanner, Josh & Lauren Tanner Jr., Charli Tanner, and Allie Lawhead; by six great-grandchildren; by his sister, Diane & David Salvino; and by several nieces & nephews and great-nieces & nephews.

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20th, at Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. At 2:00 p.m., the service will open with military honors rendered by the United States Army, joined by the Robinson VFW Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, and Flat Rock American Legion Post #132. Afterward, Celebrant Curt Goodwine will guide a service of remembrance, inviting those gathered to share stories, memories, and even a little laughter as they celebrate Stan’s life. Burial will take place in the Robinson New Cemetery at a later date.