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BORN

1965

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. - Lemont

108 Illinois Street

Lemont, Illinois

Keith Michalek Obituary

Keith Michalek

Keith Michalek, age 52, of Lemont, IL, passed away suddenly, February 26, 2018.

He was a devoted son, brother and friend.

He is survived by his father, Richard (Sandy) Michalek; his mother, Doris (Ron) Wingender; his sister, Barbara (Don) Betley; and his brother, Wayne (Shawna) Michalek.

He was preceded in death by his beloved uncle, Bob Michalek.

He volunteered in his lifelong community as a former member & President of the Lemont Jaycees, a member of Lemont Lions Club, and as an announcer for the Keepataw Days Parade. He was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed the outdoors by fishing, golfing, and hiking with his childhood friends. He was an avid sports fan who never gave up on his Chicago teams.

Visitation Thursday 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C., 108 Illinois St. Lemont. Funeral services Friday, March 2, 2018, 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Alphonsus Church for Mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Alphonsus Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Lemont Food Pantry or to the Lemont Lions Club.

Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C.

630-257-6363 or www.markiewiczfh.com

Published by Suburban Life Publications on Mar. 2, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for Keith Michalek

Sponsored by Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. - Lemont.

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Today is a very difficult day for a lot of people that loved the man, the myth, the legend, K-Man. I often think about you and wonder what it would be like to hear you laugh again or see that huge smile on your face. I often have dreams about you in which I wake up overcome with emotion because I got to see you again. I miss hearing you do imitations from the movies we loved. I miss the way you would power through the biggest cheesburger I have ever seen and then jokingly say, I could use another beer what about you? I miss the way you could always make me laugh or how you would listen so intently when I was telling you something serious. Today would have been another milestone in your life, turning 56. I wish you were here so we could celebrate with a cold beer and a Turnabout Pizza. I know I am supposed to let you go, but that’s not an easy thing to do especially, when you love someone as much as I loved you. I know my heart will never fully recover until I see you again. I miss you so much! I raise my glass of cold beer and my slice of Turnabout Za to you!
Happy Birthday K-Man!

Bryan Sheldon

Friend

March 11, 2021

It has been 2 years since my friend Keith was called home. I have been told things will get easier with time. I am not convinced this is really true. My heart is still shattered...I miss hearing his laugh. I miss his sense of humor which was so unique. Keith had an amazing wit about him and was always able to make me laugh. He was my dear friend and whenever we were together it was a great time. It is so hard to understand why God chose to take him away from all of us. I struggle with this thought, especially, when I look at his picture or recall hearing his voice call out my name. Memories mean so much. Sitting with him on the couch and watching sports, enjoying a cold beer and a burger, catching up on what was happening in his life and telling him about mine. There is no better feeling then remembering something funny he said and sharing a laugh with him again. He touched my heart in so many ways and I will treasure his friendship forever. Keith, there will always be a special place in my heart for you. I will never forget all the great times we shared. Thank you for being such a kind, caring, sweet, funny and completely amazing friend. I feel so blessed to have had you in my life.

Bryan Sheldon

Friend

February 26, 2020

I just found about Keith today. I was shocked when I heard the news. He was genuine and kind person. He was very nice and friendly. My sincere condolence to his family.

N Patel

October 28, 2018

I used to frequent the CVS that Keith worked at. We've since moved farther away from that CVS, but I stopped in there today (I was in the area - I always liked when I went to the CVS and saw him - today I actually looked forward to it).

I didn't see him today, but saw a picture of him with the words Rest In Peace on it. I was immediately saddened to learn that he passed away. He was ALWAYS super nice and friendly. I'm going to miss him whenever I go to that store.

He was one of those people who brightened up your day because he always seemed to have a smile on his face. He was definitely a person who made my world a better place.

Thank you for being so nice and friendly, good sir... Rest In Peace...

Patricio Aguilar

Acquaintance

September 10, 2018

I just heard about Keith's passing today when I stopped in at CVS near my home. I am so sorry for your loss. Keith was always kind, friendly and helpful. As crazy as retail can get, he was always calm, and smiling. I'm not sure how someone can make a person feel at home in a business, but that's what Keith did; he made everyone feel welcome. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Christine Bock

Acquaintance

April 12, 2018

In this day and age of instant gratification and rushing around to get things done, it is rare that people get to know the man behind the counter, but it feels like everyone in the Schaumburg area knew Keith! He always had a smile and a greeting for every person that walked into his store. He was patient and kind, and after reading what everyone has written about him, I just wanted to express my sympathy to his friends and family. He sounded like he was a true saint and we will miss seeing him when we go to his store.

Sharon T.

March 26, 2018

I stopped in his store yesterday and hear the news, I was devastated and shocked & then his co-worker pointed to the picture they put up and I started to cry.

I've worked with him for the last 4 years, he was one of the nicest and hard working store managers I ever met.

There is NOTHING he wouldn't do to accommodate someone & he was always rushing here & there.

I will miss you Keith, but I know you up there now & hopefully caught the "really big one" that got a way!

Dee Caputo

March 22, 2018

My condolences to Keith's family, my kids and I found out this week and the news made us very sad. Every time I saw him he was working hard, putting things away or working on the counter. Always with a smile and ready to help you out. I hope his soul is in a special place with God.

Adriana Andrade

March 15, 2018

Condolences to his friends and family. We have been going to this CVS for years and he was such a kind person. He will be missed!

Tina

March 12, 2018

Keith will be remembered for all the great efforts and thoughtfulness he had for everyone at the CVS in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates. Our thoughts and prayers with him and his family.

Marko Popovic

Friend

March 11, 2018

Today would have been Keith's 53rd birthday. I still can't believe that my dear friend is gone. I have really enjoyed reading through some of the messages that his co-workers and current CVS customers shared about Keith. These wonderful sweet messages are testimonials that speak volumes about the kindness of this amazing man. He was someone that would give you the shirt off his back and not even think twice about it.

Keith was a simple man that loved to make others smile. He did this in a variety of different ways, whether it was a kind greeting, a funny joke, a warm hug, working an extra shift to help someone, helping the less fortunate, or simply asking, is there anything else I can do for you? He showed his love for his family, friends, co-workers and customers and everyone in this world by always being there for them. He would do whatever he could to make our lives better. I think actions speak louder than words and when it comes to Keith, this saying couldnt be truer and describes him perfectly.

Happy Birthday K-Man! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face!
I love you more than words can ever say!

Bryan Sheldon

March 11, 2018

My daughter & I met Keith 12 years ago at CVS. My daughter has Downs Syndrome and Keith always made a point of coming over to talk to her. She was only 2 years old and now is 14. She called him "Keith Urban" and always looked forward to her hug from Keith Urban. We both cried when we learned of his passing. We miss him so much and have a hard time even driving by the CVS now. Our sympathies to his family. He was our angel in life and now truly an angel in Heaven.

Laurie Sweet

March 10, 2018

I have known Keith for the past five years. As a CVS customer, Keith always met me with a smile and conversation. I will truly miss him. He was a wonderful person.

Charlyne McGraw

March 9, 2018

Its been a week and Im still in shock. I had spoken to Keith the week before and we were laughing about how we would never see anything we need to do the new planos. He was saying how he gets five weeks of vacation and was looking forward to them. Such a wonderful, kind hearted man. My sympathy goes out to his family and his staff. I will miss him saying Hi Donna, Hows things on the south side? I work for the other Schaumburg CVS.

Donna Eckhorn

March 7, 2018

I've been going to Keith's CVS for 10 years now. He was always so nice and helpful. Always smiling. Always said hello. He seemed like such a gentle person. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of his passing while I was there today. I didn't know him well, but he will be missed!

Kristin

March 5, 2018

Going into CVS, I was always welcomed by Keith with a smile and genuine willingness to help me.
Imagine my shock when I entered today and was greeted with a picture of Keith and the words, "Rest in Peace "
I just couldn't believe it - So Incredibly Sad!!!
my heart goes out to all of you who are grieving the sudden loss of this Super Nice Guy ❤

Ellie VanLancker

March 5, 2018

I had been shopping at Keith's CVS for a few years, since it used to be across the street from my house. I remember he was always very kind and friendly. I actually had applied to his store for a job but was too young to get hired. I was later hired at another CVS and when I would stop by his store he would always ask me about school, work and joke around. He always said hello to me and smiled when he saw me enter his store, even when he was helping other customers. When I moved closer to my store, I still went to his CVS occasionally. At CVS, employees are all like second family so when I found out about his passing I was shocked and feel like I lost a fellow colleague. I will greatly miss seeing him. My thoughts are with his friends, family, and community.

Andrea Fierro

March 5, 2018

I had the pleasure to work with Keith both at Osco and CVS. Keith was a well respected Manager. It wasn't uncommon to see him in the trenches working with his team.Keith made you feel like you wanted to stay until things were complete because you were part of the store team.Not only was Keith a great manager, he was a wonderful, kind, and funny person. Keith was kind to his team, customers, vendors, peers,etc. I never heard him raise his voice and he was always willing to help another store when in need. He had such a positive attitude and always a smile. Keith will be missed by many. My sincerest sympathies.

Nancy Rigitano

March 4, 2018

I am a customer at Keith's CVS - & when I was there today, I saw the picture of him & heard the news. I am so sad. I started to cry as I stood in line, thinking of how many times I had been in his store - & how kind & sweet he was all of the time. He always had a smile and a greeting for every customer. It's one of those things - where you wish that you had said something - like - you know - you make this a great place to shop. But, you just don't think of saying that until the person is gone, I guess. I am so sorry for your loss - & the tribute I read from his best friend... it seems that Keith must have been a wonderful person.

Amy D'Aquila

March 4, 2018

My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with you and your family. May God Bless and hold your hearts in this most difficult time.

Jeanelle Kardas

March 2, 2018

Rich, Doris, Barb and Wayne, my sincere condolences with the passing of Keith. My prayers are with you and all your family during this difficult time. Treasure your memories, he will always be in your heart.

Cindy (Barry) Metz

March 1, 2018

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Patricia Hansen (Barry)

March 1, 2018

My sincerest sympathies. When I floated to work in the clinic in his store, he was the positive factor about going there. He was such a hard-worker and was always friendly to me, no matter what was going on with business. He will be missed greatly!

Mary McManus

March 1, 2018

Barb, Don & all of Keith's family and friends: It's so hard to find the "right" words in such a sad time to offer some small comfort to those grieving the loss of this special guy. Please know that Ray and I are with you all in spirit and we send our most sincere condolences -- hugs too!

Jean Krusinski

March 1, 2018

My time with Keith was short, but memorable. He set an example by not only being hard working, but also a very kind, funny and understanding boss. We felt like a family instead of coworkers and tbat was due to his leadership. He will be missed and remembered fondly.

Lynn

March 1, 2018

Alex Albrecht

February 28, 2018

My sympathies he was a special person

February 28, 2018

It is so hard to put into words how I am feeling. Keith was one of my very best friends in this entire world. I was fortunate enough to be able to share a great deal of my life with him. He was an amazing person and I loved him with all my heart. Right now, my heart is shattered in a million pieces because of this tremendous loss.

I had the pleasure of being able to call K-Man my friend for over 45 years. We shared so many great times together - which I will treasure for the rest of my life. He was somebody that was always there for me and helped me through some of the toughest times of my life. He was always there to stand by me and support me or help in any way he could. He was a very kind person and he had a huge heart. Many of you may know that Keith had an incredible work ethic and would do whatever it took to get the job done. This trait was very evident when he was with the Jaycees. He gave so much of his time and his heart to this wonderful organization. I know Uncle Bob would be so proud - he is probably telling you that right now. Thank you both for your service!

Keith and I shared a very special friendship and we loved to make each other laugh. We found out early on that we were somewhat similar. We both loved sports, watching and playing them. We also had the same fun sense of humor. I loved to see him smile when I said something that made him laugh and he would do the same for me. I am going to miss seeing his smile and hearing him laugh more than anything!

He was very intelligent and he always had this amazing determination to see things through to the end. This was a trait that was instilled by his mom and dad at an early age which Keith carried this with him always. This allowed him achieve many goals he put his mind to such as becoming an eagle scout, achieve academic excellence, and working his way up the ladder of the Osco/CVS organizations. His tenacity was second to none and when he put his mind to something nothing would stop him.

Keith loved to reminisce about the days when we were in grade school and high school. These were some of the greatest times of his life. He would often recall all the fun things we did together.
Some of my fondest memories include; sleep overs and hanging out at the Michalek's house, watching Keith play Basketball in Grade School and High School, playing pick-up Baseball and Football games on the field by my house, playing pool down in the basement, playing volleyball in the pool, playing basketball with Gary and Wally and watching him Dunk over me and others, watching movies, listening to Keith recite lines from movies we watched, doing character voices, watching football games together with friends, enjoying our favorite Turnabout or Tombstone pizza with friends, hanging out at the house with Keith's Mom and Dad, Wayne and Barb, attending a Jimmy Buffet Concert with my wife Sue, Keith, Dennis Sobeck, Don and Barb, attending Wayne and Patty's Wedding Celebration, meeting Keith in Hilton Head to hang out and play golf, flying to Phoenix to watch him run his first Marathon, attending his 50th Birthday Celebration and winning Keith's Biggest Fan Award, but most of all I always tried to be there for him whenever he needed me. I would often stop by the CVS just to say hi and catch up.

There is also one more very special memory that I will miss more than anything. Every March 11th, I made it a point to call Keith and wish him a Happy Birthday. I would always have to leave a message for him so I would start each message out by doing a funny voice or a few voices with the hope that I would put a smile on his face when he was listening back. I always made it a point to end my message by telling him in my own voice "I love you K-Man".

There were so many great times. However, the two memories that stand out and mean the very most are when Keith stood up in my wedding and when he held each of my sons for the first time. I will cherish these special memories forever.

I simply enjoyed each and every moment God allowed me to share with him. Tears are running down my cheeks right now and there is an emptiness inside my heart. I understand that God has a plan for us all. I just wish this part of the plan didn't have to end so soon.

I know that I will see you again my dear friend and we will continue right where we left off, laughing and enjoying each other's sense of humor and love for one another.

My heart is breaking now because I will no longer be able to give you a hug when I see you. I am going to miss everything about you! God Bless you Keith and thank you for all the great memories!

Rest in peace my dear friend.
I will always love you will all my heart!

Bryan Sheldon

February 28, 2018

Tom Van Dyke

February 27, 2018

Tom Van Dyke

February 27, 2018

Keith was a a great friend and mentor to many young people entering the workforce. His skills to mentor will be greatly missed.

Tom Van Dyke

February 27, 2018

Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results

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Memorial Events
for Keith Michalek

Mar

1

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. - Lemont

108 Illinois Street, Lemont, IL 60439

Mar

2

Funeral service

9:30 a.m.

Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. - Lemont

108 Illinois Street, Lemont, IL 60439

Mar

2

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Alphonsus Church

IL

Funeral services provided by:

Markiewicz Funeral Home, P.C. - Lemont

108 Illinois Street, Lemont, IL 60439

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