James Janetopoulos “Sr.”, Army Specialist 4th Class of the 1st Cavalry Division Korea; age 88 of Brookfield. Born on July 1, 1935 in Chicago and passed peacefully at his home in Brookfield on June 12, 2024. Beloved and devoted husband of the late MaryLynn Janetopoulos, nee Onesto; loving father of Christopher (Elena) Janetopoulos, Joanne (Rick) Janetopoulos, James (Julie) Janetopoulos, Jr. and Julie (Jeffery) Lauksmen; dear grandfather of Genevieve Janetopoulos, Margaret Janetopoulos, Leonardo Lauksmen, Lilliana Lauksmen and James D. Janetopoulos; son of the late Konstantinos and Gianoula (nee Bourlakos) Janetopoulos; adored brother of the late Olga (the late John Golden) Mehalos-Golden and the late Dolly Bosik; fond brother-in-law to the late Michael J. (Alice) Onesto, Sr, to the late David A. (Melissa) Onesto. Beloved uncle and great uncle of many, especially close to Spencer (Mariane) Mehalos, Deno (Terry) Mehalos, Kathy (the late Jim) Kline, & Connie (Bob) Eggersdorf (Udstuen). Close friend to many, especially cherished friend to Barb Davenport.
Jim grew up in Chicago, attended Crane Tech High School, & moved “temporarily” to Brookfield with his wife MaryLynn, and 55 plus years later raised his family in a town he & his family would grow to love. Jim was a beloved resident & neighbor in Brookfield. He retired from Amtrak at Chicago’s Union Station where he worked for over 30 years in their baggage and postal service department. He also worked as a hairstylist in Chicago, carpenter and handyman, was able to repair just about anything from homes to cars, and was always helping out his neighbors and friends. He was a lifelong fisherman and master storyteller. Jim will be remembered as a hardworking and generous family man and caring friend to all and will be missed by many. He leaves behind a legacy of children and grandchildren that love him dearly. May he rest in peace.
Visitation Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. with Trisagion (Prayer Service) to be held at 5 P.M. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.
Visitation Monday, June 24, 2024 from 11:30 to time of Service 12:30 P.M. at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465.
A live stream of the Service will be available to be viewed at https://www.memorialslive.com/janetopoulos. If you are unable to participate during the live stream a recording will be available to be viewed at anytime and downloaded at the same link by day’s end on Wednesday 6/26/2024.
Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Cards, flowers welcomed or donations in his name to either an American Veterans cause of your choice or to a cause dad donated to: Paralyzed Veterans of America at http://www.PVA.org/SupportVeterans.
Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com
For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the Memories link above and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the James Janetopoulos Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.