William (Bill) Brummel passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014 in Laguna Hills, Calif. at the age of 87. He was born Sept. 11, 1927 in Chicago to Anthony and Mary (Helmreich) Brummel, of Beverly, IL. He was a member of the Army Air Corp before he fell in love and married Alice Kwapil on June 23, 1951 in Chicago and became a wonderful and devoted husband. They lived in Riverdale and South Holland and had five children. He was dedicated to his family and was involved with the kids in Boy and Girl Scouts, camping and ski trips, school drama and choral performances, vacations, and lots of other family activities. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed down-hill skiing, fishing and hunting, golf, bowling, playing baseball and Bridge. He and Alice opened their home to many foreign exchange students to help them get acquainted with America. He was always around to lend a hand to a friend or neighbor. He was a hard-working second-generation owner of Brummel Auto Rebuilders, later renamed AutoPro Collision Clinic, in Chicago and was was known as an intelligent, successful, and fair-minded businessman. After 33 years of marriage, Alice passed away on Dec. 17, 1984.



Bill found another love of his life, Mary Morin, who became his wife on Aug. 17, 1991. He once again was the happy dedicated and devoted husband, concerned that every need of Mary was met. They lived in Phoenix, AZ for many happy years. Mary passed away Aug. 16, 2010 after almost 19 years of marriage.

Bill then was welcomed into the home of his daughter, Bonnie, in California, and was again a family man. Bill enjoyed traveling, watching sports and westerns, golfing, shopping at Costco, reading the daily newspaper (his Favorite was the Wall Street Journal), socializing with friends by attending senior lunches with church members from his CA parish, Santiago de Compostela, and frequenting the Elks Club and Patsy's Irish Pub in Mission Viejo, CA. He also was an enthusiastic supporter of his Californian grandchildren as they participated in swim meets, orchestra and drama performances, and lacrosse games. While he was still driving, he gave them many a ride to their school and after-school functions. Once he was no longer driving the favor was happily returned.

Bill made great efforts to travel to visit his children and grandchildren each year even when travel got difficult for him. Just this past summer he made it to two weddings of grand-neices that allowed him visit relatives from the Brummel/Hettlinger side and the Kwapil/Nisivaco side of the family that he had not seen in many years. It was a special time for him. His children were blessed with sharing of his faith, his compassion for those in need and his devotion to family. They respected his incredible business-sense and often utilized him as a source of financial knowledge and he, in turn, enjoyed their confidence in him.

He is survived by one sister and two brothers: Bea (Ray) Hettlinger, Mentor, OH, Rev. Thomas Brummel C.M.F., and Rev. Mark Brummel C.M.F., both of Chicago, and one sister-in-law: Georgene (Lou) Nisivaco, Orland Park.

His is also survived by his five children: Thomas Brummel, Crete, Mark (Barb) Brummel, Peoria, AZ, Terri (Rich) Jozwiak, Lodi, WI, Ellen (Jason) Koehl, Madison, WI, Bonnie (Frank) Vlach, Lake Forest, CA and his step-son, Jim (James) Morin, Phoenix, AZ. He had 10 grandchildren: Amanda (Joseph) Silva, Alyson (Steve) Dawson, Tony Brummel, Abby Brummel (deceased), Julie (Tyler) Ulland, Chris Jozwiak, Paul Jozwiak, Taylor Koehl, Brianna Vlach and Jared Vlach and two great-grandchildren: Mila Dawson and Ada Ulland and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, Oct. 24 from 4-8 p.m. at Thornridge Funeral Home, 15801 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Dolton, IL. The Funeral with Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 880 E 154th St, South Holland. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery, in Glenwood, IL, followed by a Memorial Reception at The Glenwood Oaks Restaurant, also in Glenwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be given for one of Bill's passions:

Educational Endeavors or Novena Masses.