Call Us at (708) 481-9230

Kenneth Michael Mercury

2/3/2024 - 2/3/2024

Illinois

Kenneth Michael Mercury. Age 76. Recent Campton Hills resident, formerly of Orland Park and Homewood. Born and raised in Chicago, Ashburn area. Graduate of Bogan HS 1965, Undergraduate degree from Chicago Teachers College South now Chicago State University 1968, Graduate degree 1969, and pre-Doctorate from DePaul. Ken taught Physiology, Anatomy, and Ecology at Shepherd HS District 218 for 10 years. He then became a State Farm agent in 1980 in the Beverly/Mt Greenwood area, retiring after 37 years, after winning numerous awards, Top Illinois Trainee Agent 1981, Silver Scroll, Bronze Tablet, Millionaire Club Travel Qualifier 27 years, and the Prestigious Crystal of Excellence upon retirement. Ken believed in honesty and great service. Ken was very proud of his Italian and Polish heritage. He could polka with the best of them. Devoted and active participant at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago’s Little Italy Neighborhood.  Ken enjoyed spending time with his family, and friends whether it was sharing a meal, sporting events with the kids, to making homemade wine and Italian meats. Beloved husband and best friend for 53 years to Christine née Preston, Loving Father to Lynn (Robert) Bruno, Noelle (Richard)Martini and Lea (Michael)Russelle. Wonderful Papa to Sophia, Gianna, and Bianca Bruno, Olivia, Luciano, and Natalia Martini, and AnaMaria Russelle.  Son of Lucille née Zebrowski and Frank (Francisco) Mercury. Brother of Donald (Catherine) Mercury. Friend to many. Lying in state at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1224 W Lexington Ave, Chicago, IL. Saturday February 10,2024 from 9:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00am. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Kenneth’s name to Shriners Children’s Hospital 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707  (www.donate.lovetotherescue.org) or Tunnel to Tower Foundation 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 (www.dogood.t2t.org) would be appreciated by the Mercury family. Info Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, Chicago Heights 708-481-9230 and panozzobros.com. 

 

17 Comments

  • LouisCow

    on 02/03/24

  • David Brosius

    on 02/04/24

    Condolences to Chris and her family,
    Ken was a good man,

  • Steve Terando

    on 02/04/24

    Ken was a great friend, not only socially together with our wife's,but also in business with SF.  We had many fantastic times together.  One of our favorite pastimes was making wine.  We would always sample the finished product, and Kens wine was always the best.  When Ken had a project, it was always completed in a first class manner, he was a guy that did not cut corners.  A great example is how he worked on and finished his Corvette, a beautiful red car.  Ken also liked to garden, he dildn't have to much space, so he would plant the tomatoes, garlic, peppers, green beans and lettuce near and with all the beautiful flowers he grew.  I have many great memories of Ken, the most recent is that he is having his burial mass in one of his favorite places.  I know he is extreemly happy with that.  Steve & Agnes

  • Angelo Tzinare

    on 02/04/24

    To Ken's Family my condolences and prayers . I loved everything about Ken He was a mentor and a peer. A great State Farm Agent and role model. He was a good and wonderful man. I am saddened by his passing. 

  • Nataly Pluta

    on 02/04/24

    Ken was a great cousin - in -law and a devoted father to all of his girls.  He was so glad they all got married so he could finally have his pack of son in laws and some testosterone energy around the house. I remember how he cherished bed time stories with the girls and creating his model train railroads and homemade wine.  I know he will be missed by many.  May he rest in peace!

  • John and Maureen Lewandowski

    on 02/04/24

    Knowing Ken was a treat as he had a wealth of knowledge on a variety of  subjects.  Going out to dinner with Ken & his loving wife Chris had us needing to check our watches as the time would disappear quickly.  South Haven was lucky to have him visit his house here, he shared memories of his childhood in Covert with his family. We always learned some valuable history that isn't found in books.  Condolences to his family

  • Ray and Lorraine Tuminello

    on 02/04/24

    Ken was a wonderful Friend. We will miss him dearly. We had many years of of time and events to share with him. He accepted anyone who ever they were. I loved making wine and supersatta with him or enjoying a meal with him and Chris. See you again at a later time

      

  • Gilbert Edmond

    on 02/05/24

    Ken Mercury was a great State Farm Agent and a mentor to me.  I prayers and condolences go out to the family.  Gilbert Edmond.

  • Ralph Shurley

    on 02/06/24

    My condolences to Chris, his children and grandchildren. I always enjoyed Ken's sense of humor, and respected his commitment to family. He was an excellent State Farm agent for many years. He helped many customers overcome their problems with accidents, finances and other set-backs of life. I respected his business acumen very much. Ken will be missed.

     

  • Bruce Hillstrom

    on 02/06/24

    My condolences to Chris and family.  Ken was a good man, a successful State Farm agent, a loyal HF supporter, and a valued bank director.  We all need to have more people like Ken in our lives.

  • Bob Sullivan

    on 02/09/24

    My brother, Jim Sullivan passed on June 30th and was a good friend of Ken.   Played golf a few times with Ken and my brother and always had a great time, just talking to him.  If there is golf in heaven, they will get a tee time together.

  • Jim Faletti

    on 02/10/24

    Ken was a wonderful friend. He invited me to be part of a great group of Italian guys and always made me feel welcome. We enjoyed many glasses of wine and great food together. Thank you Ken. God Bless the entire family.

  • Pati Mangano

    on 02/10/24

    Here's to 50 years of friendship.❤️ Ken was one of the most hard working people I know. He built a wonderful life for his family and I am saddened for their loss, for our loss as well. Rest in Peace Ken Mercury my friend
  • Marge Gagliano

    on 02/10/24

    To Chris and Family, Cathy and I send our deepest condolences for your loss.  We are sorry we were not there today, but we are thinking of you and your family.  We are so sorry, he was such a great person and will miss him at the CIAO Meetings and parties.  Take care.  Blessings, Marge Gagliano and Cathy Smith

  • Robert C Wessel

    on 03/06/24

    I am so surprised and shocked to learn of Ken's passing. Ken was my biology teacher in high school in 1970. He was very patient and understanding. I regret all the times I passed his office on Western Avenue but failed to stop and say hello. We did have a conversation a number of years ago while he was on the board of Heritage Bank (?). He remembered me as a student and we had a nice talk. I will miss him.
  • BrandonNap

    on 04/25/24

Leave a comment

Fill out the above security question to submit your form.

Enter Username and Password to view private comments

Recent Obituaries

Rose Zagotta, 94

Homewood, Illinois

Carola A. Jackert, 54

Chicago Heights, Illinois

Cirildo Gutierrez-Hernandez, 58

Steger, Illinois

Loretta “Lori” Burns, 66

Flossmoor, Illinois

Thomas Lyons, 99

Chicago, IL

Donald Kempen, 92

Crown Point, Indiana

Mary Ellen “Zeubie” Bijak nee Zeuberis, 74

Chicago Heights, Illinois