Michael Puczek, age 79, a resident of Lombard, for 15 years, went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 15, at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois. He was born November 20, 1933 in Ukraine.

As a child, his parents moved to Paraguay and then to Argentina when he was 18. After seminary, he served as a youth pastor where he met his wife Maria. They were married on July 23, 1966 in Argentina. They emigrated to the United States twice, becoming US citizens in 1985. Michael worked as a furniture maker for Interior Crafts in Chicago for 20 years. He was active in his Ukrainian Church as a deacon, pastor and sang in the choir.

He loved to tinker with mechanics. He built furniture for his children and enjoyed grilling "asado" and cooking for his family.

He is survived by his wife, Maria, four children, Benjamin (Julie) Puczek of Lombard, Ruth (Brian) Schmidt of Elgin, Daniel (Julie) Puczek of Carol Stream and Rachel (Jason) Fugate of Colorado Springs, CO, seven grandchildren, Emma, Jack, Ethan, Elizabeth, Noemi, Adeline, and Benjamin, and nine siblings.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 17, from 2 to 5 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 10:00 am at Wheaton Evangelical Free Church, 520 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Wheaton Evangelical Free Church.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.