Stanley Dudek, 89, a resident of West Chicago for over 40 years died June 15th at the Du Page Convalescent Center. He was born April 15, 1917 in Poland.

Stanley was an officer for the Polish Air Force when he became a POW in Russia during WWII. Once freed, he served as a Captain of the Polish contingent of the Royal Air Force piloting his beloved de Havilands Mosquitos. Introduced by acquaintances he married Marie Therese (Mimie) Mathieu of Brussels, Belgium in 1947. After his discharge in 1949, Stan graduated from the London Borough Polytechnic majoring in Fine Arts and Graphics and began their family with the births of Elizabeth and Michael. In 1954 the family came to Chicago where Stanley spent ten years as designer and art director in the graphics art field. His family grew with the births of Teresa, Marianne and Chrystopher. Stanley became reacquainted with two friends from his airforce days, Marian Bujak and Kazik Kozak who remained his close friends throughout his life and shared his love of tennis. The family moved to unincorporated West Chicago where he lived for 40 years. In 1965 Stan left the graphics field to become a master in the fine are of watercolor. He earned countless awards and recognition at art exhibits throughout the U.S. His paintings have been included in several collections including Borg-Warner, Union League Club, Johnson & Johnson, DuPage Library System, Sears Roebuck, International Harvester and DuPage County Complex. His works include travel posters for United Airlines and cards for the American Artist Group. Stanley was a member of the Midwest Watercolor Society (TWSA), Watercolor USA, Polish Arts Club of Chicago, DuPage Art League, Polish Air Force Veterans Assoc. of Chicago, Loyal Order of Moose and an Honorary Member of the Union League. During his last years Stanley resided at the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton where so many dedicated people made this his second home. He will be missed by all who have known and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years "Mimie"; his children Elizabeth Dudek (her companion Richard Herring), Michael ( Dianne) Dudek, Teresa (Brent) Mattingly, Marianne (Jeffrey) Voss, Chrystopher (Sandi) Dudek; his grandchildren, Boris Bell, Matthew, Jeffrey,and Laura Dudek, Gavin, and Gabrielle Mattingly, Madeline and Anna Voss, and his many nieces and nephews in Poland.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the DuPage Convalescent Center would be appreciated. Stanley will be laid to rest on Monday, June 19, at St. John's Cemetery in Mokena, IL. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 30th at 2:30 p.m. at the DuPage Convalescent Center at 400 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Information and guest book is available at hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton at 630-668-0027.