Marek R. Niziolek, 58, of Forest Park, formerly of Oak Park, died on July 23.
He was born on July 12, 1953 in Ostrów Wielko, Poland. At an early age he moved to Warsaw and also lived in Austria before coming to the United States in August of 1982. He lived in Oak Park for five years, relocated to Addison for 10, then moved to Forest Park where he spent the last 14 years of his life.
He was an entrepreneur in various business enterprises, which included catering, physical therapy, commercial cleaning, and livery services. He was an avid poker player who enjoyed participating in many tournaments.
In June of 2006, Mr. Niziolek was diagnosed with and began treatment for Stage 4 Prostate Cancer at Loyola University’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. He fought for five years before succumbing to its effects and was then transferred to Heartland Hospice’s care.
Marek Niziolek was preceded in death by his wife, Alicja Mdzewska. He is survived by his son, Joshua P. Mdzewski-Niziolek; his fiancée, Denise Sue Frolik; his mother-in-law, Barbara Mdzewska; his aunt, Thelma P. Windsor; his cousin, Peter Lewandowski; and his friend and former wife, Daniela Kozlowski.
He is also survived by his fiancée’s family; her mother, Jean Shifflet; and her sisters and their husbands, Georgia and Deacon Raymond Clark, Karen and David St. Peter, Bill and Tracy Urban. In addition, he is also survived by various family members in Australia, Canada, and Poland.
Visitation took place at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St., Oak Park. Funeral services were held there last month. Interment at Forest Home Cemetery, 863 Desplaines Ave.
