Edward Wozniak Obituary

Wozniak, Edward Frank 73, died on July 25, 2014 from complications brought on by pancreatic cancer. He passed away at his home in Oak Brook, Illinois surrounded by family. Edward was born on July 2, 1941 in Chesterton, Indiana to parents Sofia, a housewife and Frank, a steel worker employed at Gary Inland Steel Works in Gary, Indiana. Edward spent the majority of his younger life in Chesterton, Indiana. In order to pay for college, Edward worked on the ore boats sailing out of Indiana Harbor and throughout the Great Lakes. Edward later attended Ball State University where he fell in love and married his sweetheart, Sandra LaBuda. After graduating Ball State University, Edward had a teaching fellowship at the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana in the Geography Department. Soon after, he took a job with the Ford Motor Company. Coming back to Chicago, Edward pursued and graduated with his MBA degree through Loyola University of Chicago. Edward then took his career into the mergers and acquisitions game that was developing in Chicago. Edward was very driven and became very reputable in the local Chicago area business scene. Edward was inspired by a number of local influential mentors that taught him more about the mergers and acquisition field. In 1985, Edward and his wife Sandi formed Wozniak Industries, Inc. Wozniak Industries, Inc. became a well known and respected leader in the Chicago area business scene. In keeping with Edward's vision, Wozniak Industries prided itself in keeping manufacturing in the U.S. by specializing in steel forging, stamping, and machining through its divisions. Edward and his wife Sandi spent many years building the family business. As a result, Edward and Sandi traveled often around the country including international. Through Edward's vision, Wozniak Industries, Inc. continues to be a leader in American manufacturing with his children actively managing the operations. Being semi-retired allowed Edward to still keep updated on the business but also allowed him to enjoy his other interests. Edward loved: golf, travel, his dog Bentley, history, biographies, bird watching, boating, classic cars, water skiing, and snow skiing. Above everything else, Edward always put family first. Edward spent many years living in the Chicago area but also held residences in Florida and Wisconsin. Edward spent winters with his wife, Sandi in Stuart, Florida. Enjoying Stuart, Florida, Edward and Sandi were very active in their community and the surrounding area spending time with family and friends. During the summer, Edward would spend his time with Sandi and their family at Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, Wisconsin where the family has been visiting for the past 40 years. Edward Wozniak is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Sandi Wozniak; brother, Gerald (June) Wozniak of the Kansas City, MO area; sons, Todd Edward Wozniak and Michael Robert (Katie) Wozniak; daughter, Michelle Marie Wozniak; grandchildren, Kayla Elaine (Bobby) Mochel, Delaney Jean Wozniak, Meghan Elizabeth Wozniak, Jack Lawrence Wozniak, Connor Michael Wozniak; and great-grandchildren, Gavin Jack Mochel and Landon Todd Mochel. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 10th at 12:30 p.m. at Butterfield Country Club, 2800 Midwest Rd., Oak Brook, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, Memorial funds or donations can be made to Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research, www.lustgarten.org or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org are appreciated. Arrangements by Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 630/968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.