Barbara Erjavec

Barbara Erjavec

Loving wife of the late Jerry Erjavec.

Beloved daughter of the late Mark and Freida Schreiner, and sister of Jeanette (the late William) Peter.

Devoted mother of Gerald (Linda), Steven (John), and the late Karen.

Adored grandmother of Jerry and Allen (Alyssa).

Cherished great-grandmother of Jerry, Joel, Jana, and Kaya.

Barbara was born in Melrose Park, Illinois, on October 5, 1932, and baptized on November 6, 1932. She attended St. John’s Lutheran school in Forest Park followed by Proviso High School in Maywood. After graduation, she worked in the offices of the Hyster Corporation. During this time, Barbara began corresponding with Jerry Erjavec, an Air Force airplane mechanic serving in Korea during the Korean War. While still in the service, Jerry married Barbara on November 26, 1953, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. They remained married for 69 years, until Jerry’s passing in 2023.

Following Jerry’s honorable discharge, they settled in Cicero, where they began raising their family—Gerald in 1954 and Steven in 1956. The family became active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where they formed close friendships with fellow parishioners who were raising children of similar ages.

Barbara devoted herself fully to her role as wife and mother. She joyfully hosted family holiday celebrations and birthdays, welcomed her children’s friends for play dates and overnight visits, and introduced her children to museums, plays, and cultural events. As the children entered school, Barbara became deeply involved at Redeemer Lutheran School, serving in leadership roles in the PTL, helping with hot lunches, chaperoning field trips, and supporting the school community in countless ways.

Throughout these years, Barbara stood faithfully beside Jerry, supporting his law enforcement career, his building repair business, and his many hobbies and interests—ranging from trap shooting, fishing, clock collecting, and photography to sausage making, and much more.

In 1967, the family was blessed with the birth of Karen, opening a new and unexpected chapter in Barbara’s life. After raising two sons, welcoming a daughter brought fresh joys, challenges, and innumerable happy memories for Barbara and the entire family.

As her children matured, Barbara began her own professional journey. She started with a part-time position at Motif Furniture Company, went on to serve as Executive Director of the Mental Health Board in Cicero, and later obtained her real estate license. She ultimately managed the Hinsdale Medical Center office building until her retirement.

During this time, Barbara and Jerry also acquired a summer home at Hills Lake, a cherished vacation destination from Barbara’s childhood, where the family created countless joyful memories.

In the early 1990s, Jerry and Barbara relocated to Orland Park and became active members of Living Word Lutheran Church.

The tragic loss of Karen in 1992 deeply devastated Barbara and her family. In response, Barbara courageously channeled her grief into advocacy, contributing to the passage of anti-stalking legislation in Illinois and establishing the Karen Erjavec Memorial Scholarship Fund at Walther Lutheran High School.

In retirement, Barbara and Jerry enjoyed traveling, entertaining friends and family, and maintaining a full and active social life. In 2018, they moved to Marian Village Independent Living to ease the challenges of aging. In 2023, they transitioned to Assisted Living at Bridgeway of Bensenville. Jerry passed away shortly after their arrival, and Barbara remained there until her own passing. Barbara lived a full and meaningful life. She loved her family deeply, cherished her friendships, and embraced life with warmth and purpose. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Walther Christian Academy, 900 Chicago Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160, with a notation directing the donation to the Karen Erjavec Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Barbara’s family and friends will gather to say farewell on Monday, June 1, at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, Illinois, with visitation beginning at 9 AM, followed by funeral services at 11 AM.