Donald K Chmielewski, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home on June 19, 2024 at the age of 79. He was born in Chicago and raised in the Polish enclave of Wicker Park. In his youth, he was an avid hockey player and amateur painter. After serving in Vietnam, he met Ruth, his wife of 55 years - their first date was at Margie's on Milwaukee Avenue. He worked in Elevator Construction and Maintenance (local #2) for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2006. His many interests and hobbies included photography, gardening, home remodeling, vintage cars and model trains. However, his greatest interest was spending time with family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Sophie, and survived by his wife, Ruth (Contreras), son, Donald (Tanya), two grandchildren, Ian and Celeste, two brothers, Ed (Barb) and Bob (Alice) and sister Nancy (Gary) Pitchford.

Visitation Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Northlake Funeral Home. Funeral Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home to St. John Vianney Church. Mass 9:30 a.m. Entombment with Military Honors at Christ the King Mausoleum, Queen of Heaven Cemetery.