Josephine E. Arvaj

Rockford- Josephine E. Arvaj, 90 died Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 at the Bickford House. Born Nov. 6, 1920 in Chicago Heights, the daughter of Francis and Aneila (Radvanski) Kowalczyk. Married Henry J. Kruk Sr. in 1942, he preceded her in 1950. She then remarried Milton Arvaj in 1970, he preceded her in 1986. Josephine worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company, retiring in 1982 after 33 years of perfect attendance. She was a member of the Polish Woman's Alliance for over 25 years, holding positions such as president, secretary and treasurer; member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Eagles FOE and volunteered for the Leukemia Research Foundation. She enjoyed traveling the world, playing cards and bingo, and sending greeting cards to friends and family, 10-20 cards per month. She also loved to crochet afghans for her family. Josephine's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the staff at the Bickford House and to Heartland Hospice. Survivors include her daughter, Patti (Tom) Cavanagh; grandchildren, Jason (Melissa), Jeremy (Dawn) and Jeffry (Jennifer great grandchildren, Spencer, Colin, Seth, Cayla, Aristen, Mitchell, Shaw and Jensen; brother-in-law, Dennis (Rose) Pachura and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Henry J. Kruk Jr in 1947 from Leukemia, her first and second husbands and her siblings, Helene Cepela, Edward Kowalczyk, Irene Rosati, Joseph Kowalczyk, Delores Pachura and Leocadia Kowalczyk. Visitation Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel 3910 N. Rockton Ave. from 5 -7 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Burial Saturday, Feb. 19 at Noon at Calvary Cemetery, Steger, IL. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in her honor will be established by the family.