Richard W. Jonko

March 1, 1952 - December 22, 2020

Richard (Rich) W. Jonko, 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at his home in Mundelein, IL. He was born March 1, 1952 in Poland and came with his parents and siblings to the USA in 1965 to join the Zimmer family in Chicago. Later he settled in Mundelein, for the past 33 years, where he raised his family. Although born with a congenital heart defect, Rich lived life to the fullest. He was dedicated to his dental technician profession. He worked for most of his career as a technician at Golf Mill Dental in Northbrook. He loved to dance and was a member of the German Egerlander Dancegroup preforming at ethnic festivals. He also enjoyed playing bass guitar in his band Olympia and often joined his brother Eddie and Uncle Mike in a family band. Later Rich, and his business partner Karl-Heinz, started a DJ business that specialized in German/American music (Music Source) where they entertained many at weddings and private parties. Surviving are 2 children, Michael (Esmeralda) Jonko and Natalie (Matt) Harvey; grandson, Landon Harvey; mother, Maria Zimmer Jonko; sister, Krystyna (Bill) Fritz; sister-in-law, Wesley Jonko and nieces and nephews, Bryana & Alysa Fritz, Kayla (Derek) Blidy, Tim (Rachel) Jonko and Dan (Casey) Jonko. He was preceded in death by his father, Jozef Jonko, a brother, Eddie “Edek” Jonko and his former wife, Simone Jonko. A visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by a service at 12:30 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2020 at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. in Libertyville, IL. Due to the current health guidelines, for those that wish to attend services are welcome to pay their respects and kindly exit the building so others have an opportunity to enter. For those that wish to attend virtually, a link will be available on the funeral home website at approximately 12 noon, Monday. Interment will be at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. Memorial contributions can be made in Rich’s memory to his folk dance group that provided him with so many friendships and memories: The Egerlander Dancegroup c/o Hildegard Bauer-Lorenz 6 Waterbury CourtLake Zurich, IL 60047 For info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com. Click link below to view services at Noon, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/59129133