Gene Raymond Saari

JOLIET, Ill. — Gene Raymond Saari, age 55, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.

Gene is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa (nee Faber) Saari; children, Sydney and Samantha Saari; father, Raymond Saari; step-mother, Sandra Saari; siblings, Sonja (Wade) Warczak, Tina Saari and Kimberly (Tom) Paprocki; and 23 cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gisela (nee Liedtke); step-father, Jim Chernak; and brother, Raymond Saari.

Gene was a wonderful husband, father and brother. He was very proud of his daughters; Sydney for graduating from De Paul University and Samantha for attending Dominican University with honors. He had a strong Christian faith and was a man of God. He was an avid Chicago Blackhawks and Green Bay Packers fan, gun enthusiast, cheesy jokester, gourmet chef on his days off and was proud of his “Yooper roots.” Gene also enjoyed listening to classic rock and educating his daughters about it. Gene was a truck driver for 14 years, most recently for Exel Logistics.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s name to the family would be appreciated.

Visitation was Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at Tezak Funeral Home, Joliet. The family is hosting a memorial visitation today, Saturday, Sept. 1, at Family Harvest Church, 18500 92nd Ave., Tinley Park at 11 a.m. The family encourages friends and family to don their favorite sports teams’ jersey, cap or other apparel to celebrate Gene’s love of sports. Per Gene’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded following the services.