Joan Cieslak

On Saturday, January 29, 2022, Joan Cieslak passed at the age of 88. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Joan was born on June 30, 1933 in Chicago to James and Helen Zabin. She grew up, attended school, worked, and raised a family in the Chicago area. While attending the church she grew up in, Good Shepherd Bible Church, she met her husband, Donald Cieslak, the love of her life. They lived in Lyons, IL, where they raised three children: their son Paul, who passed too early due to cancer, son James in California, and daughter Christy in Illinois.

Joan had a varied professional career, each suited to her interests, skills, and passions—seamstress, bridal shop manager, and bridal tips columnist for the Chicago Tribune. She was a great organizer and people manager and became the Administrator for Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park, a position she held for 15 years and was fondly referred to as "The Queen."

She loved holidays, especially Christmas. She decorated with enthusiasm and the house overflowed with that enthusiasm. She loved traveling with her family and to share in those experiences. She visited historical biblical sites in Jordan, Israel, and the pyramids of Egypt. Her favorite trips were those with family to tropical locations, especially Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where she could bask in the sun and see her grandchildren having fun.

For those who knew and loved her, Joan will be remembered for her flair for life, her generosity, her integrity, her style, her deep conviction and love for God and her church, and most of all, her love for those in her life. Her gift to all of us is the love she gave us.

She is survived by her brother Wayne Zabin, her son James, daughter Christy, and her grandchildren Amira, Hayden, and Adam. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Helen Zabin, husband Don Cieslak, her brother James Zabin, and son Paul Cieslak.

Joan will be buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Stickney, IL with her husband Donald and son Paul. Per her wishes, a celebration of her life will be held later this year for family and friends. Cumerford-Clary Funeral Home is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.

In remembrance of Joan's blessed life, the family asks that any donations be made to the The Edge Church in Merrillville IN (edge.church.com) for their upcoming missions. Joan was fond of Pastor Lonnie and his family and attended the church when she was nearby visiting family and friends.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.cumerfordclary.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan (Zabin) Cieslak, please visit our floral store.