Obituary of Kuriakose Thiruvathukal

Kuriakose Thiruvathukal, PhD "Kris" Age 89. Thursday, December 18, 2014 at his home in Joliet. Dr. Kuriakose Varkey Thiruvathukal came to America from India as a student in 1954. He was a full professor of Biology at Lewis University (a Christian Brothers university) in Romeoville, Illinois, and after his retirement in 1990 had a second career as a part-time lecturer at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, where he taught many classes. He never stopped working. He loved teaching and mentoring students trying to pursue their goals in pre-health professions (nursing and medicine) and enjoyed reading, gardening, and taking care of the birds and squirrels that lived at and came to his home. He was a loving father and family-oriented person, who was selfless and lived a simple life. He was a friendly and outgoing person who loved to engage in conversations with family, friends, and anyone who he met. He had a wonderful sense of humor and often made others laugh. He was a very strong, loyal and generous person. He was preceded in death by his father, Varkey Thiruvathukal, and his mother Rosa Chathaparampil, his brother Joseph, sister Ann, and grandson, Joshua. He leaves behind his sister, Teresa; brother, John (Jomma); sister, Mary (Pradip); children, George (Nina), Maria (Robert), and Cheryl (Barry); grandchildren, Rachel, Nathanael, Sarah, Joseph, Rohan, and Maya; and great-grandchildren, Mirra and Anthony. He also had many nieces and nephews, many of whom he corresponded with on a regular basis. He was loved beyond measure and will be deeply missed. We take comfort in knowing that he is now with our Heavenly Father and is reunited with his loved ones who have gone before him. Funeral Services for Kris Thiruvathukal will be held Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Church of St. Jude, 2212 McDonough St., Joliet where Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery in Vancouver, WA at a later date. Visitation Sunday 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home. For information: 815-741-5500