Obituary of Albert Lietz
Albert Lietz, of Matteson, IL, age 79, passed away on May 10, 2023, at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, with his loving family by his side. He was born on September 18, 1943, to Theodore and Rose (nee Sharnes) Lietz.
Al was a man who spent his life getting things done. He fell in love with fast cars as a young man rebuilding different vehicles to make them faster, louder, and all around better. Eventually he became so good at this passion that he had to trade drag races down Western Ave. in Chicago for drag races on more legitimate tracks. His dragster carried him to a first place finish at The World of Wheels race event. He also took great pride in his beautiful green and white Packard as well as his 1968 AMX. However, Al was not limited to working on cars exclusively, the man could fix anything. He was great with his hands, and was completely self-sufficient with any work that needed to be done around the house. He was always ready to lend his expertise, advice, and physical prowess to any neighbor, friend, or even stranger that needed him. Al and Mary had an open door policy at the home when the kids were little and have surrogate children spread across the area. He was affectionately known as “Pop’s” to the neighborhood kids and beyond. For recreation, Al enjoyed spending time in their RV at the campgrounds in Marseilles or Wilmington. The family spent countless hours around the campfire listening to Oldies and Country music, discussing the news of the day featured on CNN, or just talking about the impending changes in the weather. His daughters will be lost without his uncanny ability to predict the coming weather better than the area’s best meteorologists. If Al was parked in front of the TV, then you could bet he was watching either a NASCAR race or his beloved White Sox. The true essence of Al was his willingness to accept all people, regardless of differences, for who they are. He did not judge, he did not favor, he only looked at everyone before him with love, and was always there when needed. For his family going forward, no longer will they be able to look up into Al’s eyes when they need him. They will now need to look slightly higher towards the heavens, but they have no doubt that when they do need him, he will be there just as he always has been.
A special note of remembrance about Al’s dear friends King, Minnie, Queenie, and Boo who served as his faithful companions during his life.
Al is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Lietz (nee Goslawski); his children, Richard Lietz, Tammy (John) Matayka, Albert (Devi) Lietz, Lisa (Curtis) Griffin, Julie (Michael) Valenti, Michelle (Joseph) Dynia; his grandchildren, Amber (Tony) Rodriguez, Anthony (Stephanie) Schwingel, Andrew and Aaron Matayka, Teresa Lietz, Lenah Lietz, Cyle (Adriana) Griffin, Dominique Griffin, Carson Griffin, Alecia Valenti, Angie Valenti, Lexi Valenti, Haley Dynia; and his great-grandchildren, Erin, Noah, Taylor, Brady, Bennett, Alexander, Nikole, Cyle Jr. (C.J.), Christian and Kai. Many nieces, nephews, and other dear loved ones also survive.
A visitation for Albert Lietz will be held on Monday May 15, 2023 from 2:00 to 8:00 pm with a chapel service to occur at 7:30 pm at the Fred C Dames Funeral Home at 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington) Joliet, IL.
The family has made a special request for those guests who are able to please bring a Father’s Day card with a note of condolence or a special memory of how Al affected their life individually for the family to keep following services.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
