Dr. Roman Smyk

Dr. Roman P. Smyk

Age 89 of Coal City, passed away Tuesday December 25, 2007 at his home.

Born October 03, 1918 in Ukraine, Roman was a son of the late Peter and Rostyslawa Kuzela-Smyk. He began his studies in Cracow, Poland and earned his Medical Degree in Berlin, Germany. On February 23, 1946 Roman married Lidia Kozuszko in Germany and together in December of 1950, they immigrated to the United States. Dr. Smyk practiced medicine in New York for four years and moved to Braidwood in 1954, where he filled the vacancy of Dr. Viteri's practice. One year later Dr. Smyk started his own practice in Coal City, where he retired from after nearly five decades in 2003.

The Village of Coal City selected Dr. Smyk as the recipient of its 1991 Community Service Award and in turn he was honored by resolution in the Illinois House of Representatives. November 22, 2003 was proclaimed Dr. Smyk Day in the Village of Coal City.

Dr. Smyk was affiliated with nearby hospitals including Morris Hospital and served as a member of various medical associations. He was a charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice and served on the Grundy County Cancer Society and Grundy County Health Department. Additionally Dr. Smyk was active in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Chicago and made several trips to Rome on their behalf, as well as attended Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Coal City. He returned to his Ukrainian Homeland to attend the International Medical Congress of Ukrainian Doctors and in 1991 took part in the dedication of a monument honoring his Great Uncle, poet Bohdan Lepkyj. Also in 1991 Dr. Smyk had the opportunity to meet Pope John Paul, II, a former classmate from the University in Cracow. In 2005 he received an award for Meritorious Service from the President of Ukraine.

Survivors include three sons: Eugene (Karen) Smyk of Coal City and Roman M. (Jacquelynn) Smyk and Mark (Lisa) Smyk, both of Morris. Five grandchildren: Timothy Smyk, Jonathan Smyk, Peter Smyk, Alexis Smyk and Joshua Smyk; one niece and several nephews.

Dr. Smyk was preceded in death by his parents; one son Timothy in infancy; his wife Lidia in 1988; three brothers: Bohdan, Eugene and Myron and one sister Stephanie.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Friday December 28, 2007 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM with a prayer vigil at 7:30PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City and Sunday December 30, 2007 from 2:00PM until time of Parastas Prayer Service at 4:00PM at Muzyka Funeral Home, 2157 West Chicago Avenue in Chicago (773/278-7767).

Funeral services will follow on Monday December 31st at 10:30AM from Muzyka Funeral Home proceeding to SS. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church for funeral service at 11:00AM. A funeral luncheon will immediately follow funeral services in the Ukrainian Cultural Center and Burial will be in Saint Nicholas Cemetery in Chicago with acting pallbearers: Eugene Smyk, Roman M. Smyk, Mark Smyk, Timothy Smyk, Rostyslaw Smyk and Ros Smyk.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Dr. Smyk's memory to Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, 1802 Division Street, Suite 307, Morris, Illinois 60450; The American Cancer Society - Illinois Division, P.O. Box 7561, Chicago, Illinois 60680 or to Assumption Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street, Coal City, Illinois 60416.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City (815/634-2125).