Joseph Gerard Rudnik was born to Rose and John Rudnik on March 1, 1940.  He was the sixth of eight children, and he was a bright and
vivacious young boy who knew all of his letters and colors until he accidentally ingested his grandfather's blackberry brandy at age two.  Though he survived the poisoning, he suffered severe brain damage.  Joey, as he was known, endured many challenges, and he eventually learned how to write and read.  He attended school and church at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Chicago, and when he graduated, both of his parents cared for him until their deaths.Upon their deaths, his older brother, the Rev. John Rudnik, assumed his care.

Joey loved trains and streetcars, and he cheered through good and bad baseball seasons.  This past summer, he enjoyed attending one last baseball game in person, and the White Sox honored him with a Sox-O-Gram: "Hit a Home Run for Uncle Joey Rudnik."  He enjoyed singing,
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game."  He loved hamburgers from White Castle, Wendy's and large chocolate sundaes.  Throughout the years, he enjoyed the companionship of many pets, including Odem, Michelle, Lorraine, Ulysses and Peggy.  Though his mental capabilities remained limited, Joey maintained a sense of humor, and he enjoyed teasing his siblings, as well as his nieces and nephews.  He had a special nickname for everyone in the family, and whenever relatives were dating people, the family knew that they would marry them if Joey christened them with a special name.

For the last few years of his life, he lived at Ascension Living Saint Benedict Village and Elevated Care in Niles.  In the last year of his life, Joey suffered from pancreatic cancer.  Joey taught many people compassion and kindness, and he always had a big smile on his face.  He also declared often, "I am happy."  Joey finally succumbed to his illness on October 16.  He was 83.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel at Saint Benedict Village, with Mass at 10:30 a.m. and burial to follow at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles.,

Joey is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Donald Rudnik, Martha (the late Dick) Lassa, Thomas Rudnik, and Dorothy (the late William) Neven. He is survived by his siblings, Rev. John Rudnik, Mary (Tom) Hurt, and Bernard (Karen) Rudnik, his sisters-in-law Marge and Jean, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.  His niece Susan Lassa and her daughter Valerie Lassa especially mourn his loss.  In his memory, please do something kind for someone who cannot pay you back, Funeral Info 847-966-7302 or www.skajafuneralhomes.com.