Rev. Richard F. Kostelz, age 95, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, September 20, 2021 at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet, IL. He was born July 28, 1926 in Joliet, attending St. Raymond’s grade school, Joliet Catholic High School, and Quigley Preparatory Seminary prior to entering St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He was ordained May 22, 1952 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond by the late Bishop Martin McNamara. Father Kostelz served as Parochial Vicar at Saints Peter & Paul, Naperville (1952-1958) and St. Joseph, Lockport (1958-1959); Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Roberts and St. Peter, Piper City (1959-1965); St. Martin of Tours, Kankakee, (1965-1974); Saints Mary & Joseph, Chebanse, (1974-1988); St. Joseph, Cabery, and St. Mary Mission, Reddick (1988-2015). His dedication to the Catholic Community of the Diocese of Joliet spanned over six decades, culminating with his retirement in 2015. He is survived by his sisters, Joan (late Robert) Brock and Shirley (late Daniel) Thom, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clara (Shelko) and Frank Kostelz; one brother, Jack (late Mary Ann) Kostelz; and two nieces, Ann and Mary Clare. Father Kostelz lay in state Friday, September 24, 2021 from 10 a.m. until a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet. Interment followed in Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Joliet Area Community Hospice (Lightways Hospice of Joliet); Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home; or the Cathedral of St. Raymond School. You may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.