Obituary of Jacob Kriston

Jacob P. "Jake" Kriston, 91, of Zion, IL passed away November 13, 2008 at home. Jake was born July 22, 1917, in Glen White, PA. He was a former Teamster and retired in 1976. Jake served with the United States Army Air Corps. during World War II for four years as a staff sargeant/radio operator mechanic gunner aboard a B-26 bomber. He was united in marriage on September 15, 1946 to Helen Graca of Gallitzin, PA and together raised six sons and two daughters. Jake had a dream to relocate his family from the urban surroundings of the city of Chicago to the quiet open land of the country. So in 1960, he moved his family on four acres of land. His relationship with nature was an essential part of his life. He enjoyed planting trees and raising a huge vegetable garden year after year, sharing the fruitage of his hard labors with family and friends. He also looked forward to cooking for his family and guests, making breakfast for visiting grandchildren, doing so right up until his death. He loved traveling by train to see his family in Phoenix, AZ and did so for 25 years taking along his wife, the love of his life, and children and grandchildren. He had a passion for history, learning and sharing his life's experiences. His way of relaxing everyday was doing crossword puzzles. He had a heart bigger than his own, being generous to strangers and family alike. He will be greatly missed, but will remain in our hearts always. Immediate survivors include his loving wife, Helen; children, Rita (Ronnie) Witt of Kenosha, Henry Kriston of Phoenix, AZ, Mike (Sue) Kriston of Kenosha, Paul Kriston of Kenosha, Joe (Debbie) Kriston of Phoenix, AZ and Frank Kriston of Kenosha; 23 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville. Visitation will be Monday, November 17, 2008, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home.