Former Batavia alderman Stolarz dies at 97
By ERIC SCHELKOPF
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eschelkopf@kcchronicle.com
BATAVIA – Former Batavia alderman John Stolarz held fast to his opinions.
"He was always regarded as the voice of independence," Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said.
Stolarz passed away Oct. 29 at Fair Oaks Health Care Center in Crystal Lake. He was 97.
He served on the Batavia City City Council from 1983-1991, representing the city's first ward.
City Administrator Bill McGrath was city attorney when Stolarz was on the City Council.
He said Stolarz strongly believed there should be close communication between aldermen and city staff.
"He always represented the people from his ward very well," McGrath said.
Stolarz took pride in improvements being made in the city, such as the expansion of the city's sidewalk program, Schielke said.
"He definitely wanted to see progressive things done," Schielke said.
He was not shy about his opinions.
"If he felt strongly about an issue, he would let you know," Schielke said. "John and I had our disagreements, but at the end of the day, he never held a grudge."
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 1891 Kaneville Road, Geneva, where the family will greet guests from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of mass.
Interment will be private.
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