Wade A. Mozal

Wade Allen Mozal Sr., age 94, of Mt. Prospect, formerly of Des Plaines since 1959, passed away June 8, 2026. Devoted husband of the late Darlene “Babe” (nee Stojetz). Loving father of Wade Jr. (Mary), Michele (Bill) Solger, Michael (Jayne) Mozal, and the late Timothy and Thomas Mozal. Proud grandfather of Sarah, Danielle (Tim), Samantha (Adam), Michael, Stephanie (Christian), Axel (Jorie), Madison, and Gunnar (fiancee Katherine); great-grandfather of Darren and Lenora. Dearest life partner of Dorothy Conjura. Beloved brother of the late Barbara Jeanette, Donald Edward Mozal, Patricia Helen Sallis, and Carol Janice Aicher. 

Wade was born January 21, 1932 the first son of Edward August and Helen Louise (nee Olson) Mozal. After the sudden death of his mother in 1941, Wade spent his boyhood on the Olson family farm in Ephraim, WI, attending Moravian Church and receiving his education in a one room schoolhouse. In his adolescence he moved back to the city of Chicago, graduating from St. Mel’s High School in the class of 1950. 

After graduation Wade enlisted in the United States Marines, serving in Korea from 1950 to 1953 as a Forward Observer in the mortar platoon weapons company. For his service, he took part in an Honor Flight in 2019.

Having grown up poor, Wade understood the value of saving and supporting his family through hard times. He was a tradesman, working as a Construction Superintendent and proud member of the Carpenter's Union for most of his life. He delighted in taking home movies and photographs of his young family on their many road trips and camping trips.

In October of 1974, Wade & Babe bought a modest cabin on a lake in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. Through the decades of his life, he and generations of his family and friends worked to renovate the property into a much-loved vacation home. In the summers there was swimming, skiing, and boating. In the winters there was a lot of snowmobiling. And in every season, there was playing cards at the kitchen table, together.

After losing Babe in 2002, Wade dove into genealogy. He learned AOL before most and tracked his family tree back to Finland, corresponding with his distant relations and eventually traveling there to meet them. One of his greatest legacies will be the boxes of old photographs and documents, annotated with the details he discovered of his ancestors, researched meticulously for his descendants. 

In his prime Wade loved tracking the miles he swam nearly everyday, bicycling, and working with his hands. He had a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and human craftsmanship. He was a woodworker, a baker, and an amateur vintner. Wade also blessed this world with his generous regular donations of blood to the American Red Cross.

Wade was lucky to spend his senior years with Dorothy, the light in his life. They spent joyful winters amongst friends in Green Valley, Arizona, winning at the local casino, and eating his favorite Mexican food. Dorothy’s dedication to Wade’s comfort & happiness in his final years will never be forgotten. 

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 10:30 am at St. Emily Church, 1400 E Central Rd., Mt Prospect, Illinois. Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center. For information, please call 847-699-9003 or visit www.glhillsfuneralhome.com.