Prairie State Wire

Thomas R. Rybka, 76, a U.S. Army 101st Airborne Veteran, formerly of Brighton Park and Burbank, passed away on March 2, 2025. He was the beloved husband of 56 years to Lenore (nee Marek) Rybka, devoted father of Kimberly Oliver and Michelle Rybka, and proud Papa of Holly and Paige. Thomas was the son of the late John and Bernice Rybka and the cherished brother of the late John, Robert, Patricia, and Ronald. He was a longtime crane operator at Central Steel & Wire and was known as "Truly the toughest and funniest man we ever knew." Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3-8 p.m., with a Funeral Service on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home in Orland Park, IL. Interment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Relatives, friends, and acquaintances are invited to share memories on Tom’s Tribute Wall at www.sheehyfh.com. To honor Thomas, contributions can be made by planting a memorial tree in his memory through the Tree Store.

Click here to read the original obituary.