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Hitzeman Funeral Home nears 100th year
Suburban Life
By Dave Rossetti, Correspondent
August 9, 2003

When Frederick Hitzeman founded a Chicago undertaking business in 1904, he probably never would have dreamt that it would still be up and running nearly 100 years later.

But as next year's centennial anniversary of Frederick Hitzeman Funeral Home approaches, Todd Hitzeman, Frederick's 48 year-old great-grandson and president of the home, says passing down the trade from generation to generation has helped the business stay successful.

"(Frederick) was working with two generations when he died," he said. "You have some continuity when you're learning and you have two or three generations working together.

Todd learned much about the business from those earlier generations, working with both his father, Norbert, and his grandfather Charles R., before getting his funeral director/embalmer's license from Worsham Mortuary School and taking over as director in 1976. His son Charles T. "Chuck" Hitzeman, 24, who has been helping out at the home since he was 11, also had the opportunity to learn with both his father and grandfather before beginning a full-time position in 2002.

"They kept an eye on the young-uns and tried to help them out whenever they needed," added Susan Hitzeman, Todd's wife and secretary for the funeral home.

Beyond their knowledgeable background in the funeral home business, the Hitzemans greatest contribution to the community, which the family has been part of since Norbert moved his business in 1963 from Keeler Avenue and 26th Street in Chicago to 9445 W. 31st Street in Brookfield, might be their attention to quality service and the goal of providing comfort and dignity to everyone who comes through their doors.

Todd added that he takes pride in knowing that someone from the family is always available at the funeral home to answer phone call inquiries from bereaved patrons, a task made easier because the family resides in nearby La Grange Park.

In addition to their availability, the Hitzemans have found ways to help the community through other means. The funeral home sponsors Little League baseball teams in Brookfield and La Grange Park, and has been active in Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, with Chuck as vice president of the Brookfield-La Grange Park Lions Club.

Chuck, who graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before attending Worsham Mortuary School, said the opportunity to help others swayed him to follow in his fathers footsteps. "I just saw the difference (I) could make," he said.

But before he assumes control of the funeral home, Chuck, who recently married his college sweetheart Danielle, thinks he has a little more learning to do from the previous generation.

"I'm in no hurry to take over the business," he quipped. "As long as my dad wants to stay on as boss, he's more than welcome."

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Todd N. Hitzeman ~ President
info@hitzemanfuneral.com

Phone 708-485-2000   Phone 773-521-3808   Fax 708-485-2002

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