Edward J. Holba
Freeman Chicago Director of Safety
December 7, 1944 – September 22, 2021
Ed Holba, 76, of Joliet and formerly Oak Forest, Ill., passed away Sept. 22 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He worked as police officer for Oak Forest Police Dept., Oak Forest Park District, and for Willow Springs Police Dept. He was also director of security for Grabill and director of safety for Freeman Corp.
Born in Chicago, Ed was raised in Evergreen Park, Ill., and was a graduate of Brother Rice High School. He served in the U.S. Army and, after being honorably discharged, continued his education at the University of Illinois-Chicago, obtaining a bachelors degree there and then a masters degree from Chicago State University.
Always willing to serve, Ed was a member of the NRA, Safari Club International, American Legion, the Scottish Rite, Special Agents Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He was a competitive marksman and an NRA instructor. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to go fishing and hunting. He enjoyed jewelry making that incorporated genuine gemstones and pearls and he cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.
He was the beloved husband of JoAnn (nee Evans) Holba; loving father of Peg (Jeff) Herald and Jeanne (Christopher) Puacz; adoring grandpa “Dzia Dzia” of Megan and Jillian Herald and Zoey, Declan, and Phoebe Puacz; and dear brother of Peg (Dick) Achter. He was preceded in death by his parents Frances (nee Robak) and John Holba.
Services were held Oct. 4 in Elwood, Ill. For those who prefer, memorials in his name can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
To send condolences or share a memory, visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com/tribute/details/7113/Edward-Holba/obituary.html
This story originally appeared in the Nov./Dec. 2021 issue of Exhibit City News, p. TK. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/ecn_nov-dec_2021
