Gregory A. Pankow
Obituary's Biography:
Gregory Allen Pankow, 69, of Third Lake passed away Monday July 11, 2016 peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side, after a brief illness. He was born May 10th, 1947 in Chicago to Edwin and Emma Pankow. Gregory was baptized into the Christian faith on May 25th, 1947 and made public confession of his faith at his confirmation on September 19th, 1982. He married Donna Mae Krumrey on April 30th, 1983. Their first home was in Libertyville and later moved to Third Lake, IL. After graduation from high school, where he was a member of ROTC for 4 years, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for 5 years during the Vietnam War. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve for 4 years. He had great love and pride for his country. He also worked for Northwest Airlines for 39 years in the capacity of Equipment Service, and had many friends there. Greg was very involved in play activities with his two grandchildren, Maddy and Jonny, and his cat Neo. His pride and joy were his flower gardens. For 32 years he was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Libertyville by volunteering for many activities. He also was a recipient of a heart transplant and survived almost 5 years. Previous to that he endured an external heart pump for 17 months. He endured the many trips to St. Lukes Hospital in Wisconsin with his devoted wife Donna and by his strong faith. Greg leaves behind his beloved wife Donna (nee: Krumrey) of 32 years, loving daughter Deanna (her former husband Jeremy) and cherished grandchildren Madison and Jonathan Aiken. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Emma Pankow. Greg also leaves behind his brothers Eddy (Cathy) Pankow of Marengo, IL, and Kenneth (Marilee) Pankow of Florida and sister Eileen (Roger) Harris of Kansas and nieces and nephews Jeana, Justin, Kathy (Gary), Richard (Liz), and Michael (Diana). He leaves behind brothers-in-law Eddie (the late Mary) Krumrey, Donald Krumrey and sister-in-law Nancy (Roger) Santagato and also many distant relatives and many caring friends at his church where he participated in evening and Sunday morning Bible class. Friends may visit Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 9:00am until 11:00am with a funeral service commencing at 11:00am at St. John Lutheran Church 501 W. Park Ave. Libertyville, IL with Pastor Raddatz officiating. Interment will follow at Warren Cemetery in Gurnee. Luncheon will follow at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Heart Transplant Association at St. Lukes. For more information please contact (847) 223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org