ST. CHARLES—Deacon Paul Iwanski, 73, died Feb. 9, 2023. He was born Nov. 27, 1949. 

 

He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rockford on May 14, 1994, and served at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles. 

 

He taught theology at Rosary High School in Aurora, 2006-2015. 

 

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; sons Jonathan, Christopher and David; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

 

A visitation was held Feb. 13, followed by a funeral Mass  at St. John Neumann Parish. 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. John Neumann Parish.

 

Members of the Rosary High School Alumnae Association shared memories over Facebook of his teaching, coaching and love of Creme Savers. 

 

Debbi Mayer Ellis wrote, “Paul took over the golf team when Scott Walker passed away suddenly. He did a marvelous job coaching the team and his gentle connection with his students made for many wonderful memories at Rosary.”

 

“Thank you for all the [Creme] Savers and for all the laughs in class and out on the course,” Morgan Nickels wrote. 

 

And Kerry Zepeda, another past student, wrote on the Yurs Funeral Homes guest book page: “Mr. [Iwanski] was one of my favorite teachers at Rosary [High School]. His class was the first theology class I ever had and he made the subject not only approachable and understandable, but he also made it fun. He asked thought-provoking questions and encouraged us to find our own faith. I’m grateful he was my teacher and I’ll always remember fondly the laughs we had in his classroom.”