Justin Ardeleanu of Brookfield Illinois, formerly of Bucharest Romania, age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday May 10th. He is survived by his wife Mariana (Armeanu), niece Alexandria (Petro) in Italy, niece Cornelia (Robert) Merchant , nephew Constantin Aurel (Bessie) Ardeleanu, great niece Jennifer (Wayne) Loader, great nephew Jason (Michelle) Pantea, great-nephew C Evan Ardeleanu, and 2x great-nephew Gabriel Loader. Justin was preceded in death by both of his older brothers Constantin & Gheorghita (Romania) and great-niece Alexia Ardeleanu
Justin was born June 24, 1926 youngest of three brothers to Teodore and Veturica (Stanca) Ardelean in a small village in southwestern county of Bihor, Transylvania. Justin came to the US from Romania in 1980. He worked at Inland Steel, as many immigrants did who came to Northwest Indiana. Soon after settling in the area Justin became a member of the Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, worshiping and establishing new friendships in the Romanian community. In a short time he was able to bring his fiancé, Mariana, to join him in his new life and homeland. They were married on April 23, 1982. Eventually they both found employment in LaGrange Illinois and moved to Brookfield. Justin and Mariana became members of Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox Church. Justin served on the parish council and was the financial secretary for many years. Justin had a big heart and was true example the Orthodox Christian faith by example; faithful to his family and his many friends. He was very moved and grateful to all his family and dear friends who visited him at home when he no longer could visit them; for all their phone calls and support; for visiting in the nursing home via video chats; and for all the prayers at the end of his life.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 23, 2021 at Descent of the Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church, 750 W 61st Avenue, Merrillville, IN, 46410 from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Funeral Service to follow from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with a Memorial Meal to follow in the parish hall. Burial and Graveside Service will be Monday, May 24, 2021 at Holy Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery, 3389 Rives Eaton Rd, Rives Junction, Michigan, 49277 at 2:30 pm. Visiting on the Monastery property is limited to the outside grounds. Visitors are asked not to go in the church, guest house, or trapeze for the safety of the nuns due to Covid. 40 day Memorial and Memorial Meal will be Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Holy Nativity Church, 5825 N Mozart St. Chicago, IL, 60659 at 3:00 pm.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Justin Ardeleanu, please visit our floral store.