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Ralph Amasa Zahorik, 83, died in the early morning hours of May 23, 2022, from COVID-19. He was with his daughter Kristina Zahorik, and his son Tom Zahorik was on the phone.
His underlying health issues, a product of the tobacco industry, caused him to move in with Kristina and her vaccinated family in McHenry County as the pandemic hit in 2020. Previously, he lived in Waukegan, where he was a newspaperman for 40 years writing for weekly and daily newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune and the Lake County News-Sun.
Ralph was born in Chicago in 1939. His family moved from the Southside Woodlawn neighborhood to Lisbon, Iowa, in 1947.
Ralph made lifelong friends wherever he went. He had a healthy sense of humor, believed in uplifting working families, was intensely curious about life and people, loved his nine siblings, and was proud of his work life. In Iowa, he worked on farms as a teen, played basketball like his father, was valedictorian, and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1967 with a degree in cartography. He completed his degree due to the benefits of the GI Bill. While in college, he drove a cab where he met the mother of his children; he was also an attendant at the university's psychiatric hospital. His work at the hospital underscoring his sense of compassion. He also worked as a bartender, laborer, truck driver, furniture mover, iron worker, and an assembly line worker.
He served in the 1st Armored Division based at Fort Hood for two years in the early 1960s and in the Army Reserves for four years, 1964-1967. His division was in Florida during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. As a veteran, Zahorik got vaccinated through The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.
Married in October 1964, Ralph moved with his wife, stepson, and daughter to Illinois in 1968. His family grew in 1969 with the birth of his son.
Ralph maintained an exceptional collection of books and strange objects, including tomes about the trolls of Scandinavia, peculiar statues, costume jewelry, ancient maps, and rotund birds. During his life in Illinois, he worked as a clerk and gas station attendant before serving within the newspaper world as a reporter, copy editor, associate editor, managing editor, city editor and columnist.
Like his father and many brothers, Ralph was a proud active union member. He was a 50-year member of the Chicago Newspaper Guild (AFLCIO), now the Chicago News Guild and a sector of the Communication Works of America (CWA). He served on the Executive Board of the Chicago Guild and chair of the local's Waukegan Unit for 18 years, and later as chair of the local's General Press Unit. He was an active member of the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor Council for 20 years, briefly serving on its Executive Board. He wrote for Chicago area labor publications and took active roles in supporting working people. He championed union organizing drives and striking workers throughout the state and country, joining the Chicago Solidarity Committee delivering food to striking workers and rallying at the Staley corn processing plant in Decatur. He also marched in the massive 1991 Washington, D.C., Union Solidarity Day Rally and the 1980s Hormel strike in Austin, Minnesota. He was proud to provide grassroots campaigning and organizing for Democratic candidates, especially former President Barack Obama.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, John Zahorik, Sr. and Sonya Holmboe Zahorik. He is also preceded in death by his siblings, Noel Zahorik Johnson and Charlie Zahorik. Ralph's father died in 1983 and was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World and a savvy business agent for Iron Workers Local 89 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Four generations of Zahoriks have worked in the trades in Illinois and Iowa. Ralph's mother died in 1993 and was an artist known for her Norwegian rosemaling and whimsical wall murals and paintings.
Ralph Zahorik is survived and much loved by his daughter, Kristina Zahorik (Paul Sindberg); his son, Thomas Zahorik (Val Newcomb); their mother and his former wife Bonnie Elliott Zahorik; his grandchildren Sonya, Paul, Peri, Ryan and Ali Sindberg, and Jane and Elliott Zahorik; his siblings Eileen Dighton, John, Frank, Robert, and Karin Zahorik; and his nieces and nephews Joe Zahorik, John Zahorik, Marey Stone, Jill Linder, Kathleen Castro, and Ralph Johnson.
Ralph also leaves behind his dear friends Judy Raibley Masterson and Robert Sanders, whom he treated like a son and who grew up in his house, and Robert's children Nick, Jessica, Stephanie, and Johnathon.
The family asks you get vaccinated and organize.
Memorial donations can be made in Ralph Zahorik's name to any of the following: ProPublica 211 W. Wacker Dr., Third Floor, Chicago, IL60606, https://www.propublica.org, Labor & Education Research Project 7435 Michigan Ave., Detroit MI 48210-2227, www.labornotes.org, Institute for Nonprofit News 8549 Wilshire Blvd #2294, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 https://inn.org/donate, The Environmental Defense Fund, www.edf.org, The American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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