Stephanie R. Chiakas, 17, of LITH; Crystal Lake South Student

Stephanie R. Chiakas, 17, of Lake in the Hills, formerly of St. Charles, Missouri, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 10, 2013.

She was born September 27, 1995, in Evansville, Indiana, to Kenneth and Sheri (nee Machac) Chiakas.

Stephanie, who was very mature and creative for her age, was known for her leadership and cooking skills, loving and responsible nature, and her love for animals and gardening.

Currently a junior at Crystal Lake South High School, she excelled in school and enjoyed “hangin with the crew.”

Survivors include her parents, Kenneth Chiakas of Des Plaines and Sheri Chiakas of Lake in the Hills; sister, Alicia Chiakas of Lake in the Hills; grandparents, Paul and Carol Chiakas of Des Plaines, Frank Machac of Inverness, and Larry and Jenny Podgorny of Hartland, WI; and many other loving family members and friends.

The visitation will be 2 to 9 p.m., Thursday, March 14, at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Route 176, Crystal Lake. 

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, March 15, at the funeral home.  Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Stephanie’s name may be made to Helping Paws Animal Shelter Home, 2500 Harding Ln., Woodstock, IL 60098, 815-338-4400, or www.helpingpaws.net.