William Ivantic

William Claude Ivantic, a long-time resident of Lake County, died peacefully on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by his beloved family.

Born September 4, 1927 in North Chicago, Illinois to Mathias Ivanetich and Agnes Jakopin, Bill graduated from St. George High School, Evanston, Illinois in 1944. He attended St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota, graduating in 1950 after taking a year off school to serve his country during World War II. Bill began his career at North Shore Savings and Loan Association (now called North Shore Trust and Savings) in 1950. The “bank” was founded by Slovenian immigrants in North Chicago in the 1920’s to serve their community. Bill’s father and two sisters worked full-time at the “bank” and encouraged him to join them there after he graduated from college. During his long career at North Shore, Bill served in a variety of positions including Secretary, Director, President, and Chairman of the Board. He officially retired from “the bank” in January 1998.

In October 1950, Bill wed Ruth Helen Johnson and together Bill and Ruth raised five children primarily at their home on South Bonnie Brook Lane in Waukegan.

In his addition to his career at North Shore Savings and Loan, Bill also ran Little Fort Realty and The Ivantic Insurance Agency. In the 1960’s, Bill and some of his friends developed Greenshire Golf Course which they eventually sold to the Waukegan Park District.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. “Papa” loved taking his grandkids fishing on Lake Michigan and on the gulf near his winter home in the Florida Keys. He and Ruth also loved spending time at their summer place in Green Lake, Wisconsin where everyone - young and old - was encouraged to learn to water ski.

Bill was an active member of his community belonging both to the Waukegan City Club and the Waukegan Yacht Club. He was also a founding member of Saint Dismas Catholic Parish.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Ivantic who passed away on May 1, 2017 as well as eight siblings: Agnes Ivantic, Frank Ivantic, Sister Mary Vivian Ivantic, Louise Ivantic, Paul Ivantic (WW2), Joseph Ivantic (WW2), Mary Bassett, and Theresa Reinhart.

Bill and Ruth are survived by their five children: Thomas Ivantic (Terri), Susan Bowling (Tom), Elizabeth
Kneesel (Tom), Karen Ivantic, Amy Ivantic Avakian(Alfred), fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee, Illinois 60041. Visitation at the church from 9:00 - 10:00 am; Memorial Mass immediately following.
Following the service, interment for both Bill and Ruth will take place at Ascension Catholic Cemetery, 1920 Buckley Road, Libertyville, Illinois.
Memorial gifts in Bill’s honor may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, Saint Scholastica Monastery, 7430 N. Ridge Road, Chicago, IL 60645.St.

Arrangements are under the direction of Peterson & Patch Funeral Home, Waukegan. Please sign our online guestbook at www.waukeganfunerals.com.