Retired Oak Lawn Firefighter Lyle L. Lake Dies At 76

OAK LAWN, IL — Lyle L. Lake, an Oak Lawn native and former village firefighter died Feb. 23, “surrounded by his adoring family in a room full of love.” He was 76.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on August 29, 1943, Lyle spent his entire life living in the Chicago area. He graduated from Oak Lawn Community High School in 1962, where he met the love of his life and excelled in numerous choral and individual singing events. Lyle also graduated from Moraine Valley Community College. He married his love, Dian Gambon, on April 3, 1965, and began their nearly 55-year journey as husband and wife.

In February 1966, Lyle joined the Oak Lawn Fire Department, after serving as a volunteer firefighter for two years with the Columbus Manor Fire Department. He was very proud to be serving his community and promoting public safety alongside the other members of the department. After 34 years in the fire service, Lieutenant Lyle Lake retired in 1998.

While Lyle loved being a firefighter, he often claimed that his favorite job in life was being a father. He gained this position in March of 1966 when his first daughter, Laura, was born. Later he became a father of two in 1967 with Lyle, Jr. joining his family. He was extremely proud to continue growing his family with Lewis in 1969, Lynette in 1970, and Leon in 1975. He often called his clan “The Great Lakes.”

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Florence Lake, a brother, William Janz, and a sister, Bettylou Hullett. He is survived by his loving wife, Dian, his five children, Laura (Steve) Olewinski, Lyle Jr. (Michelle), Lewis (Donna), Lynette (Serena), and Leon (Diane), twelve grandchildren, Lyle III, Alexandra, Sydney, Maxwell, Amber, Logan, Margaret, Cooper, and Jessica Lake, and Larissa, Mitchell, and Cassandra Olewinski, a brother, Lewis “Skip” Lake, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Lyle Lake will take place on Sunday, March 8, with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. and a service at 3:00pm at Salem United Church of Christ, 9717 S. Kostner Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations/expressions of sympathy be made to Salem United Church of Christ.

“A part of us died with him, but a much larger part of Lyle lives on in the countless lives he touched through acts of kindness and caring both large and small, and the legacy of service, family, and faith that will always define him,” his family said.