Our History
The Memorial Chapel of Waukegan at 1521 Washington St. was opened in December of 2008 by Daniel R. Patch and Daniel R. Patch, Jr. The Patch family purchased the building from the Marsh family.
The building was home of the Marsh Funeral Home for almost 70 years. The Marsh family sold the firm to a large national funeral conglomerate in 1997. They ceased operation at that location in 2007.
-
Lesly Mondragon Manager/Funeral Director
Lesly was born in La Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico. She is the proud daughter of Gilberto Mondragon Vicario born in Mexico City and Nora Navarro Orozco born and raised in Morelia, Michoacán. She moved to Illinois at the age of three and lived in various cities such as Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Glenview and Lake Bluff. She has a twelve year old daughter named Casandra Anahi. She has four siblings, Jorge, Ivan, Gilberto, and Joselin. Lesly loves a good home cooked meal, enjoys dancing, listening to music and learning new things every day. Her dedication to funeral service came after volunteering at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in both the transportation and pathology departments. She graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, where she excelled as Vice President of Pi Sigma Eta (National Honor Society) and also received Associates in Applied Science in September 2014, becoming the first in her family to graduate college.She joined the firm in 2014 and quickly became known in the community as a compassionate and caring funeral director. Being bilingual in Spanish and English has helped Lesly serve the families of Waukegan and all of Lake County.
-
Daniel R. Patch, Jr
Dan was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois and is a lifelong resident. He spent his life growing up around the funeral business learning from and being inspired by his father, Dan Patch Sr., to one day become a funeral director.Dan attended the College of Lake County and soon after graduated from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1995 and has since been employed by Peterson and Patch. His years dedicated to the funeral profession have given Dan the opportunity to fulfill his life passion serving the families of our community.Dan has been active in the community for many years. In 2000 he served as the president of the City Club of Waukegan, and is currently a member of the Exchange Club, Waukegan Moose Lodge 706, and Knights of Columbus 731. Dan is also very involved with the Northeastern Illinois Funeral Directors Association, where he had served as president from 2004-2006. He is also a current member of both Illinois and National Funeral Directors Association.In 2000, Dan married Michelle Miscenic of Waukegan and they currently have two children, Oliver and Cecilia. He values his time with his wife and kids and is extremely dedicated to his family. Dan also enjoys attending sporting events and playing golf with his friends and family.
-
Gilberto Navarro Funeral Assistant
Gilberto was born in La Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico. He is the proud son of Gilberto Mondragon Vicario born and raised in Quetzalapa, Guerrero and Nora Navarro Orozco born and raised in Morelia, Michoacán. He has been serving the Waukegan and surrounding communities through his DJ business since 2010. He loves making others smile and playing guitar in his free time. Gilberto's passion for others is the reason he joined the Memorial Chapel team and ever since he has been serving the community with care and compassion. While Gilberto is an important part of our funeral team he is also the handy man of Memorial Chapel and helps out in any way he can.
-
Bianca Navarrete Funeral Apprentice
Bianca was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. She attended St. Anastasia Middle School and continued on to Waukegan High School. Bianca graduated from SIUC Mortuary Program with a bachelor's in science. Outside of work, Bianca enjoys art, visiting her family in Belize, and spending time with her two beloved dogs. Bianca is our apprentice and is working to become a licensed funeral director to further serve her community with compassion.
