From various news sources in Chicago via Breaking News: Six locals die in West Virginia plane crash

Six people from the Chicago area, including four pilots who were members of a local aviation club, were killed when their light plane crashed Friday in West Virginia, the club president confirmed today.

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Although West Virginia authorities had still not officially identified the victims by Sunday, dozens of friends and family members gathered at the American Polish Aero Club, 6615 W. Irving Park Road, to reminisce about the club members they say were aboard the twin-engine Piper PA-34.

Earlier Sunday, about a thousand mourners gathered at St. Constance Catholic Church in Chicago for a memorial service for the victims, according to the pastor.

American Polish Aero Club President Chester Wojnicki identified the members killed as Kazimierz Adamski, of Morton Grove; Wieslaw Dobrzanski, of Niles; Irenevsz Michalowski, of Des Plaines; and Stanislaw Matras, of Chicago. Wojnicki did not know their ages.

Also aboard the plane were Monika Niemiec, 26, a reporter for a Polish radio station based in Chicago, and her father, Stanley Niemiec, who was along for the ride, Wojnicki said. Both were from Harwood Heights.

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Bogumil Adamski, 29, lost his uncle, Kazimierz Adamski, in the crash.

He said his uncle was born in Poland and always dreamed of coming to the U.S. and learning to fly. He had his pilot’s license for more than 14 years, his nephew said.

“It was his dream,” Bogumil Adamski said.

Beata Zajkowska said she lost her husband of two years in the crash, Irenevsz Michalowski. She says she’s still awaiting official confirmation, but she knows her husband was on the plane.

“I am realistic,” she said. “But I have to keep hope. I keep trying to call” his cell phone, she said through tears.

But her husband, who flew for 23 years, doesn’t answer.

“I love him, I will miss him,” she said. “He loved to fly.”

Kasey Giera said she knew victim Monika Niemiec from back when the two lived in Poland, and she taught Monika is preschool.

They both came to the United States for better opportunities, she said, and stayed in touch as Monika grew up. A bright, outgoing young woman, Monika loved politics, Giera said, and became a reporter for a Polish radio station, based in Chicago.

Monika was covering the Aero club’s trip as a news reporter, and her father came along for the adventure. Club members said the idea was to buy the new plane on this trip and announce it as a surprise at the club’s annual February banquet.

“Every day on my way to work, I heard her voice on the radio,” Giera said. “I will miss her.”

The American Polish Aero Club meets in office space on the second floor of a small shopping mall on West Irving Park Road, where all the stores sell Polish-made goods, and all signs are in Polish.

Dozens of people came to the club Sunday afternoon for coffee and desserts as they looked over thick photo albums showing members at club picnics, banquets, and of course, in planes.

The picnics and banquets are annual events for the 17-year-old club. Its brochure includes a note in English saying it’s the largest Polish flying club outside of Poland.

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Father Ted Dzieszko, pastor of St. Constance Catholic Church in Chicago, said about 1,000 mourners attended a memorial service for the victims Sunday afternoon. Because the victims had not yet been officially identified, their names were not used during the service, the pastor said.

“Many members of the club were here,” he said. “They’re devastated.”

Eternal rest grant onto them O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

Wieczne odpoczynek racz mu dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj mu świeci.
Niech odpoczywa w pokoju, Amen.