Romuald Shaparis Obituary

Romuald "Ray" Shaparis, 86, formerly of Hinsdale, Illinois, and more recently of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away on August 31, 2025 after lengthy illness.

Ray was born Romualdas Antanas Anusas on June 19, 1939 in Kaunas, Lithuania. Following the passing of his father in 1940, Ray was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Apolonia and Kazimierz Shaparis, who cared for, protected, and nurtured him, lovingly raising him as their own son. In 1944, he and his family fled Lithuania to escape Soviet oppression, but, unable to make it to the American sector, remained in Poland, where Ray went to high school and college. In Poland, Ray was a collegiate track star in the 800m. Decades later, his eldest daughter Yvonne followed in his footsteps as a high school Illinois All State Athlete in track.

Ray's college education was interrupted in 1962 when the family emigrated to the United States, to the Chicagoland area. Ray returned to Poland in 1963 to marry, and, after starting his family lived in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Ray was the ultimate example of the tenacious, hard-working, successful immigrant, working long hours to ensure that his family would have a better life in the United States. Ray continued his college education by taking night classes at Illinois Institute of Technology, and in 1984, obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. His daughter Yvonne is an accountant, and daughter Aneta is an attorney.

Ray worked at Daubert Chemical for over 26 years, finally retiring in 2004. He built his dream home in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he lived until a fall required a move to an assisted living facility in Indianapolis.

Ray was an avid reader and seeker of knowledge, and keenly interested in history and genealogy. He traveled to Lithuania and Poland after retiring, reconnecting with family and researching his roots.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, and sister Nijola. He is survived by his sister Halina Sladowski (Henry), daughters Yvonne Schwedland (Kelly), Aneta Freeman (Doug), his two beloved grandchildren Natalia and Erik Schwedland, nieces, nephews, and many cousins, both here in the United States and in Lithuania.

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