KEVIN MICHAEL CARABALLO

Kevin M. Caraballo, age 35, of Berwyn, IL, passed away Sunday, October 15, 2023 following long battles with his health, but is now free and whole in Heaven, and remembered with love by his family.  He was born November 17, 1987, in Oak Lawn, IL, to loving parents, William “Butch” and Rose Caraballo. Kevin grew up in Cicero before the family moved to Texas for a time. They returned back to Illinois and eventually settled in Berwyn where Kevin attended local schools. He graduated in 2006 from Morton West High School where he made a name for himself on stage, and on the gridiron as member of the football team. Kevin began his working career at the Brookfield Zoo where he garnered the nickname Penguin. Several years later he branched out into retail.  He was a founding and very proud member of the Awesome Uncles Club, dedicated to the spoiling of his nieces and nephews up to and sometimes past the point the parents approved. Kevin was the hands down favorite, never missing a chance to give a smile, a laugh, a hug or joke. If you knew Kevin, you knew he loved his Legos. He lived to build sets but also created his own. He felt at home with a controller in his hand, playing his favorite games, especially HALO and other shooter and strategy games. Some nights there were four televisions going and 15 players all in the same house battling to the bitter end.  He also loved a good scare, watching horror films to his hearts content binging on Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street and all of the hits of his childhood, as well as modern classics of the genre. In general, Kevin was about fun times and good music. Laughter and loud rock were always on tap when you visited Kevin. The world will be colder for his absence, and the echoes of his laughter will bring bittersweet smiles to all who loved him. He is survived by his parents, “Butch” and Rose Caraballo; one stepmother, Wanda Saez; 3 siblings: Will (Claudia) Caraballo Jr., Angie (Alex) Gauna, Alex (Theresa) Caraballo and “brother” Paul Bernaschina,; many nieces, nephews and a family of friends that will miss him dearly. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Miguel Angel and Cecilia Caraballo, his maternal grandparents, Serafin and Carmen Herrera and one aunt, Tia Nelly. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Conley Funeral Hom116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.Private family burial will follow cremation at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kevin’s name. Checks may be made to the “Kevin M. Caraballo Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Memories and tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.