Joseph Kromelis
Joseph Kromelis (1947 – December 11, 2022) known as 'Walking Man', 'Walking Dude'[1][2] or Walking Yanni[3] was a Chicago-area homeless man and street vendor known for his physical appearance and for wandering about the city. He typically dressed in a v-neck t-shirt and a suit and kerchief, and had long, wavy hair[4] and a thick mustache.[5]
Sources differ as to whether Kromelis was born in Germany[6] or Lithuania.[7] His family lived in Lithuania, and while Kromelis was still a child, moved to Chicago where they managed a bar on Halsted street.[8] After his family moved to Michigan,[9] Kromelis remained in Chicago and found work in a factory. He later obtained a peddler's license,[8] and sold jewelry for income while wandering the Loop.[10]
Over the decades, he became a noted Chicago personality.[11] He was the subject of a 2006 documentary called "Dudementary".[12] About his fame, Kromelis stated “I’m like the Kardashians — I’m famous for doing nothing.”[2]
Victim of assaults
[edit]In 2016, another homeless man beat Kromelis with a baseball bat. After his hospitalization, his name and some details about his background became public.[3]
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On May 25, 2022, Kromelis was the victim of an unprovoked arson attack by Joseph Guardia[14] while he slept under a bridge. The attack left him with burns over 40-65% of his body.[15]
Death
[edit]Kromelis died on December 11, 2022, at the age of 75,[16] as a result of the injuries he sustained in the arson attack.[17] After donations, his remains were interred in St. Boniface Cemetery.[18]
On October 24, 2024, Joseph Guardia was sentenced to 47 years in prison for Kromelis’s murder.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ Dudek, Mitch (1 June 2016). "Thousands raised, but 'Walking Dude' may walk away from it all". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ a b Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ a b Schmich, Mary (May 27, 2016). "'Walking Man' loses some privacy as a result of beating". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Schmich, Mary (2019-11-05). Even the Terrible Things Seem Beautiful to Me Now: On Hope, Loss, and Wearing Sunscreen. Agate+ORM. ISBN 978-1-57284-836-8.
- ^ staff (December 12, 2022). "Chicago's homeless 'Walking Man' dies after May arson attack". SFGate.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ "Obituary information for Joseph Kromelis". www.sullivanfamilyfuneralhomes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Joseph Kromelis, Chicago's 'Walking Man,' dies". Crain's Chicago Business. 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ a b Dahlman, Steven. "More than $30k raised for ';Walking Dude,' recovering from assault on Lower Wacker". Loop North News. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Wyderka, B (13 December 2022). "Nie żyje chicagowski Walking Man. Znany w mieście bezdomny w maju został podpalony". Deon24 (in Polish). Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Ph.d, Dr Neil Gale (2020-04-21). "The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™: The Story of Chicago's "Walking Man." Joseph "Joe" Kromelis. (1947-Dec 11, 2022)". The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ Gorner, Jeremy (27 May 2016). "Mystery of Chicago's 'Walking Man' solved, but only after he's beaten and hospitalized". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Dahlman, Steven. "Mockumentary on River North's 'Walking Dude' surpasses 10,000 YouTube hits". Loop North News. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ "The Rundown: Remembering Chicago's "Walking Man"". WBEZ Chicago. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ staff (December 12, 2022). "Chicago's "Walking Man" dies months after being set on fire". cbsnews.com. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Oladipo, Gloria (12 December 2022). "Chicago's 'walking man' dies nearly seven months after being set on fire". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Jordan (December 13, 2022). "Chicago's 'Walking Man' dies at 75 from complications of injuries caused by May gasoline attack". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Struett, David (12 December 2022). "'Walking Man' dies months after being set on fire: 'An absolute Chicago character'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ Struett, David (5 January 2023). "Walking Man's remains to be interred in Chicago cemetery after donations". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ "47-year prison term for fatal attack on Chicago's 'Walking Man'". Chicago Tribune. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
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