Ephraim Reyes, 83, of Chicago, died peacefully December 11, 2023, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn; children Eileen (Ryan) Lash, Eric (Rebecca Maughan) Reyes and Earl (Sasha) Reyes; grandchildren Cara Reyes, Mahal Reyes, Simon Reyes and Elaine Reyes; and his siblings: sister Fe, sister Miriam, brother Jerson and brother Levy. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.

Ephraim was born in Ibaan, Batangas, Philippines, to Arcenio and Nazaria Reyes.

He graduated with several honors from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines, with a degree in business. He worked for Philippine National Bank in Ormoc City where he met his future wife, Evelyn.

Ephraim moved to the United States shortly after and earned an MBA from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

While working on his degree, he married Evelyn and they started a family. They moved to Rockford, where he worked as an accountant for several companies and started several retail businesses: Pearl of the Orient and World Wide Gifts at CherryVale Mall; Oriental Treasures at Clock Tower Inn; and Floral Bon-Ton. He and Evelyn moved to Chicago in the late 1990s where he eventually retired.

While in Rockford, Ephraim was an active member of Holy Family Church and the Filipino community. He was a parishioner of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

Ephraim was a generous father and grandfather who adored his grandchildren and treasured spending time with them.

Throughout life he loved hosting friends and family. Ephraim's jovial nature was endearing to all around him. His classmates recall him as a "dynamo" in college. He was the first student to manage the cooperative and regularly was called on by the university to entertain American guests.

Ephraim was a skilled ballroom dancer; lover of music, travel and books; avid gardener; and was known to play a few hands of blackjack or rounds of mahjong.

Family and friends will meet on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654 for a 9:30 a.m. Visitation followed by a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass. Free parking for Holy Name Cathedral is available at 14 W. Superior St. (between Dearborn Street and State Street). Please use any nonreserved parking space on Lower Level One (LL1) or Lower Level Two (LL2). Private Interment to follow at Saint Boniface Cemetery, 4901 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60640.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Name Cathedral, 730 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, www.holynamecathedral.org , 312-787-8040.

For further information please call 312-421-0936.