Missing elderly Berwyn man found dead

BERWYN, Ill. — Missing Berwyn resident Jose G. Arevalo, 83, was found deceased by detectives late Tuesday morning.

According to Berwyn police, Arevalo was found around 11:26 a.m. in the 2100 block of South Harlem Avenue in North Riverside.

Arevalo was last seen Dec. 1 in the area of 19th Street and Scoville Avenue in Berwyn before being found Tuesday. At the time, family said he suffered from Alzheimer’s and may be trying to get back to where he used to live in Little Village, or even his previous home back in Mexico.

“My father was an immigrant who worked hard as a mechanic in an alley of little village. He spent his money on his family, friends, and anyone who wanted to join us for a meal,” said a family member in a statement. “He kept neighborhood kids out of the streets and ensured they were not in gangs by mentoring them as mechanics. A few of them came back to thank him for saving their lives. He was an amazing grandfather and great father.”

Police have not released any additional information on the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“The Berwyn Police Department has been in contact with the Arevalo family and we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to his family,” said Berwyn Chief of Police Michael Cimaglia.