The Bar News

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Central Illinois

  • January 12, 2012 | People
    Philip C. Wherry 1939-2011

    Philip Comstock Wherry, 72, of Chicago, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

    He was born in 1939 in Pekin, to Dr. Roland C. and Miriam Platt Wherry. He was raised in Pekin.

    His parents preceded him in death.

    He is survived by his wife, Cookie; his daughter, Chandler; his brother, Richard (Nancy) Wherry; and a loving circle of family and friends.

    He was educated at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; and graduated from the University of Miami, where he met “the love of his life” and future wife, Helen “Cookie” Reichert.

    After moving to Chicago and graduating from IIT Kent College of Law, Philip became a senior clerk to the late Federal Judge Julius J. Hoffman in Chicago. He became an associate at the law firm of Winston & Strawn before founding the firm of Abrams & Wherry, which specialized in business litigation, both in Chicago.

    Philip had a life-long devotion to the community and historic preservation. He worked closely with Burt Natarus, former alderman of the 42nd Ward, to achieve down-zoning of the Near North Side of Chicago. For 30 years, Philip was involved with the North Dearborn Association, ultimately serving seven terms as its president. He was a co-founder of the Near North Preservation Coalition, which helped retain the beauty of that neighborhood.

  • January 5, 2012 | People
    Chambers, Dawson-Tibbits named shareholders at Johnson, Bunce and Noble, P.C.

    The Peoria, Illinois law firm of Johnson, Bunce & Noble, P.C. is pleased to announce that Patrick T. Chambers and Susan Dawson-Tibbits have become shareholders in the firm.

    Chambers has practiced law since 1978, having graduated with honors from Chicago Kent Law School. He primarily practices in the areas of real estate, title insurance, estate planning, probate, and unemployment benefits.

    Dawson-Tibbits has practiced law since 1979, having graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. A member of the Illinois State Bar Association Elder Law Section Council, the Board of Directors of the Central Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and other related organizations for many years, she concentrates her practice in elder law, advanced directives, guardianships, long-term care advice, and other issues involving the elderly.

    Johnson, Bunce & Noble, P.C. is a Central Illinois law firm primarily focusing in: business law, real estate, estate planning/probate, elder law, taxation, creditors’ rights, and related litigation.

  • December 21, 2011 | People
    Thomas G. West 1940-2011

    Prominent attorney Thomas G. West, 71, was born in Galesburg on March 21, 1940, the son of Helen Jo (Bondi) and Joseph E. West, and died in Northfield, Minn., on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011.

    He was a 1958 graduate of Galesburg High School, a graduate of Northwestern University, BBA, 1962, and University of Chicago Law, JD, 1965. He taught business law at Wisconsin State University, Whitewater, Wis., from 1965-66. He served as assistant state's attorney for Knox County from 1966-67 and Illinois assistant attorney general - condemnation 1968-76.

    Tom gave freely of his time to the greater Galesburg community. In addition to his association with Simpson Law Office, he served as vice president of Bondi Building Corporation.

    Among other activities and local interests, Tom was past president of Soangetaha Country Club and a member of its Hole-in-One Club. He was past chairman of OSF St.Mary Medical Center Board of Directors and served as a board member of OSF St. Mary Medical Center Foundation. Tom was serving on the IFMC-IL advisory board. From 1971-75, Tom served on the board of trustees for Carl Sandburg College and in 2007 was the recipient of its Founder's Circle Award. He served as attorney for Galesburg District 205 and Knoxville District 202 school boards. Tom was past president and treasurer of Temple Sholom board of directors.

  • December 21, 2011 | People
    Hartzell Givens 1912-2011

    Hartzell Givens, 99, of Taylorville, IL died at 3:00 am Friday, December 2, 2011 at Taylorville Care Center.

    He was born November 29, 1912 in Heyworth, IL the son of John P. and Rosa L. Hawthorne Givens. His mother was a cousin of the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. On June 16, 1940 he married Louise D. Dunbar in Taylorville and she preceded him in death on January 11, 1999.

    Hartzell graduated from Eureka College in 1936, and on the 75th anniversary of his graduation he was the oldest living graduate of Eureka College. He then went to Loyola University where he graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1939. Hartzell had the rare distinction among lawyers of having been one of the few that never lost a case. Hartzell specialized in Abstracting and Title work and went to work for Chicago Title Company in Chicago after graduation. He came to Taylorville in January 1946 and worked at the Taylor Abstracting Co. His association with Chicago Title and Trust lasted for 75 years.

    Hartzell was a veteran of World War II serving with the Navy in the Seabees. One of his assignments was in the Marshall Islands and he was present at Tinian when the Enola Gay took off for Hiroshima. The Taylorville Chamber of Commerce awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

  • December 12, 2011 | People
    Richard W. Paterson 1927-2011
    Richard W. Paterson, 84, of Champaign passed away Dec. 10, 2011, surrounded by his wife and children. 

    He was born Jan. 25, 1927, in Champaign to Harold and Dolly (Webb) Paterson. He attended Champaign schools, graduating from Champaign High in 1945. After serving in the Army, he returned to Champaign to earn a law degree from the University of Illinois. He was an attorney in the community for 52 years.

    Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marietta Ripley Paterson, and his sister, Bonnie McLauthlin of Denver, Colo. Richard and Marietta have three daughters, Nancy Strang (David), Mary Kaminsky (Lenny), and Martha Henss (Mark). Their beloved grandchildren are Emma and Jake Henss, Maggie Henss Jones, Tucker, Cameron and Shelby Strang, and Bonnie and Lauren Kaminsky. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Norman Paterson.

  • November 29, 2011 | People
    Brian C. Silverman 1943-2011

    Brian C. Silverman, 68, of Champaign passed away on Nov. 23, 2011 following a long illness.

    He was born in Chicago on Aug. 2, 1943, the son of Mary (Cutler) and Isadore Silverman.

    Brian graduated from DePaul University Law School. He became a Cook County assistant public defender, eventually serving as head of the Juvenile Division.

    In 1979, he moved to Champaign to become the first full-time public defender of Champaign County. After leaving the Public Defender's Office, Brian had a private practice specializing in criminal defense and family law.

    Brian loved the Champaign-Urbana community. He was generous in giving back to it through donations and public service, including providing free legal representation to people in need. He was also a longtime supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

    An active Republican, Brian served as a precinct committeeman and loved talking politics with anyone who was willing. He was a frequent guest on "Penny for your Thoughts."

    A lifelong sports fan, Brian bled Illini Orange and Blue and was always happy supporting Chicago's sports teams. His beloved Cubs often disappointed him, but he never lost his enthusiasm for every one of their games. He often joked that being a Cubs fan prepared him to be a public defender because he was used to losing.

    Despite his disabilities in later life, Brian was a model of courage and determination, continuing to be an active part of the legal community.

    Underneath his sometimes misunderstood exterior, at the end of the day his friends and family would tell you that his heart and loyalty were unparalleled.

  • November 21, 2011 | People
    Hugh A. Strickland 1931-2011

    Hugh A. Strickland, 80, died on Oct. 26, 2011, at the Jerseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a lengthy illness.

    Born May 3, 1931, in Rockford, Ill., he was the son of the late Marie Elmer Johnson and Hugh A. Strickland.

    Mr. Strickland graduated from Senn High School in Chicago and received a bachelor's degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. While at Knox, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He graduated in 1953. He received his JD from the Chicago Kent College of Law in 1959. He was a U.S. Army Veteran during the Korean Conflict and served from 1953 to 1955.

    Mr. Strickland was a partner in the law firm McDonald, Strickland & Clough in Carrollton until his recent retirement. He was certified by the Illinois Bar Association in 1960. He was a charter member of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Greene County Bar Association, the Southwestern Bar Association, the Illinois Defense Counsel and the Defense Research Institute. He was very civic-minded, serving on the Greene County Welfare Services Committee and the Illinois Heart Association Board. He was also a trustee and past president of the Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital, and past president and member of the Long Lake Association in Vilas County, Wis. He was a member of the Elks, Westlake Country Club in Jerseyville and the Big Sand Lake Club in Phelps, Wis.

    He married the former Donna McDonald on Aug. 11, 1956, in Carrollton. She survives him.

  • November 9, 2011 | People
    Leroy A. Ufkes, 1923-2011

    Attorney LeRoy A. Ufkes, 88, of Carthage died at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Ill.

    He was born Sept. 8, 1923, in Bear Creek Township, Hancock County, Ill., the son of Fred J. and Tena M. Johnson Ufkes. On Dec. 28, 1956, he married Joan Aleshire at St. Paul Catholic Church in Macomb, Ill.

    He attended Basco High School for three years, graduating from Carthage High School in 1940. He received his bachelor's degree from Carthage College in Carthage, Ill. He attended Texas Tech College in Lubbock, Texas, and Louisiana State University in engineering and received his Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Iowa Law School in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1950.

    He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in Italy in World War II.

    He served on numerous state commissions including the Commission for the Status of Women, Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and Illinois Court of Claims. He was Special Assistant Attorney General for more than 10 years with the state of Illinois, served an interim term in the Illinois state Legislature, was a member of Hancock County Bar Association, an Illinois delegate for numerous Republican National Conventions, and director of the boards of Farmers State Bank of Ferris, Union Bank of Carthage and Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home. He was a charter member of the Carthage VFW.

  • November 9, 2011 | People
    Ralph J. Coletta 1921-2011

    Ralph J. Coletta, 89, of Peoria died at 5:25 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011, at Methodist Medical Center.

    Born Dec. 13, 1921, in Chillicothe to Cesidio and Assunta Aromatario Coletta, he married Ethel Mary Meyers Nov. 19, 1949, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Peoria. She survives.

    Also surviving are four daughters and two sons, Jeanie Caskey (Barry Stortz) and Michele (Dan) Smith and Robert (Valencia) Coletta, all of Peoria, Marianne (Pete) Hoener of Austin, Texas, Suzanne (Vince) Kennedy of Barrington, and Joseph (Debra) of Highland Park; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

    One daughter, Renee Joers; one brother, John; and one grandson; preceded him in death.

    He was a World War II Army veteran, a graduate of the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga., and was commissioned as a second and first lieutenant of Infantry. He served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. After the Japanese surrendered, he served with the United States Army of Occupation in Japan as an Intelligence officer with the general headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur as a Japanese language interpreter. He also served the Fifth Army headquarters General Courts-Martial at Fort Sheridan, Ill., and as a reserve officer in 1948-49.

    He was a graduate of Chillicothe Grade School; Peoria High School; earned a bachelor’s degree from Bradley Polytechnic Institute, now Bradley University; and earned his doctorate in law from the University of Chicago Law School in 1949 after military service and passed his bar examination in that year.

  • November 1, 2011 | People
    McLean County Bar Association kicks off new mentoring program

    On Wednesday, October 5, the McLean County Bar Association Mentoring Program held an orientation for its first class of new lawyers and mentors. The MCBA Mentoring Program was created to pair attorneys new to the practice with those more experienced in order to supplement their legal education with practical advice and counseling. The program has been approved by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (www.ilsccp.org). 

    The Mentoring Committee accepts mentor and mentee applications and personally matches each pair based on their qualifications. Mentoring relationships last one year and encompass a wide variety of personal topics including legal ethics, civility, and wellness, and professional topics such as law practice management and effective client communication. Both mentors and mentees who complete the requirements of the program will receive six hours of ethics CLE credit. The program was able to match nine new lawyers with experienced attorneys in the county.  This represents a participation rate of well over 50 percent. The MCBA anticipates a successful year ahead and thanks its mentors and new lawyers for their participation and enthusiasm.