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Northern Illinois

  • September 23, 2013 | People
    Hon. C. Howard Wampler 1933-2013

    Judge C. Howard Wampler, 79, of Wyanet passed away Sept. 4, 2013, in Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton.

    He was born Dec. 13, 1933, in Bloomington to Calvin and Dorothy (Williams) Wampler. Howard married Diane Pierson on Dec. 30, 1966, in Joliet.

    He moved with his family to Wyanet when he was in the second grade. Howard graduated from Wyanet High School in 1951 and went on to college at Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1955.

    He then received his law degree from the University of Illinois.

    He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961. Following his service he practiced law in Bureau County becoming state’s attorney from 1964 to 1968 and acting as a public defender in 1970. In 1971, he became a magistrate and an associate circuit judge.

    Then in 1974 he was appointed circuit judge until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1993.

    His various memberships include chairman of Region 8 of the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission, Illinois Judges Association, representing the Wyanet Fire Protection District, a life member of the Elks Club, dual member of Masonic Lodge No. 722 A.F. and A.M. in Walnut and No. 249 in Sebring, Fla., and he was involved with the Shriners organization.
    Howard was of the Christian faith and associated with First Lutheran Church in Princeton.

    1 comment (Most recent October 10, 2013)
  • August 28, 2013 | People
    Ted E. Killingsworth 1922-2013

    Ted E. Killingsworth, 91 of Rockford died Friday, July 26, 2013 in his home. Born June 28, 1922 in Ellenton, South Carolina, the son of Ted and Bertha Killingsworth.

    He was an engineering graduate at Clemson University where he was a student council president and sang in the school musicals. Ted was a captain in the Air Force during World War II serving in the Philippines. Upon discharge he attended the University of Utah Law School. After working in the patent department in Washington, DC he joined a patent law firm (Intellectual Property) in Chicago until he joined Sundstrand Corporation in 1974 as their patent counsel and remained there until his retirement at age 70.

    He loved his family and playing golf at Forest Hills Country Club. He served on committees at Court Street United Methodist Church and Wesley Willows Retirement Home.

    Survivors include his wife, Jean of Rockford; children, Patrick (Patty) Killingsworth, John (Leslie) Munger, Margaret Killingsworth and Joan (Tim) Camper all of whom loved and respected him. He also leaves behind his six fabulous grandsons, Matt, Tom, Andy, Tim, Ted and Grant who adored him in return. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Leo and Alan.

    In lieu of flowers memorials to Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund.

  • August 21, 2013 | People
    Lori Ann O'Brien 1960-2013

    Lori Ann (Parrovecchio) O’Brien, 53, passed away peacefully at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 in her home with her family and friends. Born July 21, 1960 in Rockford the daughter of Tony and Josephine Parrovecchio.

    She was a graduate of Boylan Catholic High School class of 1978 and the University of Nevada Las Vegas with honors in 1994. Lori went on to receive her Juris Doctor in 1997 from Northern Illinois University College of Law.

    She married her loving husband, Pat O’Brien on September 17,1988 in Las Vegas. She had previously worked for the City of Rockford in the City Attorney’s office and until recently worked as an assistant State’s Attorney for Boone County. She was a member of the Nevada and Illinois State Bar Association, enjoyed crocheting, reading, music and was an avid sports fan, especially fond of the Chicago Bears.

    Lori loved living and vacationing in Las Vegas and spent much of her free time there. She was a wonderful and caring person with a beautiful smile that always brightened your day, she will be missed greatly by all. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice and to Lori’s wonderful and caring friends and associates that stopped by to visit with her.

    1 comment (Most recent August 27, 2013)
  • July 15, 2013 | People
    Glenn R. Clausen 1939-2013

    It is with great sorrow that the family of Glenn R. Clausen, aged 73, of Libertyville, Illinois, has announced his passing at the Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center in Glenview, Illinois.

    He was the beloved husband of Leslie Reisa Clausen, caring father of Richard (Nadine) Clausen and Rebecca (James) Hogan, and doting grandfather of Joshua Robert, Michael Glenn, and Reisa Rose. Born in Chicago 72 years ago, he was predeceased by his parents the late Nels and the late Julia (nee Collins) Clausen and also leaves behind a sister Mary (Roger) Woolsey and three nephews.

    Glenn earned his BA in English/Journalism cum laude at St Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He began practice in Decatur and then moved on to open Clausen and Katz, Attorneys at Law in Chicago. He later became a partner in the law firm of Geo-Karis, Thompson and Clausen of Zion and finally opened the Law Offices of Glenn R. Clausen in Waukegan.

    He was also a Veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the JAG (Judge Advocate’s General) Unit. An active member of the YMCA Indian Princess/Indian Guides (Ponca Tribe) he enjoyed every minute spent with his children and friends, while also holding office in the Mundelein Jaycees, and membership in the Illinois State Bar Association and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

  • June 27, 2013 | ISBA News
    Bernard H. Shapiro awarded Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award

    Honored in recognition of his commitment to equal justice and exemplary career as a civil legal services attorney

    By Wendy Vaughn, Clinical Assistant Professor,
    NIU College of Law, Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic

    During its 137th Annual Meeting, the Illinois State Bar Association awarded Bernard H. Shapiro with the Joseph R. Bartylak Memorial Legal Services Award at award luncheon on June 21, 2013.  For the last 35 years, Bernard H. Shapiro (Bernie) has dedicated his legal career and devoted his considerable intellect and legal acumen to meeting the basic needs of residents of Northern Illinois in his role as attorney, mentor, advocate, trainer, and Director of Litigation at Prairie State Legal Services (Prairie State). 

    In her nomination letter, Sarah Megan, who also serves as Director of Litigation at Prairie State, writes that Bernie is “the lynchpin of our legal aid program,” “the soul of our organization,” and “a role model for not only all our staff, but for all legal aid staff.” Ms. Megan explains that Bernie’s fellow attorneys “rely on his superb legal analysis and strategy as well as his pragmatic problem solving skill.  We learn from his example of excellence; always focused on achieving our clients’ goals, providing our clients the highest caliber legal services in a most compassionate and respectful way.”

  • June 25, 2013 | People
    Retired Justice John L. Nickels 1931-2013

    John L. Nickels was raised on a dairy farm in rural Illinois, started his education in a one-room country schoolhouse at the age of four and rose to become a Justice on the Illinois Supreme Court.

    Justice Nickels passed away in the company of his family on Monday after a long illness. He had served on Illinois’ highest court from December 1992 to his retirement in December 1998, earning a reputation as a quiet, private man but one who was unafraid to express his fidelity to fundamental beliefs and to call out publicly those he felt had abused their trust. Justice Nickels was 82.

    "He was a gentle and most hospitable man," Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said. "He carried a wealth of compassion and internal resolve to bring out the best in all of us -- to be respectful professionals. He was a real role model and epitomized that it was quite acceptable 'to agree to disagree.' "

    1 comment (Most recent June 28, 2013)
  • June 13, 2013 | People
    William Wimbiscus Jr. 1926-2013

    William James Wimbiscus Jr., 86, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

    Born Aug. 29, 1926, to Judge William J. and Mae (Walsh) Wimbiscus of Spring Valley, he married Eleanor Bruder Sept. 24, 1955. She survives.

    He was a 1944 graduate of St. Bede Academy and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree in law, he then earned a juris doctor in law from DePaul University College of Law in 1951, passing the Illinois State Bar exam while still a student. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois in 1951, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 and the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit in 1981.

    He joined his father, Judge William J. Wimbiscus Sr., at the Wimbiscus Law Firm in 1951. The firm was established in 1917 and continues to this day. He also served as Spring Valley City Attorney from 1965 to 1981 and DePue Village Attorney from 1975 to 2010.

    He was a member of Illinois State Bar Association, past president and member of Bureau County Bar Association and a member of LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Bar Association. He was a member and past president of St. Margaret’s Hospital Board of Directors, as well as a member of Hall Township High School Education Foundation, Prairieland Home Care Advisory Committee and Dominic O’Berto Post 182 of the American Legion. He donated legal services to many community and civic organizations.

    Also surviving are six children, John (SangHui), Sarah, Bill (Sara), Tom (Maureen), Neal and Mary (Phillip) Telfer; one brother, Judge James (Jude) Wimbiscus; one sister, Jane Johnson; 11 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

  • May 9, 2013 | People
    Julius Lytton 1913-2013

    Julius M. Lytton, 99, of East Moline, passed away Wednesday April 24, 2013, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline.

    Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Temple Emanuel, Davenport. Burial will be at Tri-City Jewish Cemetery, Davenport. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Emanuel, Davenport. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island.

    Julius was born Aug. 10, 1913, in Chicago, a son of Morris and Minnie Friedman Litvin. He graduated from DePaul University Law School in 1935.

    He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

    Julius married Beverly J. Stewart on Feb. 4, 1940, in Chicago. She preceded him in death Oct. 26, 2003.

    Julius practiced law in Chicago before moving to the Quad-Cities in 1947. He practiced law locally until 2005, when he retired at the age of 92.

    Julius was a member of Temple Emanuel, Davenport, American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Rock Island County Bar Association and East Moline Rotary Club.

    Surviving are his son, Tom Lytton and his wife Mary Lind, of Moline; and one granddaughter, Emilie Lytton, and her husband Brian Dout, University City, Mo. Julius was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers, Daniel Litvin and Albert Litvin.

  • April 30, 2013 | Events
    Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice to hold listening conference at NIU Law

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride and Justice Robert R. Thomas, McHenry County Chief Judge Michael J. Sullivan, and NIU Law Dean Jennifer L. Rosato cordially invite you to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice Listening Conference. The conference will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at the Northern Illinois University College of Law (DeKalb, IL) in the Riley Courtroom (Room #170). 

    The purpose of this conference is to hear from people engaged in the judicial system about problems confronting the poor and vulnerable in our communities and to hear about possible solutions.

    Additional speakers/panelists for the conference includeJustice Mary S. Schostok (2nd Judicial District), Patrick M. Kinnally (MCLE Board/Kane County Bar Association), Michele Meyer (Mutual Ground), Mike O’Connor (Prairie State Legal Services), Professor David H. Taylor (NIU College of Law), and Michelle Rock (Director of Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice).

  • April 24, 2013 | People
    Joseph F. Beatty 1948-2013

    Retired Circuit Court Judge, Joseph F. Beatty, 64, of Rock Island, died Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

    Joseph Frank Beatty was born Nov. 10, 1948 in Rock Island, a son of Russell and Helen Just Beatty. He married Jacqueline Spala on May 15, 1976 in St. Louis.

    He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1966 and from St. Ambrose College in 1970. Judge Beatty received his Juris Doctor from St. Louis University Law School in 1973 and did additional course work at the National Judicial College, Reno, Nev. He was licensed to practice law in Missouri in 1974 and in Illinois in 1978. Judge Beatty was elected a Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in 1983 and retired from the bench on Dec. 31, 2007.

    Judge Beatty was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island, a member of the Board of Trinity Regional Health System, Alternatives for Older Adults, Quad Cities Youth Build and Prairie State Legal Services. He was also a member of the Rock Island Kiwanis Club, and served ten years as a coach or assistant coach with A.S.A. Girls Softball. He loved baseball and was a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

    Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela (Richard) Hostetler, Shreveport, La, Helen Elizabeth “Beth” Beatty (Eric Alvine), Chicago, and Emily Beatty, Chicago; grandsons, Drew and Dillon Hostetler; sisters, Sandra (Bill) Coopman, Moline and Sharon (Charles) Killion, Springfield, Ohio; brother, Daniel (Karen) Beatty, St. Anne, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.