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Obituaries

  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Robert R. Nelson 1930-2013

    Robert R. Nelson, 82, of Elmhurst, passed away on April 19, 2013.

    Raised in Chicago (Andersonville), attended Amundsen H.S. Graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana (B.S. '53, J.D. '58).

    Captain USAF Reserve (Ret). Life Member DuPage County Bar Association, former member ISBA and ABA. Life Member Elmhurst Lodge #941 AF&A, Medinah Temple, Scottish Rite, DuPage Shrine Club. Former Alderman (7th Ward), City of Elmhurst, Precinct Committeeman, Member and Chairman DuPage County Sheriff's Merit Commission and President, Illinois Board of Sheriffs Merit Commissions. Member Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, former member St. Peter's U.C.C.

    A loving father active in all manner of sports (Boy's Football, Little League) and youth activities (Indian Guides, Boy Scouts). A life long Illini fan and member of the U of I Foundation President's Council. Avid Packer Backer (and shareholder), fisherman, and bridge player. In summation before the Highest Court, a long life well led. May he rest his case in eternal peace.

    Beloved husband for 59 years of Doreen (nee Soukup), proud father of Ronald (Elizabeth) and Kenneth (Julia), grandfather of Heidi, Alicia, and Trevor.

  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Christopher M. Kanis 1971-2013

    Chris Kanis, 41, of Savoy, IL died on March 21, 2013 of a heart attack while on a cruise with his wife of 9 years, Laura Steigmann Kanis.

    Chris was an assistant states attorney for Champaign County since 2005. Prior to that he worked for the law firms Thomas Mamer & Haughey of Champaign and Wildman, Harold, Allen & Dixon in Chicago. He also clerked for IL Supreme Court Justice Judge James Heiple. Chris was a graduate of Palatine High School '90, Notre Dame University '94 and DePaul University Law School '97.

    Chris is survived by his parents Michael (Ellie) Kanis of Palatine, Michelle (Bill) Hudson of Elgin, his sister Kathleen (Luke) Williams and their children King, Patrick, Matthew and Isabel of Madison, WI. Step-brothers: COL William (Mae) Hibner of Belleville, IL, Michael (Maryanne) Hibner of San Clemente, CA, Daniel Hibner of Phoenix, AZ and Mark (Kori) Hibner of Lake Zurich, Great-aunts Patricia Gasparo and Dorothy Kanis, many cousins, friends, colleagues and his in-laws Judge Robert and Sherry Steigmann of Urbana.

    Memorial services were held on March 29th at Mt. Hope Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel in Champaign, IL. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 1201 East Anderson Dr., Palatine, IL 60074, 847-358-6999. Please omit flowers.

  • May 20, 2013 | People
    George F. Dvorak 1924-2013

    George F. Dvorak of Indian Head Park, born February 21, 1924, passed away May 15, 2013. Beloved wife of Billye, nee Williams. Loving father of Randall Dvorak and Carol (Bill) Dvorak-Mola. Cherished grandfather of Brandon and Lauren.

    Mr. Dvorak was born in Chicago and raised in Cicero. Graduate of Morton High School, Electrical Engineer Program at Northwestern University, and The John Marshall Law School. Served in the US Navy Pacific Theater WWII and was commissioned from the US Naval Academy, Annapolis. He was a Patent Attorney for 53 years, 47 year member of the Union League Club, member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Bohemian Lawyers Association, and a Village of Westchester Police and Fire Commissioner for 18 years.

    Memorial services will be held at a later date. Entombment was in the Woodlawn Mausoleum, Forest Park. Arrangemnts by Woodlawn Funeral Home, Forest Park. Info. 708 442-8500 or www.woodlawnchicago.com.

  • May 16, 2013 | People
    Donald Ridge 1919-2013

    Donald Ridge, 94, of Sarasota, FL, died on Apr. 7, 2013.

    Donald was born and grew up in Chicago, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. He then went on to graduate from University of Chicago and Chicago School of Law. After serving as a Lieutenant in the US Infantry and being wounded, he was assigned to be a commandant of the Prisoner of War Camp in England.

    He is survived by his wife Imogene; children Scott (Nancy) and Ann (Greg) of Chicago; step-daughter Brooke Smith and step-granddaughter Blair Ault of Houston, TX.

  • May 9, 2013 | People
    Mari-Jo Jacquette 1965-2013

    Mari-Jo Jacquette, 47, of Waukegan passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2013. She was born on June 17, 1965. She was married on August 12, 1988 to Thomas (TJ) Jacquette at the Old St. Patrick's Church in Wadsworth.

    Mari-Jo Jacquette attended Marquette University Law School and graduated in 1995, Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Bar in 1995 and practiced family law in Waukegan. She was a member of the Lake County, Illinois and Wisconsin State Bar Associations. She was a member of the Family Law Section of the Lake County Bar Association, a member of the Judicial Selection and Retention Committee of the Lake County Bar Association and past treasurer and president of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.

    She worked passionately representing children and protecting their rights. Mari-Jo also belonged to the Lithuanian Historical Cultural Society located in Chicago, Illinois and was proud of her heritage. She enjoyed spending time hunting mushrooms, picking berries, and fishing at her Wisconsin home with her family and friends.

    She is survived by her husband, Thomas; her sons, Frank Matthew, and Walter Joseph, and her canine companion, Tessie. She is also survived by her extended family.

    She is preceded in death by her father, Walter J. Bukantis; her mother, Betty Mae Bukantis (nee Fischer), and her great-niece, Rebecca Boice.

    In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials to St. Raphael the Arc Angel Church in Millburn, IL, Prairie State Legal Services or a Safe Place.

  • 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 29, 2013 | People
    Stephen E. Walter 1947-2013

    Stephen E. Walter, 65, was born October 14, 1947 in Evergreen Park, IL and died April 14, 2013 at Condell Medical Center, Libertyville.

    He achieved the Bronze Tablet from the University of Illinois and was a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law. He was a public defender in Lake County, IL. He had a private practice before becoming a Judge in 1985 until 2006 when he retired. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. After retirement he then practiced law as a part time mediator and arbitrator and enjoyed spending time with his family. Steve loved sports and was a diehard Chicago White Sox fan.

    He is survived by his loving wife Claudia (nee Fiore), proud father of Matthew (fiancee Caroline) Walter, Mia Walter, John Walter and Sarah Walter, his sister Linda Olen and his canine companions Spencer and Missy.

    In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Catholic Charities 2050 Ballenger Ave Suite 400 Alexandria, VA 22314 or Lake County Bar Foundation 415 Washington St. Waukegan, IL 60085.

    For information visit www.kristanfuneralhome.com or call 847-566-8020.

  • April 28, 2013 | People
    Former Chief Justice Moses W. Harrison II 1932-2013

    Chief Justice Moses W. Harrison II was a judge and a gentleman. Most of all, he was a friend and a champion of ordinary people. Chief Justice Harrison passed away Thursday, April 25, after a long illness. He was 81.

    "My former colleague, friend and mentor Chief Justice Harrison will be remembered as a prominent judge in Illinois legal history not because he was a great man, but because he never lost sight of the common man," said Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride "His commitment to equality and fairness went well beyond his simple, succinct, yet superlative opinions. He treated all people in all stations in life with the same kindness, dignity and respect. That fundamental decency guided his work as a judge, and his work guided Illinois law.

    "Illinois is a sadder place today because of his death, but it will forever be a better place because of his life."

    Justice Harrison was a member of the Illinois judiciary for 29 years; a member of the Illinois Supreme Court for 10 years; and Chief Justice from Jan. 1, 2000 to September 5, 2002, when he retired. His legacy is quite larger.

    A Chicago Tribune profile in 1999 described him as "a gentleman rebel, a distinctly gracious man whose convictions are firm and manners mild."

    During his tenure on the Supreme Court, he was most known and honored for demonstrating a commitment to justice and human welfare, writing—either for the majority or in dissent—to defend the poor, the weak, the young and the elderly against corporate or government policies which went against their interests.

  • 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.

  • April 18, 2013 | People
    Robert C. Howard 1942-2013

    Attorney Robert Howard was called one of “the lawyers who reformed Chicago.”

    Mr. Howard used the law to fight police spying, help desegregate schools, and empower African-American police officers. He also campaigned for the election of two African-American “firsts”: Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and President Barack Obama.

    Political consultant Don Rose included Mr. Howard among the “The Lawyers Who Reformed Chicago” in a 2011 analysis he wrote for www.theweekbehind.com. Mr. Howard and two other attorneys filed suit around 1974 to investigate illegal police spying in what became known as the “Red Squad” case.

    During the late 1960s and early 1970s, opposition to the Vietnam War — and the push for civil rights and other causes — created a cultural upheaval. Some Chicago Police officers infiltrated groups that were deemed subversive, but often were composed of social-justice activists or organizations unfriendly to Mayor Richard J. Daley. The police intelligence squad — known as the Red Squad — amassed thousands of files on people and associations. Sometimes, the squad used rumors to try to destabilize so-called anti-establishment groups. Surveillance targets included author Studs Terkel; Aldermen Leon Despres and Dick Simpson; Dr. Quentin Young, the head of medicine at Cook County Hospital; Chicago Defender Publisher John Sengstacke; Clergy and Laity Concerned; the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago; the Organization for a Better Austin, and Operation PUSH.