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Obituaries

  • March 19, 2013 | People
    E. Michael O'Brien 1930-2013

    Judge E. Michael O'Brien, 82, of Peoria passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

    Eugene Michael O'Brien was born in St. Joseph, Mo., on Nov. 22, 1930, to Evelyn (Hitt) and Eugene O'Brien. He married Terry Reynolds on July 28, 1979. She survives.

    He also is survived by his children, Mary (Rich) Washelesky of Northbrook, Ill., Michelle (Charlie) Middleton of San Diego, Calif., Erin (Tom) Maloney of Peoria, Conor O'Brien of Chicago, Ill., Michael O'Brien of Springfield, Ill., Matt (Jennifer) O'Brien of Springfield, Ill., Dr. Amy O'Brien-Ladner of Kansas, Kathryn O'Brien of Kansas, Bridget Moreland of Kansas and Mary Adams of California; and 25 grandchildren. He also is survived by his mother- and father-in-law, Victor and Lucille Reynolds.

    He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

    In 1953, he entered the U.S. Navy flight training program and served as an aviator until 1958, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander, and then entered the U.S. Navy Reserve flying program at U.S. NAS Glenview, Ill. He served as LTJG of Patrol Squadron Six, VP-6 Blue Sharks during the Korean War. During his military service he received Navy Commendation, the China Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

    He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1961.

    He worked as assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois from 1961 until 1964. He was with the U.S. District Attorney's office until 1966 and then was an assistant state's attorney for the state of Illinois from 1966 until 1969.

  • March 19, 2013 | People
    Robert B. Baal 1946-2013

    Robert B. Baal, 66, former partner with Baal & O'Connor Law Firm in Chicago. Bob was an alumnus of Leo H.S. (1964), Xavier U. (1968) and DePaul U. School of Law (1973).

    He was the beloved husband of Patricia (nee Cooke) for 43 years. Loving father of Anne (Joe) Linnen, Kathryn Baal and Mary Beth (Matt) O'Mara. Proud grandpa of Liam Patrick and Colin Robert. Dear brother of Jane (Dan) McWeeny. Fond brother-in-law of Maureen (Mike) Schmidt, Dr. William Cooke and Mary Jo (Nolan) Small. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.

    Memorials to Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center/Kidney Research Northwestern University Office of Development 750 N. Lake Shore Dr./9th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 or Christ the King School Foundation are most appreciated. 708-636-5500 or heeneyfh.com.

  • March 14, 2013 | People
    Hon. Roger William Eichmeier 1932-2013

    Former ISBA Board member the Hon. Roger William Eichmeier passed away in Chandler, AZ, on March 2, 2013. He was born on May 15, 1932, in Freeport, IL, to Charles Simon and Lee Nampel Eichmeier. 

    He graduated cum laude from Depauw University, Greencastle, IN. He was the president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern Law School, Chicago and wrote for the Law Review.

    In 1957, Roger and his family moved to Aurora, IL. He joined the law firm of Matthews, Jordan, Dean, and Peterson where he practiced law for many years. He was appointed an associate judge of the Kane County 16th Judiciary Circuit in 1987 until his retirement in 2000. He loved the law and was on the Board of Governors for the Illinois State Bar Association.

    He was active in Aurora as an elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a member of the Lion's Club. He spent hours on swimming pool decks refereeing his children's competitive swimming meets.

    Roger retired to Galena, IL, where he enjoyed horseback riding and his dogs. He served as president of the Galena Territory HOA and chaired the legal and bylaws committee.

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  • March 12, 2013 | People
    Daniel Jamieson Schifeling 1923-2013

    Daniel Jamieson Schifeling died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, in his home with family. Dan was born Feb. 16, 1923, to Lois Jean and Walter Schifeling in Peoria.

    After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army and became a B-24 Pilot. He married Anna Lee Leech May 21, 1944. They had hoped to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary next year.

    When the war concluded, Dan and Anna Lee returned to Illinois, where Dan completed his education, graduating from the University of Illinois Law School in 1949. Dan and Anna Lee then settled in St. Charles to create a solo practice of law and raise three sons. During this time, Dan was the first chair trumpet player and an active supporter of the Aurora American Legion Band. He also developed a love of photography. For years he taught an adult Bible study class at the Congregational United Church of Christ.

  • March 12, 2013 | People
    Hon. Jerome T. Burke 1936-2013

    Hon. Jerome T. Burke (Ret.) passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 27, 2013.

    Jerry Burke grew up on Chicago's North Side in the Rogers Park neighborhood where he attended Hardy Prep and Loyola Academy. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1958 and received his law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law in 1964.

    He was an attorney with the law firm Arvey, Hodes before going on the bench in 1973. He served as a Cook County Circuit Court judge until he retired in 1998. After leaving the bench, Jerry Burke was of counsel to McGuireWoods and a member of Resolute Systems.

    Jerry Burke was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. His passions included following Notre Dame football, the Chicago Cubs, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was an avid history buff, with a special interest in electric interurban railroads. He loved bicycling, as well as spending time with his grandchildren.

    He performed countless weddings for many couples over the years. Jerry Burke was a published author and proud of his book "Black Point" which was set in Lake Geneva, WI, where he spent his boyhood summers.

    Jerry Burke was a former Barrington resident and lived for the last 25 years in Elgin. He will be missed by his many friends and family who were touched by his compassion, generosity, humor, and love. 

  • March 12, 2013 | People
    Roger Reno 1924-2013

    Roger Reno, 88, of Rockford, a local attorney and former chairman of AMCORE financial died on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, in his home with his family by his side.

    Born May 16, 1924, in Rockford; the son of Guy B. and Hazel (Kinnear) Reno, longtime Rockford residents. His father practiced law for 55 years and in 1923 founded the firm now known as Reno & Zahm.

    Roger attended Rockford schools, Garrison, Roosevelt, and West, which are all now closed. Roger stated that he'd seen many changes in his lifetime, and "I've been against every one of them." This decision did not include his marriage on May 17, 1952, to Janice Marie Odelius, nor the birth of their children, Susan, Sheri (David) Rudolph, and Michael.

    Following his graduation from West High, he started college at Carleton College (Minn.) where he spent one term, and then in January 1943, volunteered in the Air Force, being discharged as a First Lieutenant in March 1946, in order to re-enter Carelton where he graduated in 1947. During his service he spent one year at Kenyon College (Ohio) as a cadet in the meteorology program, and when that was dismantled, was assigned to the electrical communications school at Yale University (Conn.) There he received his commission and was assigned to engage in installation of instrument landing equipment.

  • March 7, 2013 | People
    James R. Fabrizio 1949-2013

    James Rocco Fabrizio, 63, was laid to rest Sunday, February 17, 2013 at Emeritus Courtyard of Joliet. Born in Chicago to the late Vincent and Eileen (nee Doyle) Fabrizio, living in Joliet since 1977.

    Mr. Fabrizio was partner of Fabrizio, Hanson, Peyla and Kawinski Law Firm for the past 30 plus years. Graduate of the University of Illinois and Chicago-Kent College of Law. Member of the Will County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Illinois Defense Counsel, Defense Research and Trial Lawyers Association. He was an avid Chicago White Sox fan.

    Surviving are his loving wife of 10 years, Leslie (nee Maxwell) Fabrizio of Shorewood; three children, Vincent (Erin) Fabrizio of Lombard, Dana (Chris) Patera of Chicago and Michael Fabrizio of Joliet; his grandson, Julius James Fabrizio; one sister, Judith (Charles) Hamilton of Batavia; one brother, Robert (Shelley) Fabrizio of Wilmette; his brother-in-law, James Norka of Homer Glen; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Jean Norka.

  • March 7, 2013 | People
    Dawn Clark Netsch 1926-2013

    Former Illinois Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, who spent 18 years serving in the state senate and was the first woman to run on a major ticket for governor in Illinois, died Tuesday. She was 86.

    Netsch's former chief of staff and longtime friend Wendy Cohen said Netsch died early Tuesday. Netsch said in January that she had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, a fatal nerve disorder.

    "It's a tough one," the 86-year-old Democrat said at the time. But she said she revealed her diagnosis to draw attention to the disease.

    "Might get more people thinking about what is ALS," she said. "I'm going to be straight about this also."

    Netsch spent 18 years serving in the state senate and was the first woman to run on a major ticket for governor in Illinois. The Democrat was known for her directness during her more than six decades in Illinois politics. She served as an adviser to Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner Jr., helped rewrite the Illinois Constitution in 1970 and was elected state comptroller in 1990.

    During her tenure in the Illinois Senate, she was known as an expert in state finances, argued against the death penalty and sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment.

    She ran for governor in 1994, losing to Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Edgar.

  • February 27, 2013 | People
    Dwight Franklin Bickel 1931-2013

    Dwight Franklin Bickel, 81, passed away on January 16, 2013, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz., following a recent illness. He was born February 1, 1931, to former mayor Melvin J. Bickel and Ethel M. (Hackley) Bickel in Trilla, Ill. Dwight grew up in Trilla and Charleston, Ill., where he married Barbara Carrolyn Alexander in 1949; they had two children, and later divorced. He married Cynthia (Gross) Petrie of Emmett, Idaho, in 1969, and they had a son together.

    Dwight began college at the University of Michigan, served in the Air Force during the Korean war, then attended the University of Illinois where he earned his B.S. degree, 1955, followed by his Juris Doctor degree, 1957. After completing his education, he began practicing as a lawyer in Charleston. In 1958 he and his family moved to Boise, Idaho, where he served as Idaho's Assistant Attorney General from 1959-1963, and started a private law practice that he continued for the rest of his life.

  • February 27, 2013 | People
    Franklin Sherwood Wallace 1927-2013

    Long-time Rock Island resident Franklin Sherwood Wallace, 85, a prominent attorney and larger-than-life character, died peacefully Friday night, February 1, 2013, in Dayton, Ohio after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri City Jewish Center, Rock Island. Burial is at the Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Frank Wallace Memorial Fund at U.S. Bank. The money will be given to groups working to inspire the love of art and music in children and to a local animal shelter.