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Obituaries

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Hon. Albert Green 1924-2013

    Judge Albert Green, age 88, of Chicago. Retired Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, former Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division, and World War II Veteran, passed away on Jan. 8, 2013.

    Beloved husband for the last seven years of Celia "Ceci" (nee Jones), Fitzsimmons Green and, for 52 years prior, the late Virginia Bucko, with whom he was a devoted father of Valerie, Michael, Gregory (Valerie), Jonathan (Monica) and the late Vanessa; loving grandfather of Timothy (Jacklyn); adoring great-grandfather of David and Audri; loving step-father of the Fitzsimmons children, Kathy (Carl), Cindy (Steven), Charlotte (Mark) and Kelly (Ruth); cherished by the numerous Fitzsimmons grandchildren and great-grandchildren; dear son of the late Isadore and Sylvia; brother of the late Robert (Anastasia) and nephew to the late Philip (Joan); fond uncle of Daniel and Mary Breaux, Dr. Nicholas and Christine Schlageter; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who miss him dearly.

    Donations in Judge Green's memory may be made to Little City Foundation, home to his daughter Valerie and son Michael, 1760 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL, 60067, would be greatly appreciated www.weinsteinfuneralhomes.com.

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Lloyd Milton McClure 1914-2012

    Lloyd Milton McClure, 98, of Beardstown, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

    He was born in Beardstown on Dec. 27, 1914, the son of Lloyd Milton and Beulah A. Glendinning McClure. He married Margaret J. Steadman on Feb. 29, 1940, and she preceded him in death in 1993.

    He is survived by two sons, Lloyd Milton (wife, Suzanne) McClure and George Steadman (wife, Wyllia) McClure, both of Beardstown; one brother, James E. McClure of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

    He graduated from Beardstown High School with the class of 1932; he attended Severn School, Marion Military Institute, and graduated from University of Illinois and the College of Law of the University of Illinois in 1939. At the time of his retirement in 1981, he was senior partner in the law firm of McClure, Brannan and Hardwick founded in 1883 by his grandfather, Milton McClure. He was state's attorney of Cass County for 12 years and served as an assistant attorney general and as city attorney for the City of Beardstown for many years.

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Allen J. Oehlert 1947-2012

    Beloved husband, dad, grandpa, Allen J. Oehlert, JD, 65, of Chatham, died December 30, 2012 at his home. He was born June 3, 1947 in Melrose Park, IL to Walter J. and Dorothy Welch Oehlert. He married Sara Lamos on June 5, 1971, was a devoted and loving husband, and she survives. He was preceded in death by his parents.

    Survivors include his wife, Sara; he was a great dad to four children, Matthew (Amie) Oehlert of Denver, CO, Elizabeth (Vladimir) Avila of Chicago, Emily (Aaron) Dufrene of Buffalo, NY and Katherine (Phillip) Galloway of Springfield; he was a doting, loving grandpa to seven grandchildren, Marcelina, Gus and Amelia Oehlert, Lucas Avila, Finn and Sophia Dufrene and Seraphina Galloway; brother-in-law, Mark (Jerry Jones) Lamos of Sherman, CT; and his beloved dogs, Burt and Madison. He was a caring, giving man, a true and loyal friend. He lived life to the fullest, loved to laugh and his family was his greatest treasure.

  • January 28, 2013 | People
    Thomas M. Schmidt 1952-2012

    Thomas "Tom" M. Schmidt, 60, of Springfield died at 11:57 am Friday, December 14, 2012 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on December 8, 1952 in Melrose, MN to Frank and Clare Fergen Schmidt. He married Tina Saunderson. 

    He is survived by his wife Tina; two daughters, Elizabeth and Caroline Schmidt; mother, Clare Schmidt of Des Moines, IA; two sisters, Ann (Tom) Hamilton of Cape Coral, FL and Jill (Jim) Rodriguez of Des Moines, IA; two brothers, Mark Schmidt of Cape Coral, FL and Bob (Tami) Schmidt of Rochester, MN; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lisa (Charles Menard) Saunderson of Glen Ellyn, IL. 

    Tom was a devoted father to his beloved daughters and wonderful husband to Tina. He had a great fondness and respect for all of the partners and staff at the Livingstone, Mueller, O'Brien, and Davlin Law Firm and greatly enjoyed his 24 year career there. Before he joined the firm as a partner, Tom was Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Worker's Compensation for the State of Illinois. Prior to that, he served in the state's attorney's office in Rock Island, IL.

    Tom was very active at Blessed Sacrament Parish and School where he was a leader in capital campaigns for both. He served as Home School Association president, served on the School Board, and was a Eucharistic minister. 

    Tom earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Iowa. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

    He waged a valiant fight against cancer for the last five years.

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  • January 22, 2013 | People
    Gene Kwas 1922-2012

    Eugene Stanley Kwasniewski “Gene Kwas” died Nov. 16, 2012, in his home in Austin, Texas.

    Gene Kwas, to all who knew and loved him, was born Eugene Stanley Kwasniewski on Oct. 14, 1922, the middle of seven boys, to Joseph and Josephine Kwasniewski.

    Though he couldn’t speak English until second grade, athletic ability earned him many sports letters in Evanston Township High School. His strength was speed, breaking the 100-yard dash time in high school in under 10 seconds, bettering Jim Thorpe’s record. He attended a state dinner with the governor, unheard of for an immigrant’s son, and received a football scholarship to the University of Illinois. He did not become an opera singer, as encouraged by the choir mistress of Evanston HS Elite Concert Choir.

    World War II interrupted his sophomore year in college, sending him to the Air Force, a “90 day wonder,” drafted and “instantly” made an officer. A bombardier at age 19, he was taught how to fly a B-17 bomber, and was off to Bari, Italy.

    The War over, the decorated war veteran resumed his career as a football halfback hero, with a win against UCLA in the Rose Bowl of 1947. Playing poker nights, he was able to fund his law degree in 1950, then practiced law in Peru to be close to his college sweetheart. Gene married Lillian Marie Forcht in 1950, a happy 63-year union.

    Gene joined the FBI, assigned to San Mateo, Calif., where daughter Anne was born. He was a special agent for five years during the McCarthy era.

  • January 14, 2013 | People
    William P. Novick 1952-2012

    William Paul "Bill" Novick, 60, passed away at on Dec. 16 at his home.

    He was born Wednesday, July 23, 1952, in Carbondale, the son of William J. and Clara Ruth (Paul) Novick.

    Bill attended school in Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1968. He continued his college education by attending at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and later at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he received his Law degree.

    Most of his working career was with his law practice in Marion. He was in partnership with his father under the law firm name of Novick Law Office, until his father retired in 2011. The only time he practiced law outside of Marion was when he was a corporate attorney in Texas for three years.

    Bill was united in marriage to Paula Anne Cox on Friday, Nov. 16, 2001, in Marion, and together they have shared the last 11 years of mar-riage.

    He was of Baptist faith.

    In his spare time, he enjoyed barbequing and spending time with his many friends that meant a lot to him; playing the guitar and singing many of his own songs that he had written and he was an avid sports fan. He also will be remembered for the many donated hours of legal advice and work he did for those who had a need.

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Marvin S. Helfand 1936-2012

    Marvin S. Helfand, 76, attorney, world traveler and avid golfer passed away Dec. 21. He married Myrna, nee Resnik, in 1959.

    For 53 years, they loved each other and traveled the world - from Russia to China to Romania to Mexico. A trusted adviser and counselor to many, he retired after a long career as partner at Defrees & Fiske.

    He is survived by Myrna; daughters Lauren "Lori" Helfand (Frank Alkyer) and Cindy Helfand; granddaughter Sarah Alkyer; brother Joel (Anna) Helfand; sister-in-laws Sherry Azaria and Elayne (Phil) Dauber.

    In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marvin's name can be made to LUNGevity or American Cancer Society . Info Mitzvah Memorial Funerals 630-MITZVAH (648-9824), or WWW.MITZVAHFUNERALS.COM

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Charles E. Hussey II 1933-2012

    Former Wilmette resident Charles Hussey II died peacefully on Dec. 13 in Dover, NH. Mr. Hussey was born March 6, 1933, in Presque Isle, ME to Frank Washburn and Serena Wood Hussey.

    He graduated from the University of Maine, and the University of Chicago Law School and married Barbara Olson of Winnetka. Chuck practiced international tax law for over 40 years with McDermott, Will & Emery in Chicago, became Capital Partner and greatly expanded the role of the tax law practice as he developed new opportunities and started up offices for the firm in the US and throughout the world.

    Chuck was a devoted husband, father and outdoor enthusiast with a love for people and had infectious energy and personality. He is survived by his brother, Gorham of Calgary, Canada; sons, Tom of San Diego, CA, Jeff of Longmeadow, MA, and daughters, Melissa Snow of Rye, NH, and Jennifer of Hillsborough, NH.

    A family service was at the Winnetka Congregational Church on January 5 where he and Barbara were married in 1957. Chuck has donated to the Harvard Brain Bank for Parkinsons-Alzheimers research.

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Mary Teresa Schroeder 1954-2012

    Mary Teresa Schroeder, nee Balestri, 57, of Mascoutah, IL born Dec. 2, 1954 in LaSalle, IL, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville, TN.

    Mary was an attorney for the Schroeder and Schroeder Law Firm in Mascoutah for 32 years. During her years of service, Mary took a particular pride in ensuring the well-being of all her clients. She graduated in 1972 from LaSalle-Peru High School. Continuing her education she graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where she majored in history. She was in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 1980. She was a member of Holy Childhood Catholic Church, Holy Childhood Church Board, Mascoutah Lioness Club, Main Street Mascoutah and Mascoutah Chamber of Commerce. Serving all these organizations, Mary held many official capacities.

    She was preceded in death by her father Aldo J. Balestri, father-in-law, Meryl T. Schroeder, sister-in-law, Diane Balestri and a brother-in-law, Robert Connolly.

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Hon. Rosaland M. Crandell 1923-2012

    Rosaland M. Crandell, nee Guy, age 89, of Wilmette and most recently Lynwood, Illinois passed away peacefully on December 21, 2012.

    Rosaland was born on February 1, 1923 and, as a child, first lived with her mother in Hillsboro, Illinois, and then with relatives in Chester, England until 1939. Following her return to Illinois, she enlisted in the Navy WAVES, serving as an aviation machinist’s mate and torpedo inspector.

    After the war, Rosaland received a degree in chemistry from Northwestern University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1958. She was in private legal practice in Evanston for 23 years until her appointment as an Associate Judge of Cook County in 1982. Rosaland served on the bench until her retirement at age 75 in 1998.

    She also was the President of the Evanston Zonta Club and was active in the International’s activities and affairs. In her later years, she was a devoted grandmother, spending family vacations in Door County, and making Christmas a wonderful time of the year. Rosaland will be fondly remembered for her commitment to education, her generosity, her patriotism and her love for animals, especially her cats and dogs.

    She was the loving mother of Margaret Anne (Carl) Toren, Christopher William Crandell, and Catherine Elizabeth Crandell; dear grandmother of Daniel Chester Toren, Erica Rosaland Toren, Craig Benjamin Toren, Caroline Kate Toren, and Victoria Marie Crandell.