Frederick C. Leydig, 87, passed away April 17, 2012, at his home in Barrington with his wife of 62 years, Patricia, by his side.

Fred was born in Denver, Colo., and grew up in Detroit, Mich. He attended and was a proud alum of the Jesuit University of Detroit High School. In the midst of World War II, Fred earned his B.S. in chemical engineering (1945) from the Illinois Institute of Technology through the Navy's V-12 officer training program, was commissioned an ensign and served aboard the battleship USS New Jersey. While attending IIT, he earned varsity letters in tennis and basketball. As IIT's "giant" center, Fred played against such future basketball greats as George Mikan and Otto Graham.

Attending night school, Fred received his J.D. from DePaul Law School in 1950. He was employed in the patent department of Standard Oil Company and, in 1954, joined the intellectual property firm of Carlson, Pitzner, Hubbard & Wolf, which later came to bear his name: Leydig, Voit & Mayer Ltd. He became one of the nation's preeminent intellectual property attorneys. Testament to his leadership in the firm and renown as a lawyer, the firm continues to bear his name more than 20 years after his retirement.

Along the way, Fred was chairman of Young Republicans of Illinois (1953 - 55), president of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago (1980), president of the United Way of Arlington Heights (1965 - 66), and board member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Law Club of Chicago. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

John J. "Jack" Schaller, age 63, entered eternal rest April 23, 2012 at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home as the result of complications from liver failure.

A lifelong Sox and Bears fan, Jack was raised on the Southside of Chicago. He graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep, and he later enlisted in the Army and was a soldier in Vietnam. Upon returning from the war, Jack graduated from Illinois State University and began a brief career as a junior high teacher and football coach. While working at Gompers Junior High, Jack met and later married Melissa Stanclik. With his wife's support, he attended Lewis University and pursued his dream of becoming a lawyer, a career he held most of his adult life. Notably, Jack became a prosecutor for the Grundy County States Attorney's office in 1994 and remained until his retirement in June of 2010.

An avid golfer, Jack played the area courses regularly making many friends along the way. Throughout all of these stages of life, Jack could not go anywhere without seeing a familiar face and sharing one of his funny stories. A member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 1080, and the Will County Irish American Society, Jack will be remembered for his humor and larger than life personality; his pride in his family and his father's bar, Schaller's Pump; and, his devotion to his first grandson, Scotty. Jack will be missed by many and forgotten by none.

Richard J. "Dick" Smith, 72, of Wadsworth, IL, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Sunrise Assisted Living in Gurnee, IL.

Dick was born July 10, 1939 in Freeport, IL, and graduated from Freeport High School in 1957. He went on to earn an Undergraduate Degree from Augustana College, a Masters Degree from Purdue University and a Law Degree from the University of Michigan. Dick married Nancy Coomber on May 21, 1966, in Freeport. In 1966 he moved to Waukegan to practice law and eventually retired from the firm of Sullivan, Smith, Hauser, and Noonan. He was a long-time active member of Immanuel Church in Gurnee.

Dick was an avid fisherman, reader, and Chicago sports fan. He loved to sing, study history, and teach about the Bible, which he did for many years as a Sunday school teacher and small group leader at Immanuel. He was passionate about justice, and saw the law as a means to protect those who couldn't stand up for themselves. Most of all, he was a faithful husband, father, and friend, who loved God and served others generously.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Nancy; son Erik (Christi) Smith of Carmel, IN; daughter, Melissa (Joseph) Smith of Kenosha, WI; grandchildren, Kaelyn, Malachi, Simon, Ferris, and Caide; and sister, Dorothy (Richard) Pyle of San Diego, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Smith.

A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion. Memorial donations are suggested to Immanuel Church or the Alzheimers Association.

George Tupper Swaim, 90, of Manteno, died peacefully at home, in the company of his loving wife, Alice, March 16, 2012. Cremation rites were accorded and memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley, the YMCA, or to St. Mark United Methodist Church in Kankakee.

George was born Jan. 5, 1922, in Gibson City. He graduated from Kankakee High School in 1939 and continued his education at the University of Illinois, where he graduated first with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1943. That same year, he joined the U.S. Navy and attended the Columbia University’s Midshipmen’s School. Upon completion, he received the commission of ensign. He proudly served his country for three years, spending 18 months overseas and was involved in the securing of the Solomon Islands and two invasions of the Philippines. While in the Navy, he was commissioned to lieutenant commander. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois in 1950 with a Master of Arts degree, he attended Tulane University Law School, graduating in 1953 with a Juris Doctor degree. While at Tulane, he was elected student body president.