Mercer Cook, 88, was born May 31, 1930, in Washington, D.C.
He was a graduate of Dunbar High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, and received a J.D. from the University of Chicago. After college, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
William "Bill" Edward Harris, 80, of Springfield, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Memorial Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 23, 1938, in Springfield, the second son of Frank and Margaret Sullivan Harris. He married Carolyn Siegmund on Oct 2, 1971, in Union, Missouri.
Champ W. Davis, Jr., 78, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, at home in Oak Brook.
Born in Springfield, Davis attended the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree in general engineering and his J.D. at the College of Law, where he served on the Law Review and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.
Mark Walter Simons, 54, died on Dec. 28, 2018. He was born on April 20, 1964, in Elmwood Park to Wally and Helen Simons.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela J. Kuzniar; their children, Sophia J. Simons, Kate Alexandra, Pamela A. Izvanariu; and his brother, Peter Simons. He is preceded in death by his father, Walter F. Simons, his mother, Helen M. (Nielsen) Simons, and his sister, Lorel F. Simons.
Charles H. Wilhelm, 83, of Lewistown, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, at his home.
He was born Jan. 27, 1935, at Dunfermline, the son of William D. and Kathryn (Jenkins) Wilhelm. He married Connie Grzanich on Sept. 15, 1962, in Bryant. She survives along with three sons, Thomas Wilhelm of Canton, Charles Wilhelm of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Bill Wilhelm of Lewistown; five grandchildren, Ryan, Alana, Jesse, John and Jacqueline; and three great grandchildren, Lindsey, Rory and Jayce. He was preceded in death by his parents.
John L. Kirkland, 92, died Dec. 9, 2018, in Naples, Florida.
He was born and raised in Elgin, Illinois, served in the U.S. Navy, and graduated from Lake Forest College and Chicago-Kent College of Law. He practiced law with the Chicago-based firm of Hinshaw and Culbertson for 40 years, including a period as managing partner.
Steven L. Blakely, 53, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018. He was born to David and Marilyn Neet Blakely on Dec. 22, 1964.
He married Kimberly Edwards in Zimbabwe, Africa, on July 7, 1998. They have three sons, Tom (17), John (15) and Henry (12).
Thomas O. Falb, 69, died Oct. 25, surrounded by family after a ferocious battle with cancer.
Loving husband to wife Sandy Falb, caring and supportive father to two daughters Jorie and Danielle, and son Derek, he leaves behind a legacy that is hard to forget.
Robert S. O'Shea, 93, of Springfield, died Nov. 18 surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Springfield on April 9, 1925, the son of Ralph and Glenn Rose O'Shea.
He attended Cathedral Boys and Springfield High Schools and earned bachelor’s and law degrees at Indiana University. He was awarded four bronze battle stars for service in World War II. He landed on Utah Beach in Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a rifleman with the 825th Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Rody Patterson Biggert, a longtime resident of Hinsdale, died Nov. 15, 2018. He was 82 years old.
His parents and two sisters preceded him in death. He is survived by his beautiful family consisting of his wife of fifty-five years, Judith (Judy) Borg Biggert; daughter Courtney Caverly (Marty) of Pacific Palisades, California, daughter Alison Cabot (Chris) of London, England, son Rody of New York, New York, and daughter Adrienne Morrell (Jarrett) of Bethesda, Maryland; his nine grandchildren, Martin "Bray," Gillian, and Grant Caverly, John Henry, Matthew and Ethan Cabot and Greer, Charlotte and William "Anders" Morrell. His wonderful family provided unending love and support to Rody during his battle with leukemia.