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Obituaries

  • April 3, 2014 | People
    Richard H. Parsons 1936-2014

    Richard H. Parsons, 77, of Peoria died on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at UnityPoint–Proctor.

    Richard was born June 9, 1936, in McAlester, OK, to Alfred Richard and Veronica Cecilia Parsons. He married Catherine Logan on August 9, 1958, in Peoria. She preceded him in death in 2011.

    He is survived by is children, Karen Voss, Anne Muren, and A. Richard Parsons II; and eight grandchildren.

    Both his sisters, Helen Murphy and MaryAnn Caster, preceded him in death.

    Mr. Parsons graduated from Taylorville High School in Taylorville, IL, in 1954, where he participated on many athletic teams including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. However, he was most proud of the fact that he was elected captain of the first Taylorville High School Varsity Tennis team.

    Tennis continued to play an important part of his life. He played well into his 60s when spinal problems forced him to quit playing the sport he loved the most. After high school, he played tennis for Bradley University for two years. After graduation, he continued to play and own Club and Bar Association mixed and men’s doubles tournaments, including championships at Mt. Hawley Country Club, the Peoria Tennis Association, the Peoria County Bar association, and the Racquet Club of Peoria. Additionally, he was a three-time winner of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Tournament. His home and office were festooned with dozens of tennis and golf trophies.

  • March 28, 2014 | People
    James R. Brumund 1948-2014

    He created and coached the successful Joliet J’s girls softball team for numerous years. He was an assistant softball coach at Joliet Township where he helped coach the 2000 girls state softball championship team. He was presently an assistant coach for the varsity softball team at Joliet West. He was a mentor to his son, Danny, in baseball, football, and wrestling. He coached St. Joe’s Baseball, the Joliet Lightning, and the Channahon Excavators. He presently played senior softball throughout the country and Joliet Park District softball. Jim was part owner of Aux Sable Farms (The Property) where he spent many enjoyable hours hunting, fishing, and relaxing time with his family. Jim was a diehard Sox and Bears fan.

    Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, attorney, coach, and friend. Although law was his livelihood, sports was his passion.

    1 comment (Most recent April 14, 2014)
  • March 28, 2014 | People
    Rodney Pitts 1948-2014

    Rodney Joseph Pitts, 65, of Lake Tapawingo, Mo., passed away Feb. 27, 2014 at his home.

    He was born May 15, 1948 in Litchfield, Il to Bill and Lola (Fensterman) Pitts. Rodney was a graduate of St. Louis University with a Juris Doctorate. He was an Attorney at Law in the Law Office of Rodney J. Pitts in Wood River, IL. He was an Assistant State Attorney in Madison County from (1973-1982). State of Illinois Special Attorney General (1976-1982), attorney for the St. Louis Regional Airport, Bethalto, IL, City Attorney for Village of East Alton, IL (1976-2004), Wood River Township Attorney (1991-2004), Adjunct Professor, Criminal Law, Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL (1974-1977). He served as an Alderman in the City of Lake Tapawingo. On December 1, 1982 he was united in marriage to Nicole Kileen. Rodney was a Presbyterian by faith. He enjoyed fishing, guns, target shooting, and spending time with family and friends. Rodney was a tissue donor and encourages others to do likewise. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Mary Gaye Pitts.

    In addition to his wife Nicole, he is survived by his son, Jason Walter Pitts of Maryland Heights MO; daughter, Alaina Marie Pitts of Wood River IL; grandchild, Haley Marie Monroe, brother, Gregory William Pitts of Lake Tapawingo, MO; sister, Barbara Ann Smith and husband Craig of Brighton, IL; one nephew Craig Smith II, his wife Michelle, and great niece Addyson.

  • March 28, 2014 | People
    William C. Bates, Jr. 1926-2014

    William C. Bates, Jr. 87, of Lincoln passed away on March 10, 2014 at Christian Village, Lincoln.

    Bill was born April 13, 1926 in Chicago, the son of William C. and Annette Blinn Bates.

    He served in the U.S. Army during WW II being discharged as a Second Lieutenant. Following the war, Bill entered the University of Miami, where he graduated from Law School in 1950 with a J.D. Degree cum laude. In 1947, he married Mary Evelyn Lowe, a native Floridian and a direct descendant of the Hendry family, pioneers and early settler in South Florida. After his graduation, he and his wife moved to Lincoln where he began the practice of law. He practiced alone until 1972 when he joined with Robert J. Woods and Dick H. Woods, Jr. until he retired January 1, 1985. From 1952 to 1964 he served as Master of Chancery of the Circuit Court. He is a member of the Illinois, Florida and Logan County Bar Associations.

    Bates served as a member of the Illinois Board of Banks and Trust Companies, and he served four years on the Lincoln District 27 School Board. He also served as a member of the Logan County Board of School Trustees, was a director of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Lincoln Methodist Church Board, and he was a member of the Board of Kickapoo Parks and Trails Foundation.

    Family business and farming interests were also an ongoing part of his life, as was his interest in Lincoln College. Mr. Bates was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1957 to 1985, serving as President of the Board from 1963-1965. Bill retired in 1985 and moved to Naples, FL with his wife. He was the president of Quail Creek Country Club in 1988 where they were members for 31 years.

  • March 20, 2014 | People
    Keith Roberts 1928-2014

    ISBA Laureate Keith E. Roberts Sr., 85, passed away on March 15, 2014.  An ardent though frustrated Cubs fan, and a trial lawyer who gave generously of his time and talents to train other lawyers in the fine art of gentlemanly advocacy in the courtroom. Recipient of the Laureate award from the ISBA Academy of Illinois Lawyers in 2004. The tribute from his induction is below.

    Beloved husband of the late Marthan Roberts (nee Dusch); loving father of Chuck (Linda) Roberts; dear grandfather of Beth, Rick and Sara.

    Visitation Thursday, March 20, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Road (one block east of Naperville Road), Wheaton. Funeral Service Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment private. Information at www.williams-kampp.com or 630-668-0016. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to DuPage County Bar Foundation.

  • March 17, 2014 | People
    Hon. Michael J. Howlett Jr. 1948-2014

    Hon. Michael J. Howlett, Jr., 65, passed away on March 16. Beloved husband of Kathleen Howlett nee Fitzgerald; loving father of Elizabeth (Jon, Jr.) Bogie, Melissa Howlett (Sean Kelly) and Catherine Howlett; dear grandfather of Lily Rose and Elloway Bogie and Michael Howlett Kelly; devoted son of Helen nee Geary and the late Secretary of State Michael J. Howlett, Sr.; fond brother of Robert (Karen) and Edward Howlett, Catherine (Albert) Childress, Mary Christine Howlett and Helen Cashman; many nieces and nephews & great nieces and nephews.

    Visitation is Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral will be Thursday, March 20, 2014, 9:15 a.m. from Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. at Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077 to SS. Faith, Hope & Charity Church, 191 Linden Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093, Mass 10 a.m. Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery, Northbrook.

    In lieu of flowers memorials to, Rush University Medical Center, c/o Dr. Nina Paleologos Neuro Oncology Fund, 1700 West Van Buren, Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60612, would be appreciated. Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990.

  • March 17, 2014 | People
    C. Joseph Cavanagh 1932-2014

    C. Joseph Cavanagh, 81, of Springfield, died at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Bruns House in Alamo, CA.

    Joe was born on September 24, 1932 in Jacksonville, IL, the son of Thomas Edward and Agnes Kane Cavanagh.  He married Sandy Spenceley on September 3, 1959 in Washington, DC.

    He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William K. Cavanagh, Sr. and Thomas Edward Cavanagh.

    Joe attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Springfield High School.  He was a graduate of Georgetown University College in 1955 and Law School in 1960, in Washington, D.C. Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and was a special agent of the Army counter intelligence corps. He was a member of the Illinois State and Sangamon County Bar Associations and Knights of Columbus Council #364.  Joe practiced law as an assistant State’s Attorney and Public Defender.  As a private practioner, he officed with his brother William K. Cavanagh, ran and was elected Sangamon County State’s Attorney and served two terms.  He was elected and proudly served as a Resident Circuit Judge for Sangamon County, serving for a time as Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.    

  • March 11, 2014 | People
    John J. Griffin II 1933-2014

    John J. "Jack" Griffin II, 80, passed away peacefully, Feb. 26, 2014. Born Dec. 22, 1933 in Chicago, Jack attended Saint Hilary Grade School and graduated from Amundsen High School in Chicago in 1951. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's Degree in 1956 and DePaul University with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1958.

    Jack served in the US Air Force as a JAG Officer from 1958-1961. He worked as an Attorney and CPA with his brother David, at Griffin & Griffin in Chicago. Jack was a proud Badger Fan, enjoyed traveling, Hawaiian vacations, skiing, and spending time with his family.

    He is survived by a son, Gary (Lynette) Griffin, a daughter-in-law, Petrine Griffin ; grandchildren, John J. "JJ" (Hayley) Griffin IV, Christian, Danielle "Dani", Austin, Caleb and Jeremiah "Miah" Griffin; great-grandson, John J. Griffin V; great-granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth Griffin; brother, David (Chris) Griffin; and nieces, Lisa VanScoyoc, Sherri Griffin and Patty Miller. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ronna Lou "GG" Griffin (nee Alexander) whom he married June 2, 1956, in Madison, Wis.; son, John J. "Jay" Griffin III; parents, John J. and Eleanor (nee Fennell) Griffin.

    In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517. For information, 847-381-3411 or www.davenportfamily.com where online condolences may be left for the family.

     

  • March 11, 2014 | People
    Colette Bailey 1955-2014

    Colette Bailey, age 58, of Peoria, formerly of Glenview, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, after a brief illness.

    She was the beloved daughter of Peggy Bailey and the late R. Emmett Bailey; dear sister of Vicky Coleman; loving aunt of Bob (Renee) Coleman, Laura (Brian) Brehart and John (Tracy) Coleman; and cherished great-aunt of Bobby, Ryan, Lyla and Emma.

    Colette was a graduate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Regina Dominican, St. Mary's University in Minnesota and DePaul University.

    She was an attorney in private practice and a public defender in Peoria.

    Colette served on numerous boards, including the YWCA, the Women's Fund for the PACF, the Junior League and more. She volunteered for many other programs and was a lifetime member of the Phi Gamma Nu Sorority. Colette was named in the 40 Leaders Under 40 in 1995 by the Peoria Magazine and was also named to the Peoria Chamber of Commerce 25 Women in Leadership in 2000. She received the Louise Alloy Volunteer of the Year Award in 1998 from WTVP Channel 47 in Peoria.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sister Paulanne's Needy Family Fund, c/o Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

    For more information, call (847) 675-1990 or visit www.donnellanfuneral.com.

  • March 11, 2014 | People
    David Linde 1965-2014

    David E. Linde, 48, a 13-year-resident of Oak Park, died on Feb. 19, 2014 at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood of complications from Cystic Fibrosis. Born on April 13, 1965 in Chicago, he was raised in Evergreen Park and graduated from Evergreen Park High School, Carroll College, and John Marshall Law School. He was a practicing bankruptcy attorney. 

    David Linde is survived by his wife, Christine; his daughter, Samantha; his parents, Ralph and Caroline Linde; his sister, Julia (Derek) Inksetter; his nephews, Andrew and Charlie; his niece, Rachel Inksetter; and his aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

    Private interment took place on Feb. 24 at Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, March 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. with shared memories from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., in Oak Park. 

    In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at www.cff.org are appreciated.