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  • August 28, 2013 | People
    Ted E. Killingsworth 1922-2013

    Ted E. Killingsworth, 91 of Rockford died Friday, July 26, 2013 in his home. Born June 28, 1922 in Ellenton, South Carolina, the son of Ted and Bertha Killingsworth.

    He was an engineering graduate at Clemson University where he was a student council president and sang in the school musicals. Ted was a captain in the Air Force during World War II serving in the Philippines. Upon discharge he attended the University of Utah Law School. After working in the patent department in Washington, DC he joined a patent law firm (Intellectual Property) in Chicago until he joined Sundstrand Corporation in 1974 as their patent counsel and remained there until his retirement at age 70.

    He loved his family and playing golf at Forest Hills Country Club. He served on committees at Court Street United Methodist Church and Wesley Willows Retirement Home.

    Survivors include his wife, Jean of Rockford; children, Patrick (Patty) Killingsworth, John (Leslie) Munger, Margaret Killingsworth and Joan (Tim) Camper all of whom loved and respected him. He also leaves behind his six fabulous grandsons, Matt, Tom, Andy, Tim, Ted and Grant who adored him in return. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Leo and Alan.

    In lieu of flowers memorials to Wesley Willows Good Samaritan Fund.

  • August 21, 2013 | People | Practice News
    Betsy Clarke honored with national youth advocate award

    Recognized for Her Tireless Work on Behalf of Kids in Trouble with the Law

    Elizabeth “Betsy” Clarke, president of the Illinois-based Juvenile Justice Initiative, was recognized recently for her tenacious work on behalf of young people in trouble with the law. Clarke is the second recipient of the Beth Arnovits Gutsy Advocate for Youth Award, which is given annually by the National Juvenile Justice Network to individuals who advocate for youth justice and juvenile justice reform and who embody "the tenacity, vision, fearlessness and wisdom of Beth Arnovits."

    “Betsy Clarke was a natural choice for the Gutsy Youth Advocate award,” said Sarah Bryer, director of the National Juvenile Justice Network. “You only have to look at her longstanding commitment to the field of juvenile justice reform, her support of and engagement in national level reform work, and her tremendous success as an advocate for her vision for change on both the local and national levels… She’s done amazing things.”

  • August 21, 2013 | People
    Alison O'Hara Barasa 1963-2013

    By Nancy Gier, Special to the Tribune

    After stints as an attorney in both the public and private sectors, Alison O'Hara Barasa joined the family business and went on to become the first female chairman of Follett Corp. in its nearly 140-year history.

    Mrs. Barasa joined Follett as senior counsel in 1999 and worked in litigation, contracts, employment and benefits. The company supplies educational materials to schools and is based in River Grove.

    Mrs. Barasa became Follett's chairman in 2011 and gained a reputation as a catalyst for change and an innovator in moving the company forward in digital content and technology, despite battling breast cancer, colleagues said.

    "Her tenure will be viewed as a pivot point in the company's next 140 years," said Mary Lee Schneider, Follett president and CEO.

    Mrs. Barasa, 50, died of complications from breast cancer Saturday, July 20, at Midwest Palliative Care in Glenview, according to her husband, James Barasa. She was a resident of Glenview.

    Schneider sat on Follett's board with Mrs. Barasa for more than 10 years.

    "She pushed us to look at everything differently. She invited discussion and she felt that the best decisions were made through conversation," Schneider said. "She challenged how the family was involved with the business. There were no sacred cows with Alison."

    Mrs. Barasa also served as Follett's acting president and CEO after her cousin Charles Follett retired in 2012. Schneider took over as president and CEO this year.

  • August 21, 2013 | People
    Lori Ann O'Brien 1960-2013

    Lori Ann (Parrovecchio) O’Brien, 53, passed away peacefully at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8 in her home with her family and friends. Born July 21, 1960 in Rockford the daughter of Tony and Josephine Parrovecchio.

    She was a graduate of Boylan Catholic High School class of 1978 and the University of Nevada Las Vegas with honors in 1994. Lori went on to receive her Juris Doctor in 1997 from Northern Illinois University College of Law.

    She married her loving husband, Pat O’Brien on September 17,1988 in Las Vegas. She had previously worked for the City of Rockford in the City Attorney’s office and until recently worked as an assistant State’s Attorney for Boone County. She was a member of the Nevada and Illinois State Bar Association, enjoyed crocheting, reading, music and was an avid sports fan, especially fond of the Chicago Bears.

    Lori loved living and vacationing in Las Vegas and spent much of her free time there. She was a wonderful and caring person with a beautiful smile that always brightened your day, she will be missed greatly by all. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice and to Lori’s wonderful and caring friends and associates that stopped by to visit with her.

    1 comment (Most recent August 27, 2013)
  • August 20, 2013 | People
    Harold B. Culley Jr. 1930-2013

    Harold B. Culley, Jr. passed away on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Illinois. He was born February 26, 1930, at the Lightner Hospital in Harrisburg, Illinois. He resided in Raleigh, Illinois.

    He is survived by his wife Kitty Culley, his children David Culley, Mary Murphy, Linda Kotner, and John Culley, as well as step-children Tina Kuppart, Jo Nipper, and Britt Partain. 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. 2 half-brothers Roby Culley and George Culley.

    After graduating from West Frankfort High School in 1947, Harold attended Clemson University where he graduated with a degree in engineering textiles. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was commissioned as a 1st Lt. During his military service he was a paratrooper jump instructor. Upon leaving the Armed Services he attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he received his law degree in February, 1958.

    Harold was admitted as a member of the Illinois Bar in May, 1958, and admitted as a member of the Georgia Bar in July, 1967. He was admitted to practice before the Appellate and Supreme Courts of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit as well as the United States Supreme Court.

  • August 19, 2013 | People
    Hon. John W. Day 1919-2013

    Retired Judge John W. Day, 94, went to his eternal reward at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, at his family home. He was assisted by the Last Rites of the Catholic Church.

    He was born in Hamburg, Ill., Calhoun County, on Jan. 6, 1919, the son of former Calhoun Judge, John Day and Addie (Fowler) Day.

    On May 8, 1942, he married Wannie L. Bell who survives. They were engaged and married while he was stationed at the USMC Base at Nilan, Calif., for artillery school.  He graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in Illinois, Culver Stockton College in Missouri, and after World War II, received his Doctor of Juris Prudence from Washington University in St. Louis, with the help of the GI Bill.  He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Jacksonville, Ill. and before the start of World War II joined the United States Marine Corps. He participated in action against the enemy during the Battle of Midway, and was involved in the occupation and defense of Tinian and the Marianas Island Group.  He always stated that the best time of his life was when he was in the Corps.  Had he not been married, he maintained that he would have made a career of it.  He received his Honorable Discharge on Sept. 17, 1945, as a Sergeant and by the Grace of God returned home safely to Hardin, Ill., two days later on the 19th.

  • August 14, 2013 | People
    Meredith Ritchie named VP, General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer at Alliant Credit Union

    Alliant Credit Union announces the appointment of Meredith Ritchie as Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. For the past six years, Ritchie has served as Associate General Counsel for Alliant, an $8.2 billion credit union based in Chicago.

    Ritchie graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. She has worked as a litigator in private practice and as a prosecutor, and subsequently served as deputy general counsel for an Illinois state agency. Ritchie also served as corporate counsel in Accenture’s State and Local Government practice.

    Ritchie currently serves on the American Bar Association Credit Union Committee, the Alliant Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors and the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law. She is a former Director of the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation and previously chaired both the Young Lawyer’s Division and the Women in the Law Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association.

  • August 9, 2013 | People
    Attorney Aaron H. Reinke joins Pfeiffer Law Offices at firm's new Wheaton location

    The Pfeiffer Law Offices, P.C. is pleased to announce that attorney Aaron H. Reinke has joined the firm.  J. Matthew Pfeiffer, founder and principal of the firm, stated “Aaron brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the practice.  He is passionate about helping people, businesses, and municipalities by providing the highest quality legal services and always puts the client first.”  Reinke has been practicing law for over a dozen years, concentrating on local government law, business law, and general civil litigation.  “I admire the firm’s commitment to its clients and the community.  Our clients are real people, with real problems.  We use our experience to resolve client problems in the most practical and economical manner.  I’m proud to be part of the firm.” stated Reinke. 

    Mr. Reinke is active in the DuPage County Bar Association, serving as past-Chair of the Local Government Committee and member of the Publication Board; Reinke received a 2012-2013 Board of Directors Award for his work as Chair of the Local Government Committee.  Mr. Reinke is also active in his local community, serving as a Village Trustee in Bartlett, Illinois, member of the Bartlett Lions Club, and as Adjunct Faculty at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

    Pfeiffer Law Offices, P.C. is also pleased to announce its new office location at 1725 S. Naperville Road, Suite 205, Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  “Our new office location in the heart of DuPage County will allow Pfeiffer Law Offices, P.C. to better serve our clients throughout DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, Lake, McHenry, and Kendall Counties”, commented Pfeiffer.   

    1 comment (Most recent August 9, 2013)
  • August 8, 2013 | People
    William E. Good 1930-2013

    William E. Good died unexpectedly in Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 17. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 16, 1930 to James and Marion Good.

    His formative years were spent in Downers Grove, Illinois, with his brothers Bob, Tom and Ralph and his little sister Sarah. He engaged in the normal adventures of a young man growing up in the '30s and '40s and when he came of age, he served his country as a Military Policeman (MP) and in the Judge Advocate Division in Okinawa, Japan.

    He matriculated at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, earning his undergraduate and law degrees and meeting his future bride of 58 years, Marlene (nee McGrath).

    His law career was robust and varied. During his corporate law career he represented American Home Products, Ekco Products, and later served as General Counsel for Brach Candy in Chicago. Additionally, he spent 20 years serving the citizens of Arizona as an administrative law judge.

  • August 8, 2013 | People
    John W. Leskera 1931-2013

    John W. "Jack" Leskera, of Collinsville, IL, passed away on July 26, 2013 at his home.

    Jack was born on June 19, 1931. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Verna Leskera. Jack is survived by three children Karen Leskera (David Williams) of Belleville, Elizabeth Going (David) of St. Louis, and John H. Leskera (Jay) (Lillian) of Edwardsville, eight grandchildren, and his dog Merlot.

    Jack graduated from Collinsville High School in 1949 and was a member of the Kahok basketball and tennis teams. He attended the University of Illinois graduating with honors and receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a law degree in 1955. Jack served as varsity manager of the Illini Basketball team in 1954. Jack remained loyal to Illinois by donating to the School of Law and the athletic department through the Varsity I Club. At Illinois he met his wife, Adele Haven, whom he married on February 5, 1955 in Lake Forest, IL.