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  • March 22, 2012 | People
    David Russell Green 1966-2012

    David Russell Green, age 46, died February 7, 2012, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born on January 28, 1966 in Waukegan, Illinois, son of Thomas and Leatrice Russell Green.

    He attended elementary schools in Waukegan and graduated from Libertyville High School in 1984. He received degrees from Western Illinois University and Lewis University prior to entering John Marshall Law School. David received his law degree and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in April 2001.

    He practiced in Illinois until 2003 when he moved to Arizona, where he practiced until his death.

    He is survived by his parents and a sister, Lisa A. Green of St. Louis, Missouri. He will always be remembered for his sparkling humor, tremendous love for golf and relentless courage during many difficult times. He is greatly loved and will be greatly missed. A private family burial will take place in Libertyville, Illinois.

  • March 22, 2012 | People
    Stephen P. Carponelli 1947-2012

    Stephen P. Carponelli "Steve," 64, died Thursday, March 1, 2012, at his home in Barrington Hills, Ill., after a courageous fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/"Lou Gehrig's Disease").

    Born Dec. 11, 1947, in Chicago, to Peter J. and Diana M. Carponelli, he graduated from Forest View High School in Mount Prospect, Ill., in 1965. An athlete, he played baseball and football at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He graduated in 1969, earning a bachelor of science degree in marketing. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1972, graduating cum laude from The John Marshall School of Law, and was admitted to the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Illinois that same year.

    Early in his career, Steve co-founded the law firm Carponelli & Krug with friend, Robert F. Krug Jr. Over the course of his 40-year career, Steve combined the teamwork and competitive drive gained from athletics with the business acumen he developed at Drake and the knowledge and advocacy learned at John Marshall to become a highly respected litigator. He was a multi-year member of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

    Steve was nominated by his peers to the Leading Lawyers' Network, Super Lawyers, and the trial lawyer honorary society, Litigation Counsel of America. In addition to his winning trial work, he also argued cases before the Appellate Court of Illinois, the Supreme Court of Illinois, United States District Court, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.

  • March 22, 2012 | People
    John Carlton Sands 1929-2012

    John Carlton Sands, age 82, passed away with his family by his side, on March 1, 2012. John was born in Chicago on Aug. 16, 1929 to Lily Johnson.

    John graduated from Austin High School and the University of Illinois. He received his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1958.

    John served in Army Military Intelligence from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War. John devoted his 50 years as a plaintiff's trial lawyer to representing railroad and maritime workers who were unable to represent themselves. He was a distinguished member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys and the Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, among others.

    John will be remembered as being proud, determined and no friend to defeat. He was known for his strong will, spirit, protectiveness, compassion and lasting love for his family. John was able to travel the world pursuing his favorite pastime, fly fishing. He was a jazz, sports, opera, theater, movie and history enthusiast.

    John is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Beverly; son, Jon Sands (Patty); son, Scott Sands (Dale); daughter, Colleen MacKimm (David), all born of his first marriage to Dianne Sands; he is also survived by Brandon, Carly, Elizabeth, Gracie, Lily, Ryan, Charles and Faith, his eight wonderful grandchildren that fulfilled his life. 

  • March 22, 2012 | People
    Donald D. Knuckey, Sr. 1948-2012

    Donald D. Knuckey Sr., 63, of Lacon, died Feb. 5, 2012 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.

    Mr. Knuckey was born July 30, 1948 in Scales Mound to David and Charlotte (Hurst) Knuckey.

    Mr. Knuckey served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired from the Army after 20 years. He graduated from Loyola Law School and practiced law in Henry for many years. He also served as Marshall County State's Attorney for 20 years and was engaged in farming. He attended Immaculate Conception Church, Lacon and was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus at Immaculate Conception. He also was a member of the Henry American Legion.

    Survivors include his mother, Charlotte Knuckey, of Peru; four children, Margaret (Christopher) Johnson of Morton, Rosemary (Michael) Frawley of Putnam, Donald D. (Lucille) Knuckey, Jr. of Henry and Anthony Knuckey of Chicago; eight grandchildren, Franklin, Henry, Lucas, Lauren Rose, Mikayla, Taylor, Elizabeth and Isabelle; one brother, James (Connie) Knuckey of Moline; and three sisters, Linda Lambel of McHenry, Barbara (Dale) Holloway of Mendota and Donna (Bill) Donna of Magnolia.

    He was preceded in death by his father.
    Memorials may be directed to the Henry American Legion or the Henry Food Pantry.

  • March 15, 2012 | People
    Lahm joins Stellato & Schwartz Chicago office

    Stellato & Schwartz, Ltd. is pleased to announce the addtion of Kevin B. Lahm. He is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and will be working in the firm's Chicago office.

  • March 13, 2012 | People
    Sinas Dramis Law Firm opens Chicago office

    The Sinas Dramis Law Firm is pleased to announce the opening of our Personal Injury Practice in Illinois, now serving the greater Chicago Area.

    Serving both Michigan and Illinois, personal injury attorneys Bryan J. Waldman, James F. Graves and James M. Hofer specialize in representing plaintiffs in cases involving catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death.

    Conveniently located Downtown, contact us at 321 N. Clark Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60654-4714
    Main Office: (312) 332-6162
    Toll Free: (866) 758-0031

    We handle cases involving:

    • Personal Injury
    • Auto Accidents
    • Trucking Accidents
    • Wrongful Death
    • Aviation Casualty
    • Products Liability
    • Nursing Home Abuse
    • Medical Malpractice
    • Construction Accidents
  • March 13, 2012 | People
    Mark W. Bina appointed to ARDC Hearing Board

    Krieg DeVault is pleased to announce that Chicago office attorney Mark W. Bina was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Hearing Board for the Illinois Supreme Court’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).

  • March 8, 2012 | People
    Richard R. Cross 1922-2012

    Richard R. Cross, 89, Rockford, formerly of Woodstock, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012.

    He was born Nov. 29, 1922, to Nelson and Mildred Cross in Canton, Ohio. He was educated in Rockford public schools, a member of the first graduating class of the new West High School. He attended the University of Illinois and then served in the United States Army as a member of the 103rd Cactus Division in World War II. After his Army service he returned to the University of Illinois and received his law degree and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity. He was associated with a law firm in Woodstock.

    He married Glenna Comly in 1949. He then was recalled into the Army during the Korean conflict and served in the Judge Advocate Corps. When he returned to Woodstock, he opened his own law office, where he practiced for 50 years. During that time he served as village attorney for Algonquin and was appointed a special assistant attorney general. He served as city attorney in Woodstock until he was elected state’s attorney for McHenry County from 1960 to1968. He then returned to his private practice until his retirement. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock for more than 50 years, serving as an elder and a trustee of Presbytery.

  • March 8, 2012 | People
    Francis E. Youssi 1923-2012

    Francis E. Youssi, 88, of Batavia, Ill., passed away into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. He was born on July 11, 1923, in Menomonie, Wis., the son of Edward G. Youssi and Wanda (Hendrickson) Youssi.

    His family moved to Batavia in 1925, where he resided until his death. Francis graduated from Batavia High School in 1941 and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign until he was drafted in January 1943. He served in the U.S. ArmyAir Corps as a gunner, bombardier and navigator in the 441st and 442nd squadron of the 320th Bomb Group in the 12th Air Force and later in the 1st tactical division stationed in Sardinia, Corsica and France, during World War II. He flew 63 missions in total and earned the rank of Technical Sergeant.

    After the war ended, he attended Aurora College and earned his bachelor of science degree. He then attended law school at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, where he graduated first in his class in 1950. His love of Batavia brought him back to the community, and he opened his solo law practice at the First National Bank Building in downtown Batavia. He also opened a branch office in Aurora at the Law Office of Beamisch, Edwards and Brunnemeyer. He met the love of his life, Frances Gittleson of DeKalb, in 1950, and they were married in 1952 in Creston. They were inseparable until her death in 1997.

  • March 8, 2012 | People
    Harold T. Berc 1914-2012

    Harold T. Berc, a Chicago attorney for more than 60 years, served in the South Pacific during World War II and, as national commander of AMVETS, helped secure funding to complete the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

    Mr. Berc, 97, died Sunday, Feb. 26, at The Grove at Lincoln Park senior community, said his stepson, Jamey Fadim. His health had declined after he fractured his hip, Fadim said.

    Mr. Berc was born in Chicago and was a lifelong resident. He got his law degree from DePaul University in 1937. For much of the 1930s, he worked in the news business, including in the editorial department of the International News Service.

    After getting his law degree he opened a practice, handling business litigation, wills and trusts, and real estate.

    Shortly after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he joined the Navy, serving in the reserves until 1953. During the war he served aboard the USS Washington battleship and the USS Reno, an anti-aircraft cruiser.

    He received a Bronze Star for being fighter director officer aboard the USS Reno when the USS Princeton was bombed and set afire by Japanese forces in the Philippines on Oct. 24, 1944.

    He also received 10 battle stars for participating in 10 major naval engagements. From Feb. 1, 1945 to the end of World War II he taught at an officers tactical radar school in Hollywood, Fla.

    Mr. Berc returned to his law practice after the war and worked until he retired in 2003.