People

Donald A. Gillies, 79, of Wilmette, formerly of Winnetka, passed away on August 12, 2011. Mr. Gillies was the beloved husband of Judith; loving father of Beth; dear brother of Jean.

A 1953 graduate of Denison University, Mr. Gillies was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; he earned the J.D. at Northwestern University in 1956. Specializing in taxation and estate law, Don was a partner with the law firm Altheimer & Gray, which he joined in 1961, and was Of Counsel with Holland & Knight from 2003 until his retirement. He was a former Illinois State Chairman of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and had served as Chairman of the Federal Taxation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and a longtime member of the Illinois State Bar Association. Don had been a regular contributor to professional law journals and a frequent public speaker for professional organizations.

From 1977 to 1983, Don served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago. He served for 27 years until his retirement in 2001 as Board President of The Baptist Theological Union, located in Chicago. He was also Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Baptist Retirement Home in Maywood, Illinois. In addition, he was President from 1986-1988 of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, the oldest philanthropic organization in Illinois. He was recognized each year for over twenty years in "The Best Lawyers in America" since its First Edition in 1983.

William (Bill) Lovekamp Niemann, 91, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, on July 30, 2011. A resident of Evanston and Winnetka for many years, he will be greatly missed as a father, grandfather and friend.

Mr. Niemann was born on July 20, 1920, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He grew up as the middle of three children in Arenzeville, Illinois. He earned a B.A. from Carthage College (1941) and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law (1947, Cum Lauda, Order of the Coif). His law school education was interrupted by World War II, during which he proudly served in the medical and transportation corps of the U.S. Army, eventually achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. His military service included tours of duty in Europe, Africa and Italy.

Mr. Niemann began his law career in 1947 as an attorney with Snyder, Chadwell & Fagerburg in Chicago, and later served as regional attorney for Montgomery Ward & Company in Oakland, California. There he met and married (1956) Doris Elizabeth Greenstreet (1926-2008), his devoted wife of 52 years. They relocated to the Chicago area where Bill began a 25-year association with Brunswick Corporation in Chicago and Skokie, eventually serving as Vice President-Law, Secretary and General Counsel.

During this time he and Doris lived in Evanston and Winnetka, where they raised two sons and attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston. Bill also served on the Board of Trustees of Carthage College, as a member of the Law Club of Chicago, as an officer of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, and as Director of the Oakton Community College Foundation. Doris and Bill retired to Tucson in 1990.

Uvaldo Herrera, 56, Bloomington, died Sunday (Aug. 21, 2011) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

Uvaldo was born July 19, 1955, in Los Pinos, Durango, Mexico, son of David and Rosalina Lopez Herrera. He came to the United States with his family when he was 11 years old, speaking only Spanish. With no official assistance in place, he mastered the English language and went on to complete high school. He obtained his bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Illinois in 1981, and obtained his juris doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1988.

He began working at State Farm Insurance Cos. in March 1981 in a number of positions, working in auto claims, corporate law, and most recently, the Multicultural Business Development Group.

Ervin F. Wilson, Jr., 91, of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully at his home on July 16th, 2011.  Erv is survived by his Loving wife of nearly 56 years, Vida (“V. J.”), nee Butcher, Dear father of Pamela (John) Schnake, Thomas (Terri) Wilson, Jane (Brian) Sterrett and Robert (Erin) Wilson.  Cherished grandfather of Mark, David and Kate Schnake; Lauren (Keith) Lichtenberg and T. J. Wilson; Billy, Charlie and Courtney Sterrett; Teddy and Liz Wilson. 

Erv received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and went on to graduate summa cum laude from The Northwestern University School of Law, where he served as editor–in-chief of the Northwestern Law Review; Erv was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois in 1946, served as a DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney, was a Past President of the DuPage County Bar Association, and enjoyed his private practice in Elmhurst until retiring in 1989; Erv was also a Charter Member and Past President of the Elmhurst Rotary, and a former Director of York State Bank. 

The most important part of Erv’s life was spending time with his wife and family, and he was an avid reader who enjoyed traveling with V. J., family and friends, looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada and his daily fitness routine. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials, in Erv’s name, to First Congregational Church of Elmhurst, 235 S. Kenilworth, Elmhurst, IL 60126, are appreciated.  For information, contact 630-834-1133 or www.pedersenryberg.com.