Grace Coombs, Widow Of Fallen Fireman, Succumbs

Grace M. Coombs (Norlin), widow of the late Robert P. Coombs, the only Des Plaines firefighter to die in the line of duty, passed away on Dec. 31 at her Des Plaines residence. Born Mar. 27, 1924 in Chicago, Mrs. Coombs was 82. A 54-year resident of Des Plaines, she was a secretary for 20 years and past high priestess of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America Karnak Court #17. Visitation will take place today (Thursday), Jan. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home in Des Plaines. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 5 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Plaines at 10 a.m. Robert Coombs was a Des Plaines firefighter on Apr. 26, 1962 when he died in a sewer accident at River and Rand roads. Mrs. Coombs is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (Charles) Court, and son Robert Marcus (Connie) Coombs. She was preceded in death by a son, Richard Allen Coombs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago., 60707.

Cook At Sugar Bowl Dies

Samuel R. Thompson, former long-time cook and chef at the Sugar Bowl Restaurant in Des Plaines, died Dec. 22 in his home. He was 83 years old. A memorial service for him will be held at 7:30 p.m. today (Thursday) in Oehler Funeral Home's Des Plaines Chapel, 2099 Miner St. A native of Ohio, he came to Chicago at age 25 after serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. He worked as a cook and eventually a chef for the Fifles family, original owners of the Sugar Bowl, for 32 years, retiring in 1998. Surviving are his children, Patricia (Joe) Giallombardo, of Des Plaines; Samuel, Ruth (Jerry) Shugart; and two grandchildren, Amanda and Joseph Giallombardo. He lived in Des Plaines for 41 years, and was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (nee Hallgrimson).

Active Rail Buff, Fred Trappe, 85

Longtime Des Plaines resident Fred C. Trappe, known for many years as a supporter of the 20th Century Railroad Club, the Des Plaines Crimestoppers and Des Plaines Linkerbusters fishing club, died on Thursday, Dec. 28 in Arlington Hts. He was a retired machinist for the Chicago Tribune. Born Jan. 24, 1921 in Chicago, he was an avid traveler and was married to Laverne Trappe (nee Wurster) for 33 years. He is survived by a daughter, Renee, and other relatives. Trappe was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole Trappe (nee Burkhart) and several other relatives.

SHIRLEY BENDER
Of Niles

A funeral service was held for Shirley F. Bender, 83, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the John Brebeuf Church in Niles. Ms. Bender was born on Sept. 15, 1923. She died on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at Lutheran General Hospital. She worked as a secretary treasurer at an entreprenurial corporation. Ms. Bender was survived by her husband Ray Bender, daughters Karen (Ed) Hausner and Susan Bender, and sons Ray (Vicki) Bender and Scott Bender. She was grandmother to 13 children. She was preceded in death by her parents Edwin Johnson and Valeria (nee Heim) Johnson.

KENNETH CHRISTIANSEN
Of Union, IL

Visitation for Kenneth łKenny˛ Christiansen, 3 months old, was from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at G. L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines. Interment was private. Kenny was born on Sept. 24 in Park Ridge and died Friday, Dec. 29 in Park Ridge. He is survived by his parents, Bradley and Jennifer; his twin brother, Theodore; his sister Raelyn Erica Christiansen; grandparents, Tom (Jan) Christiansen, Tom (Barb) Conley and Bud (Sue) Mukahirn; and great-grandmothers, Lorraine Engelhart and Antoinette Oldfield. Memorials may be made to the Neonatal Intensive Care at Lutheran General Children's Hospital, Advocate Charitable Foundation, 205 W. Touhy Ave., Suite 225, Park Ridge, IL 60068.

CHARLES ALTO DAUGHERTY
Park Ridge Resident

A funeral service for Charles Alto Daugherty, 89, of Park Ridge, was held on Dec. 29 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home.Visitation took place on Dec. 28 at the funeral home. Interment was at Acacia Park Cemetery.Daugherty worked as an accountant at Artz Foundry and president of the Artz Foundry, was a 55 year member and former president of the Logan Square Lion's Club, member of the Medinah Shriners and a Board of Directors member of the Old Timer's Baseball Association. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Olga and daughter Patricia. Daugherty is survived by his wife Jean. E., daughter Lynn (Joe) Gribbons, and grandchild Lance Cpl. Mick D. Gramse.

JUDITH M. FLYNN
Of Niles

A funeral service for Judith M. Flynn, 66, of Niles, will be held on Friday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home. Interment will be at Maryhill Cemetery. Ms. Flynn was born on May 6, 1940 in Freeport, Ill. She was a past president of the St. John Brebeuf Catholic Women's Club and a member of Alpha Xi Delta Society. She worked as a teacher at a grammar school. She died on Jan. 1, 2007 at Bethany Terrace Nursing Home. She is preceded in death by her parents Michael G. and Anne O'Connell, husband Thomas, and son Michael. Ms. Flynn is survived by her daughters Julia (Richard) Plotke and Susan (Michael) Walsh, son Robert, grandchildren Nicholas, Kira, Ryleigh, Zachary, Abigael, Jack, Lileigh and Hannelore, sister Patricia McCauley and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association in Skokie, IL, 60076.

BEATRICE FRANKLIN
Lifetime Des Plaines resident

A funeral Mass for Beatrice Franklin nee O'Neill, 87, took place on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at St. Mary Church in Des Plaines. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines. Visitation preceded the Mass at River Woods Funeral Chapel in Des Plaines. Mrs. Franklin was born on Sept. 26, 1919. She died at Manor Care in Northbrook. Her husband William, her parents Eugene and Katherine and her siblings Mary Agnes (late Henry), James B. (late Jean) and Eugene preceded her in death. Her children William (late Amy) and Katherine (David) Schanding, her grandchildren Megan (Matthew) Conway, Kevin Schanding and Christopher Franklin and her sister Ruth (William) Powell survive her.

ALPHONSO J. FURLAN
Niles Resident

A funeral service for Alphonso J. Furlan, 50, of Niles, will be held today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at St. John Brebeuf Church. Visitation was held yesterday (Wednesday) at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home. Interment will be at Maryhill Cemetery. Mr. Furlan was born on Dec. 30 1956 in Chicago. He was veteran and a deputy sheriff in Cook County. He died on Dec. 31, 2006 at Resurrection Medical Center. He is preceded in death by his father Alphonso J. Furlan, Jr. Mr. Furlan is survived by his mother Betty, grandmother Myrtle Christopher, son Alphonso Furlan, IV, sisters Betty Ann (Peter) Madsen and Ann Margaret (Robert) Van Kast, and brother Nicholas (Sylvia).

ARLENE KINKEL
Of Arlington Heights

Visitation for Arlene R. Kinkel (nee Rieck), 77, was held on Saturday, Dec. 30, from at the Lutheran Home on Oakton Street in Arlington Heights. The interment was at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Ms. Kinkel was born on February 24, 1929 in Chicago. She died on Dec. 26 at Northwest Community Hospital. Ms. Kinkel is survived by her husband Chris. They were married for 56 years. She is also survived by her children Nancy (Brad) Gamss, and Eric Kinkel, grandchildren Christopher, Jennifer and Ryan Gamss, and sister Marilyn (Clarence) Schawk. She was preceded in death by her daughter Linda Kinkel, brother Vernon Rieck, and sister Elaine Miller. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the MDS Foundation in Annapolis, Maryland are appreciated.

ISABELLA SCZECH
Of Rollling Meadows

A funeral mass for Isabella A. Sczech, 75, of Rolling Meadows, was held Jan. 3 in St. Colette Church. Interment was in St. Michael Cemetery, Palatine. Arrangements were by Meadows Funeral Home, Rolling Meadows. A native of Chicago, she died Dec. 28 in Northwest Community Hospital. A widow of the late Frank A. Sczech, she is survived by children Carol (Kevin Havelka)) Durkin, and Joseph (Julie); grandchildren Colleen, Chip, Allison Durkin; Matt and Cory Sczech; great-grandchild Nana Sczech; siblings Louie Passarelli and Maria (Danny) Tucker; nieces Cindy and Sabrina, and nephew Christopher Tucker. Memorials are requested to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

THEODORE SKAFIDAS
Of Chicago

memorial service for Theodore Skafidas, 34, of Chicago took place on Friday, Dec. 22 at St. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview. Mr. Skafidas passed away Dec. 20. He is preceded in death by his loving grandparents Apostol and Panagiota Skafidas and Theodore and Katherine Karas and his aunts and uncles Marilyn and Peter Karas, Helen and Nick Chelos, Jimmy Skafidas and George Skafidas. He is survived by his beloved parents Chris and Angela (nee Karas) Skafidas, his dear sister Pamela (Tom) Brander, his fond niece and nephews Christopher, Tommy, and Katie, and his cherished aunts and uncles George and Sandra Karas, Ted and Sylvia Skafidas, and Angeliki and John Georgakopoulos. He was dear cousin and good friend to many. In lieu of flowers, donations to Leukemia Research Foundation, 2700 Patriot Blvd., Ste. 100, Glenview 60026-8021. Funeral arrangements by Cooney Funeral Home.

JUDITH A. WOLFRAM
58-year Des Plaines resident

A funeral service and interment at Ridgewood Memorial Park for Judith A. Wolfram nee Berendsen, 66, was private. Mrs. Wolfram was born on Oct. 2, 1940 in Chicago. She worked as a homemaker and died on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006 at Glenbrook Hospital. Her husband, George Wolfram Jr., survives her. In lieu of flowers, contributions to your favorite charity are appreciated. Oehler Funeral Home in Des Plaines made funeral arrangements.

FRANCES W. ZIELINSKI
Niles Resident

A funeral service for Frances W. Zielinski, 88, of Niles, will be held on Friday, Jan. 5 at 10:45 a.m. at St. Juliana Church. Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4 at Terrace Funeral Home. Interment will be at Maryhill Cemetery. Ms. Zielinski was born on Dec. 8, 1918 in Chicago. She worked as a book keeper for a kitchen remodeling company. She died on Jan. 2, 2007 at her home. She is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Sophie Zurawski, husband Edmund L., and sisters Cecelia Bozek and Adeline (late Sam) Demkoski. Ms. Zielinski is survived by her son Alan Wayne (Margaret Sherman), daughter Lynne Frances (Vincent Pinelli), grandchild Justin Alan, sister Lillian (Walter) Schreiman and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the charity of your choice.