Posted Friday, March 6, 2009
Gerald Blatt
Of Niles
Gerald Blatt, 83, of Niles, died Saturday, Feb. 21 at Lutheran General Hospital. He was born March 16, 1925 in Chicago. Blatt was a food store manager. Visitation was Monday, Feb. 23 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home in Niles. Service was at Skaja on Monday, Feb. 23. Burial was in Elmwood Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Olga Blatt; son, Wayne (Christina) Blatt; grandson, Kyle; sisters, Thelma Fisher and Phyllis (Elliot) Pullman; brother-in-law, Andrew Kupciak, son-in-law Blair and uncle of many. Mr. Blatt is preceded in death by his parents Irving and Ida Blatt and daughter, Denise Freedman.
Robert E. Bristol
Of Rolling Meadows
A funeral service for Robert E. Bristol, 53, of Rolling Meadows, was held Sunday, Feb. 22, at Meadows Funeral Home. Visitation took place prior to the service. Mr. Bristol was born March 4, 1955 in Chicago. He passed away on Feb. 19, 2009 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. He is survived by Dr. Joan Patterson and friend Shirley Cory.
Harry M. Challender
Of Elk Grove Village
A funeral service for Harry M. Challender, 80, a 44-year resident of Elk Grove Village, was held Wednesday, Feb. 25 in Grove Memorial Chapel. Interment followed in Concordia Cemetery, Forest Park. A native of Hanna, Wyoming, he died Feb. 21. He was a member of the Rocky Mountain Lodge #40 of the Masonic Order, and a member of the American Rose Society. Surviving are his widow, Geraldine (nee Manthei); children Catherine Challender-Bishop and Harry (Lisa); and grandchildren Katie and Samantha Challender.
Lauretta E. Cisco
Of Schaumburg
Lauretta E. Cisco, 83, of Schaumburg, died Saturday, Feb. 21 at Friendship Village. She was born on Mar. 30, 1925 in Chicago and was a homemaker. Visitation was Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home. Services were Wednesday at Skaja with burial in Acacia Park Cemetery. She is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Laura Polk and her husband, Earl Cisco. She is survived by cousin, Evelyn and James Cripe and friends Cindy and Michael Duffy.
Thomas James Digan
Knights of Columbus member
Of Palatine
A funeral Mass for Thomas James Digan, 81, took place Saturday, Feb. 21, at St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Palatine. Interment was at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine. Visitation was Friday, Feb. 20 at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home. Mr. Digan was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Springfield, Ohio. He died on Feb. 16, 2009. His wife Rosemary (nee Schutte) and his children Laura A. (LeVern) Hoover, Thomas E. (Amalia) Digan, Michael D. (Linda) Digan, and Suzanne M. (Jerry) Kennedy survive him.
Theresa 'Kay' Ford
Of Des Plaines
Funeral services for Theresa "Kay" Ford, 87, were held Friday, Feb. 27, at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery. Born Jan 4, 1922, in Chicago, she died Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Park Ridge. She was a seamstress and homemaker. She was the wife of James C., whom she married April 25, 1954; mother of Ken (Cathy) Ford, Jim (Laurie) Ford and Sharon (James) Little; grandmother of Jackie, Erin, Emily, Zachary, Sarah and Kayla; and sister of Fred (Lee) Tomasello, and the late Jim, Al, Tony, Rose and Mae.
Arlene M. Hamilton
Of Elk Grove Village
Arlene M. Hamilton, 99, of Elk Grove Village passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Born in Chicago in 1910, Ms. Hamilton frequented the Sheila Ray Adult Center in Elk Grove Village. Funeral services were Saturday, Feb. 28 at Grove Memorial Chapel. Interment was private. Mrs. Davidson is preceded in death by her husband, James Hamilton. She is survived by her children, David (Jacquelyn), Gaby (Carolyn), James (Marcia) Hamilton; grandchildren, Steve (Gina), Kim, Brett, Jim (Lori), Jeff (Warin), Todd, James (Katie) Hamilton, Tami (Jamie) West; and great grandchildren Rebecca, Mary, Alyssa, Mackenzie, Kaylee and Aspen.
Leona L. Higgins
Of Des Plaines
A funeral service for Leona L. Higgins, 98, will take place today (Friday), Mar. 6, at Friedrichs Funeral Home in Mt. Prospect. Interment will be in Acacia Park Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday, Mar. 5 at the funeral home. She was born on Aug. 14, 1910 in Grand Rapids, Mich.; she died on Mar. 1, 2009.
Erna A. Hogrebe
Musician from Mt. Prospect
A memorial gathering for Erna A. Hogrebe will take place Saturday, March 7, at Friedrichs Funeral Home in Mt. Prospect. Mrs. Hogrebe was born on Dec. 29, 1926 in Germany. She died on Feb. 27, 2009 at Northwest Community Healthcare Center in Arlington Hts. Her husband William Hogrebe preceded her in death.
Phyllis Joan Iannello
Of Rolling Meadows
Phyllis Joan Iannello, 56, of Rolling Meadows, died Feb. 22 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Hts. She was born May 1, 1952 in Chicago. She worked for Scranton Gilette for many years doing data entry. She was the wife of Salvatore; mother of Phyllis (Anthony) Rakittke and Christopher (Melissa) Iannello; daughter of Joseph and Phyllis Rosko; sister of the late Claudia Rosko. Visitation and services were Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Meadows Funeral Home.
Phyllis J. Kirsten
Of Arlington Hts.
Phyllis J. Kirsten, 80, of Arlington Hts. died Feb. 27 at Church Creek in Arlington Hts. Born March 19, 1928 in Chicago, she worked for the Walgreens store in Prospect Hts. for many years. She was the wife of the late George T; mother of George, Audrey (Brett) Cooper, Patricia (Curtis) Voel-Pel, Richard (Denise), Daniel (the late Teri) James and the late Robert Kirsten. Grandmother of Jehremry (Jennifer) Shawn (Rebecca) and Brett (Katherine) Cooper, Richard, Bryan, Christopher and Travis Kirsten, Derick and Kirsten Voel-Pel and the late Kirk Breidinger. Great grandmother of Sarah Elizabeth, Georgia Anne Cooper, Bailey, Sean, Katlyn and Hallie Kirsten. Sister of Gerald (Dorothy) and the late Edward, Arthur, Phillip, Norbert Ronald Schultz and Jeanette Hathaway. Visitation was Monday, Mar. 2 at Meadows Funeral Home, Rolling Meadows where services were held Tuesday, Mar. 3. Interment in St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles.
Lorraine O. Kochan
Of Des Plaines
Lorraine O. Kochan, 91, of Des Plaines, passed away on Feb. 15. She was the wife of the late LeRoy S. Kochan; mother of Lee Ronald (Sandra) Kochan and the late Beverly D. French; grandmother of Paul (Denise) Kochan, Karin (Ken) Stefancic, Eugene French, Eric (Rebecca) French, and Elliott (Misty) French; great grandmother of nine; sister of the late Lewis (Jean) Wenholz. A memorial gathering took place Saturday, Feb. 28, until time of memorial service at G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines.
Maria Kuzmiak
Of Palatine
A funeral service for Maria Kuzmiak (nee Mofa), 84, took place Saturday, Feb. 20 at Meadows Funeral Home in Rolling Meadows. Interment was in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine. Visitation was Friday, Feb. 20, at the funeral home. Ms. Kuzmiak was born July 5, 1924 in Ukraine. She died Feb. 18, 2009 at Northwest Community Healthcare Center in Arlington Hts. Her children Eugene Kuzmiak and Mary (Steve) Owen preceded her in death. Her children Irene (Henry) Borst, Nancy DiSpirito, Sophie (Phillip) Klopp, Michael (Sharon), and Anna survive her.
Joan M. Locascio
Of Arlington Hts.
Joan M. Locascio, 77, of Arlington Hts., died on Feb. 20. She was born on Sept. 27, 1931 in Chicago and was a long-time member of the Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Hts. Ms. Locascio was an active member of the Church Creek Community in Arlington Hts. where she resided for the last 2 ½ years. Wife of the late Charles V. Locascio; mother of Michael Locascio, John (Karen) Locascio, Virginia (Steven) Venit, Susan (Glen) Eirich, Mary Locascio and Charles (Lisa) Locascio. Grandmother of Brad and Ben Eirich, Melissa, Amanda, Caitlyn and Michael Venit, Jenna and Nick Locascio and Jackson and Sam Locascio. Sister of James (Jackie) Sheehan, John (Penny) Sheehan and the late Joseph (the late Margaret) Sheehan, the late Sheila (Norman) Hanson and the late Francis Sheehan. Aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Alfonso Longobardi
Of Buffalo Grove
A funeral mass for Alfonso Longobardi, 78, took place Thursday, Feb. 19 at St. Mary Catholic Parish in Buffalo Grove. Entombment was in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines. Visitation was Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Hts. Mr. Longobardi was born May 11, 1930, in Napoli, Italy. He died on Feb. 16, 2009, in Buffalo Grove. His children, Vincenzo (Wanda) Longobardi, Nunzia Longobardi, Patrizia Longobardi, Anna (Agostino) Fiasche, Mario (Rosa) Longobardi, Lucia (Vincenzo) Cavallino, and Rosario Longobardi survive him.
Christopher Pacini
Of Niles
Christopher Pacini, 55, of Niles, died Friday, Feb. 27 at Rainbow Hospice Ark. He was born on Aug. 13, 1953 in Chicago and was employed as a gift store sales representative. Visitation was Sunday, Mar. 1, at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, Niles. Funeral services were held Monday, Mar. 2. Mr. Pacini is preceded in death by his father, Jack Pacini, and sisters Rosemary (Donald) Garrison and Ivana Pacini. He is survived by his mother, Amalia Pacini and niece, Marisa.
William C. "Bill" Peck
Former art teacher at Forest View, Wheeling high schools
A life celebration for William C. "Bill" Peck, 72, of Rolling Meadows, will take place Saturday, Mar. 7 at Church of the Incarnation in Arlington Hts. Visitation will be Thursday, Mar. 5 at the church. Mr. Peck was born on Dec. 27, 1937 in Burlington, Wis. He died on Feb. 28, 2009. His wife Carol and his sons Kurt, Scott (Antje), and Chadd (Christy) survive him.
Ronald E. Petersen
Of Elk Grove Village
Ronald E. Petersen, 76, of Elk Grove Village, died Feb. 24 at Alexian Brothers Medical Center. Mr. Petersen worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 30 years as an air traffic controller. He was a Medinah Shriner and active with the Boy Scouts of America Northwest Council along with Lord Baden–Powell University. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anita Petersen; children, Carol, Bruce and Greg Petersen; sister, Marlys (Edward) Lindquist, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Harriet Schwartz
Of Mt. Prospect and Des Plaines
Funeral services for Harriet Schwartz were held Saturday, Feb. 28 at Friedrichs Funeral Home followed by a funeral mass at St. Zachary's Church with interment in St. Adalbert Cemetery. Schwartz was born on Aug. 1, 1919 in Chicago and died in her Mt. Prospect home on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009. She was 89-years-old. Schwartz worked for both the Federal Reserve Bank and for Walgreens as an executive secretary. She was also a member of the Polish National Alliance. She is survived by her son Christopher P. (the late Laura nee Eshoo) Schwartz, granddaughter Hanna Schwartz, brother Stanley (the late Mary) Laskowski and nieces; Joyce, Joan and Dlorah. She was preceded in death by her husband Chester A. Schwartz and brother Stanley (Marion) Laskowski.
Frank G. Valerio
Of Niles
Frank G. Valerio, 87, of Niles, died Thursday, Feb. 19 at Evanston Hospital. He was born Sept. 29, 1921 in Chicago. He was owner of Aetna Screw Products Co. in Niles and a veteran. Visitation was at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 23. Services followed at Skaja on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and St. Mary of the Woods Church. He was laid to rest in All Saints Mausoleum. Mr. Valerio is survived by wife, Annette Valerio; sons, Joseph Valerio and Glenn Valerio; grandchild, Tyler Anne; sister Camille, uncle of many. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dolly Valerio; sister, Christine; brother, Anthony Valero.
John T. Vrablik
Of Niles
John T. Vrablik, 86, of Niles died Saturday, Feb. 21 at Abington of Glenview. He was born Nov. 6, 1922 in Chicago and was a proprietor of Lambs Wool products. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Visitation was at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Lying in state took place at Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Burial took place in Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago. Mr. Vrablik is survived by his wife, Anne Vrablik; son, Thomas (Karen) Vrablik; granddaughters, Irene and Stephanie Vrablik; sisters, Elizabeth (Richard) Baranowski, Olga Vrablik; brother, Edward (Bernice) Vrablik; uncle and cousin of many.
He is preceded in death by his parents Stefan and Meri Vrablik, sister, Ann Vrablik; brother-in-law, Howard Nelson; brother Steven Vrablik; brother-in-law, Edward Cerny and sister, Julia.
Peter Walczak
Des Plaines resident
A memorial visitation will be held for Des Plaines resident Peter Walczak, 52, on Saturday, Mar. 7 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St., Des Plaines. Mr. Walczak died on Feb. 23 after he was hit by a downtown Des Plaines Metra commuter train. A private service will be held on Sunday, Mar. 8.