Journal & Topics Media Group

Obituaries for Dec. 8-13, 2021


Eric T. Bjork

of Marshfield, MO

Eric T. Bjork, 49, was born in Park Ridge and grew up in Arlington Heights. He died Nov. 27. Bjork moved to Springfield, MO, where he worked for ACGI on the sales team, and later as a regional sales manager at Armstrong World Industries. He is survived by the love of his life, Kerri Ward, his parents, sister, brother, uncles and many cousins. Preceded in death by his grandparents. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Nancy V. Gauer

of Glenview

Nancy V. Gauer, 91, a 64-year resident of Glenview, died on Nov. 15. She was the wife of the late Michael, mother of six, the late Michael Gauer, and the late Paul Gauer, grandmother of 18, great-grandmother of 12. Gauer was a homemaker and her husband’s travel partner exploring underdeveloped countries to support his passion for photography. Gauer was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for over 60 years and was one of the longest serving members of its Guild #16. N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, Glenview, handled arrangements.

Wes Gizynski

of Niles

Wes Gizynski, 76, died on Nov. 22. He was the husband of Alicja and father of two. Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, Niles, handled arrangements.

Ann W. Golek

of Glenview

Ann W. Golek, 88, died on Nov. 28. She was the wife of the late Charles Golek and Rufus Workman, mother of five, grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of eight. Funeral arrangements provided by N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, Glenview.

Joseph S. Grisaffi

of Palatine

Joseph S. Grisaffi, 90, died on Nov. 25. He was the husband of Jennifer, father of two and the late Thomas, a brother and uncle. Preceded in death by first wife, Dolores, and a brother and sister. Funeral arrangements provided by Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, Palatine.

Jean M. Hobbs

of Wheeling

Jean Marguerite Hobbs, 91, formerly of Prospect Heights and Arlington Heights, died on Nov. 24. She was the wife of the late Norman, mother of six and the late Gary, grandmother of 18 and great-grandmother of 10. Funeral arrangements provided by Kolssak Funeral Home, Wheeling.

Florence R. Jekot

of Niles

Florence R. Jekot, 91, died on Nov. 25. She was the wife of the late Chester, mother of three, grandmother of four, great-grandmother of one, and aunt. She was an avid Cub fan. Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, Niles, handled arrangements.

Gloria K. Lehman

of Des Plaines

Gloria K. Lehman, 74, died on Nov. 26. She was the wife of the late Donald, mother of two, grandmother of two, and a sister. Lehman was born in Evanston to the late William and the late Catherine Lehman. She was an active member of Bridge Community Church. She was a loving foster parent and stay-at-home mom. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Alvin E. Loesel

of Arlington Heights

Alvin E. Loesel, 91, died on Nov. 30. He taught at Jerusalem Lutheran School in Morton Grove, then in intermediate and junior high school at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Skokie. He completed his teaching career at Luther High School North in Chicago. During these years, Loesel also served as athletic director, basketball, baseball, and golf coach, and bus driver for LHN students commuting in from the Northwest suburbs. After retiring, Loesel read water meters for the village of Arlington Heights and worked the Christmas rush for the post office. He volunteered driving people to and from medical appointments. He is survived by his wife, Mary, a daughter, grandson, sisters and many nieces and nephews. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

Francisco Matos

of Wheeling

Francisco Matos, 87, died on Nov. 28. He was the husband of the late Carmen for 60 years, father of three, grandfather of eight, brother of 13, uncle, cousin and friend of many. Kolssak Funeral Home, Wheeling, handled arrangements.

Mary J. Mills

of Park Ridge

Mary J. Mills, 89, died on Nov. 30. She was a mother of one and the late Janet Maun, grandmother of three, and the late Hayley Maun, great-grandmother of three, sister, aunt and friend. Funeral arrangements provided by Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, Niles.

John E. Milton

formerly of Glenview

John E. Milton, 93, of Northbrook, died on Nov. 24. He was the husband of Eleanor Milton, father of three, grandfather of seven and an uncle. Preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elna Milton, and four siblings. Milton was a graduate of Augustana College and Northwestern University, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and lifelong health care executive. He was active at his local church and Rotary International. N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, Glenview, handled arrangements.

Martin William Morris, Jr.

of Wheeling

Martin William Morris, Jr., 88, died Oct. 21. He served in the Air Force as a specialist monitoring Soviet air communications in northern Europe. He served for nearly 30 years in the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, where he helped ensure equal employment rights for women and minorities. He played bridge competitively for many years. He was an active parishioner at St. Edna’s Catholic Church, volunteering his time as lector and catechism teacher. He is survived by his wife, Janice, three children and four grandchildren. Preceded in death by two siblings and his parents. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

Antonietta Chee Smith

of Arlington Heights

Antonietta Chee Smith, 72, died Nov. 29. She worked as a certified nursing assistant for over two decades. Smith loved dancing, singing, cooking and was a social butterfly. She is survived by her spouse Mark, a daughter, four siblings, sister-in-laws, brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Jose Tojong, parents, and three siblings. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

Jane Marie Smith

of Arlington Heights

Jane Marie Smith, 94, formerly of Glencoe and Chicago, died on Nov. 20. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Sadie, a sister, aunt, and great-aunt of four. Smith became an educator in the classroom and an administrator after graduating from Northwestern University in 1948. She is known for her accomplishments as a developer of Chicago’s Head Start child development program. In her 90s, she kept a full calendar with daily social events. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Robert Reuter Stowe

of Glenview

Robert Reuter Stowe, 91, a third-generation resident of Glenview, died on Nov. 21. He was the son of Edward Wells Stowe and Ruth Naomi Stowe, husband of Delia, father of five, grandfather of 10, a brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Preceded in death by his parents. Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, Glenview, handled arrangements.

Dorothea F. Strahle

of Wheeling

Dorothea F. Strahle, 95, was born in Eislingen, Germany, to Karl Bahnmüller and Rosa. She died Nov. 20. Preceded in death by her husband, Walter, with whom she shared a love for family, gardening, dancing and German culture. She was the mother of two and “oma” of two. Preceded in death by three siblings. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Nancy Laura Stuercke

of Park Ridge

Nancy Laura Stuercke, 85, died on Nov. 24. Nancy was born to Howard and Eleanore Witte. Orphaned in 1944, her aunt, Isabelle Brost, raised her and her three brothers. She served on the Park Ridge City Council and became a Realtor. Notably, she sold Hugh Rodham’s home, which earned her a mention in Hillary Clinton’s autobiography. She also volunteered for the Center of Concern and was an avid bridge player. Predeceased by her husband, Richard, and three brothers. She is survived by three children, four grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home, Niles, handled arrangements.

Salvatore Thomas Taormina

of Mount Prospect

Salvatore Thomas Taormina, 79, died Nov. 29. He was a deputy sheriff for Cook County for 17 years before retiring in 2006. He is survived by his spouse, Rhonda, a son and two grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Mary Lee Wagner

of Arlington Heights

Mary Lee Wagner, 71, died Nov. 25. She was the wife of Russel. She worked at Wilson Sporting Goods before moving on to Pitney Bowes where she retired as a district support secretary. She was the mother of two, grandmother of six, a sister and sister-in-law. Preceded in death by her parents. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

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