Journal & Topics Media Group

Obituaries for July 14-19, 2021


Ronald Earl Bentsen

of Arlington Heights

Ronald E. Bentsen, 88, died July 2. He is survived by his wife, Carol Bentsen, two children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law and lifelong friends. Bentsen is preceded in death by his son, Richard, brothers Harry and David. He was the co-owner of GBM Sales. Bentsen enjoyed volunteering at Northwest Community Hospital and served on the Board of Norwood Park Home. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Wendy Kay Bihler

of Glenview

Wendy Kay Bihler, 73, died on July 1. She was the daughter of Robert Woodrow and Doxie Lorraine Bihler. The only home she knew was the one her father built in Glenview. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kris Bihler, two nieces, great-nephews, their children, as well as cousins. Preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Dottie Bihler, her brother, Woody Bihler, her grandparents, and a cousin. Smith and Corcoran Funeral Home, Glenview, handled arrangements.

Shirley A.L. Eilken

involved in Des Plaines

Shirley A. L. Eilken, 93, died on July 6. She moved from the Chicago area to Nebraska, CO, and settled back in Des Plaines after her marriage to LeRoy on Dec. 31, 1958. Shirley had six children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She spent 10 years helping develop the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines. She also worked at Zeigler Coal Co., Borg Warner, DeSoto Chemicals, and was a legal assistant for 15 years as well as a volunteer at Salvation Army for six years. She was a member of the Des Plaines Garden Club and the Low Vision Group. She was survived by her brother, Charles Beto, and his wife, Marilyn. Preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers and her daughter, Linda Vehrs. Funeral arrangements provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines.

Thomas R. Hageman

retired teacher

Thomas R. Hageman, 78, of Huntley, died on June 30. Hageman began his teaching career in School Dist. 21 where he started a grade school orchestra program. He received his Master’s degree from the University of Illinois while he continued to teach. In the early 1970s, he was an orchestra director and music educator at Maine East High School where he developed beginning string, electronic music and music theory programs, as well as directed multiple orchestras and ensembles. He moved on to Dist. 214 where he was the orchestra director for Buffalo Grove High School as well as director of the Dist. 214 Honors Orchestra for 17 years until he retired in 1999. Hageman is survived by his wife, Darla, two children, four grandchildren, and brother. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

Joseph Francis Hurley

of Arlington Heights

Joseph Francis Hurley, 96, died on June 29. Hurley served during World War II with the U.S. Navy Seabees from 1943-46 in both the Philippines and China as part of a Stevedore Battalion. He received his degree from Loyola University in Chicago and worked as a claims administrator in the insurance industry. Hurley is survived by his wife, Lois, their two children, six grandchildren and his nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his brother John and sister Mary Baker. Joseph was a devout Catholic, loved old-time radio, dancing with his wife, and baseball. Funeral arrangements provided by Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights.

Rosemary A. Kuntzman

of Niles

Rosemary A. Kuntzman, 77, died on July 5. She was the wife of David Kuntzman for 53 years, mother of two, grandmother of two, daughter of the late Alexander and the late Irene Szczerbicki, sister and aunt. Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, Niles, handled arrangements.

Carmen Alicia Diaz Leiva

of Glenview

Carmen Alicia Diaz Leiva, 55, died July 2. She was the wife of Natividad Hernandez, mother of four, grandmother of nine and a sister. She was born in Amatitlan, Guatemala to Jose Francisco Diaz and Soledad del Carmen Leiva. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines.

Mladen Matulin

of Palatine

Mladen Matulin, 66, died on July 1. Matulin was an electrical engineer in the telecommunications industry for many years. He is survived by his sister, Slavka Pavlovic, niece, great-niece, great-nephew, and his beloved Christine Wells. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dragan Pavlovic. Glueckert Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Paul Joseph Patrick Medici

of Rolling Meadows

Paul Joseph Patrick Medici, 77, died on June 29. Medici was a Vietnam Army Special Forces Green Beret. Father of two and the late John Michael Medici, grandfather of four, son of Elizabeth and the late Paul, brother of Elizabeth Rigogliosi and Marie Selleck. Medici was a Ferrari enthusiast who loved the sea, and spending time with his family. Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Josephine S. Michalek

of Des Plaines

Josephine S. Michalek, 96, died on July 4. She was the wife of the late Raymond Michalek, mother of two and the late Ronald Michalek. She was born in Chicago to the late Walter and the late Caroline Aniol. Funeral care provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines.

Michael F. O’Brien

of Mount Prospect

Michael F. O’Brien, 92, died on July 5. He was the husband of Jean O’Brien, father of three, grandfather of six, brother of John O’Brien and “Uncle Mick” to many. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Belinda, and his brothers Bernard and James. Born in Chicago, O’Brien graduated from St. Mel High School in 1946 and from Quincy College in 1951, where he played football on an athletic scholarship. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War, having served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. O’Brien had a 44-year career in sales for Signode Packaging Systems, a division of ITW. Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, handled arrangements.

Randy S. Peters

of Buffalo Grove

Randy S. Peters, 62, died on June 30. Peters was a jack-of-all-trades. His most recent employment was as a master coachbuilder for Lehmann-Peterson in Rolling Meadows for five years. He had a passion for working on cars and building computers. He took great pride in his home and yard. Peters is survived by his wife, Angela, his two children, four grandchildren, father, Delmes Peters, three siblings, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joan Peters. Glueckert Funeral Home, Arlington Heights, handled arrangements.

Ethan Pinzon

of Glenview

Ethan Pinzon, infant son of Juan C. Pinzon and Laura I. Galvan. Funeral care provided by River Woods Funeral Chapels, Des Plaines.

Harold Podgorski

of Des Plaines

Harold Podgorski, 87, died on July 6. He served in the U.S. Army. He was one of six children of Edward and Frances Podgorski. He and his wife, Mary Jane Carroll, were married for nearly 58 years. He is survived by six children and their spouses, 18 grandchildren, his sister and brother, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and baby Robert. He worked many years at Northwestern University in Evanston as a mechanic in the maintenance department. Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, handled arrangements.

Jose Roberto Diaz Ponce

of Des Plaines

Jose Roberto Diaz Ponce, 35, died July 3. He was the husband of Sandra Magana and father of three. He was born in Mexico to Jose Roberto Diaz Raya and Josefina Ponce Martinez. Funeral arrangements provided by G.L. Hills Funeral Home, Des Plaines.

Thomas Andrew Schweitzer

of Mount Prospect

Thomas Andrew Schweitzer, 41, died on July 2. He was an artist, performer, collector, a versatile man of service, and a man of many interests. He attended St. Raymond grade school from 1982-93, and graduated from St. Viator High School in 1997. He is survived by his parents, as well as his four siblings, three nephews and two nieces. Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect, handled arrangements.

Sharon L. Stark

of Park Ridge

Sharon L. Stark, 84, died on July 1. Stark is survived by her daughter, Cathy Beckman, granddaughter, a sister, Mickey Johnson, sister-in-law and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Ray Stark, daughter, Susanne Stark, and brother, Dale Thompson. Before retiring, Sharon and Cathy were the owners of Forest Vue Lanes in Des Plaines. She enjoyed a restaurant meal out in the company of friends and spending the winters in Sarasota, FL. Funeral arrangements provided by Nelson Funeral Home, Park Ridge.

Raul F. Suarez, M.D.

of Rolling Meadows

Raul F. Suarez, M.D. 93, died July 1. Suarez was born in Cuba and came to Chicago after completing medical school to do his residency. He had a long successful career at Northwest Community Hospital. He was the husband of the late Betty L. Suarez, father of three, grandfather of five and brother. Funeral arrangements provided by Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect.

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.