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Obituaries

  • March 7, 2013 | People
    Dawn Clark Netsch 1926-2013

    Former Illinois Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, who spent 18 years serving in the state senate and was the first woman to run on a major ticket for governor in Illinois, died Tuesday. She was 86.

    Netsch's former chief of staff and longtime friend Wendy Cohen said Netsch died early Tuesday. Netsch said in January that she had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, a fatal nerve disorder.

    "It's a tough one," the 86-year-old Democrat said at the time. But she said she revealed her diagnosis to draw attention to the disease.

    "Might get more people thinking about what is ALS," she said. "I'm going to be straight about this also."

    Netsch spent 18 years serving in the state senate and was the first woman to run on a major ticket for governor in Illinois. The Democrat was known for her directness during her more than six decades in Illinois politics. She served as an adviser to Illinois Gov. Otto Kerner Jr., helped rewrite the Illinois Constitution in 1970 and was elected state comptroller in 1990.

    During her tenure in the Illinois Senate, she was known as an expert in state finances, argued against the death penalty and sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment.

    She ran for governor in 1994, losing to Republican incumbent Gov. Jim Edgar.

  • February 27, 2013 | People
    Dwight Franklin Bickel 1931-2013

    Dwight Franklin Bickel, 81, passed away on January 16, 2013, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz., following a recent illness. He was born February 1, 1931, to former mayor Melvin J. Bickel and Ethel M. (Hackley) Bickel in Trilla, Ill. Dwight grew up in Trilla and Charleston, Ill., where he married Barbara Carrolyn Alexander in 1949; they had two children, and later divorced. He married Cynthia (Gross) Petrie of Emmett, Idaho, in 1969, and they had a son together.

    Dwight began college at the University of Michigan, served in the Air Force during the Korean war, then attended the University of Illinois where he earned his B.S. degree, 1955, followed by his Juris Doctor degree, 1957. After completing his education, he began practicing as a lawyer in Charleston. In 1958 he and his family moved to Boise, Idaho, where he served as Idaho's Assistant Attorney General from 1959-1963, and started a private law practice that he continued for the rest of his life.

  • February 27, 2013 | People
    Franklin Sherwood Wallace 1927-2013

    Long-time Rock Island resident Franklin Sherwood Wallace, 85, a prominent attorney and larger-than-life character, died peacefully Friday night, February 1, 2013, in Dayton, Ohio after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1:00 pm at Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri City Jewish Center, Rock Island. Burial is at the Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Frank Wallace Memorial Fund at U.S. Bank. The money will be given to groups working to inspire the love of art and music in children and to a local animal shelter.

  • February 24, 2013 | People | Practice News
    Mary Ann G. McMorrow, 1st female Illinois Supreme Court Justice, passes away after brief illness

    Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow was a pioneer in opening opportunities for women in the law. She was greatly admired for her elegance, grace and style over a legal career that spanned five decades.

    Justice McMorrow, 83, passed away Saturday after a brief illness.

    Justice McMorrow was the first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and—as its Chief Justice from September 2002 to September 2005—was the first woman to head a branch of Illinois government. Or, as she put it at her swearing in as Chief, "I am the 115th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. You will notice after I take off my robe that I am the only one of the 114 chief justices who preceded me that wears a skirt."

    Justice McMorrow had a remarkable legal career.

    It began with graduation as the only woman in her class from the School of Law at Loyola University in 1953, continued as the first woman to try felony cases as an assistant Cook County state's attorney and culminated with her selection as Chief by her colleagues on the Supreme Court.

    She served on the Supreme Court from 1992 until her retirement July 5, 2006. Her tenure as Chief Justice began September 5, 2002 and concluded September 4, 2005.

    Throughout her career, indeed throughout her lifetime, Justice McMorrow assumed and maintained a strong mentor's role for women who wished to enter and serve in the law. She accomplished this always in graceful fashion, earning the respect, admiration and fondness of colleagues, legal adversaries and ordinary citizens crossing gender lines.

    2 comments (Most recent February 25, 2013)
  • February 21, 2013 | People
    Harry Duncan Connor, Jr. 1918-2013

    Harry Duncan Connor, Jr., age 94, born in Chicago, Illinois, entered into eternal life on February 6, 2013. Harry was a proud practicing attorney for more than 50 years and an avid yachtsman.

    Beloved husband of the late Florence, nee Jez, Connor. Loving father to Harry Connor III, Sean (Lisa) Connor, and Timothy (Susan) Connor. Proud grandfather to Maya, Anna, Patrick and Olivia. Dear uncle to many nieces and nephews. Dear friend to Jolanta Rosa and many others. Beloved son of the late Harry and Anna Connor. Dear brother of the late Dr. Arthur Connor.

    Please sign guestbook at www.donnellanfuneralhome.com

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Dennis Eric Carlson 1938-2013

    Dennis Eric Carlson was born April 25, 1938, in Chicago, to Eric and Esther (nee Roden) Carlson. He passed away Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at his home in Barrington.

    Mr. Carlson attended the University of Illinois and Roosevelt University for his understudies and graduated from DePaul University's Law School with a Doctorate of Law. He served as a trial attorney for over 30 years, during which time he was a member of the Illinois State Supreme Court as well as the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

    Dennis is survived by his wife, Loraine; children, Dawn (Eric Aniolowski) Carlson, Melissa Carlson, Darlene Carlson and Lisa (Tim) McInnes; four grandchildren, Rabecca, Tagnier, Tyler and Timothy; brothers, Leonard (Cindy) Carlson and Richard Carlson; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Interment will be in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary. For more information, call 847-639-2191 or visit www.WindridgeFuneralHome.com.

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Walter B. Remdt 1924-2012

    Walter B. Remdt passed away December 18, 2012 at age 88. Wally was the husband of Gloria (nee Bernin); father of Victor (Patricia) Remdt and Laura (James) Johnson; devoted grandfather of Max, Caroline and Emily Johnson and Victoria Remdt; dear member of the Kuehn and Rosenbaum families.

    Walter was born in Manebach, Germany on July 21, 1924 to Aline and Maximilian Remdt. The family moved to Chicago during the late 1920s. A decorated World War II veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Wally proudly served the United States in the 65th Signal Battalion and the 3261st Signal Service Company in Europe. After the war, Wally graduated from the University of Illinois and attended John Marshall Law School. He started and ended his career with the insurance adjusting firm of Toplis & Harding, Inc. (agents for Lloyds of London) rising to President of the company.

    During his retirement, he enjoyed world travel, shared his business acumen as a counselor with SBA's Service Corps of Retired Executive (SCORE), continued his long-standing relationship with the American Turners, and was active in the American Legion.

    A former Lake Forest resident, Wally resided in Florida until his death. Services will be private. For information, contact jj4374@gmail.com

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Arthur Greenberg 1929-2013

    Arthur Greenberg, 83, of Peoria, died on Jan. 21, 2013, at his residence.

    He was born July 31, 1929, in Chicago, to Irving and Dorothy Gordon Greenberg. He married Bonnie Mosiman on February 9, 1994, in Peoria. She survives.

    Also surviving are his children, Dean Greenberg of Carbondale, Nina Dunavan of Austin, Texas; his grandson, Abraham Traverso of Carbondale; his great-grandson, Mateo Traverso and his sister, Nancy Plotkin, of Chicago.

    Preceding him in death are his parents and granddaughter, Leah Dunavan.

    He was a graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor.

    He was a United States Navy veteran, serving his nation during the Korean War.

    Arthur was a noted attorney in the Peoria area for many years, engaging in the practice of law from 1957 to 1978, 1982 to 1997, 1999 and 2000. He was also Resident Circuit Judge, Peoria County, Tenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court (1997-1998); Commissioner on the Inquiry Board, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) 1997; an Assistant State's Attorney, Peoria County, 1960 and 1962, and has been appointed special prosecutor and receiver in special cases.

    He was licensed to practice law in all local Federal Courts, State of Illinois, State of Michigan, and before the United States Supreme Court.

    Arthur was President of the Peoria County Bar Association (1992-1993), the Standing Committee on Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board (2005-2006), and the Illinois Central College Justice Advisory Board (2005 to 2011).

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Peer Pedersen 1925-2013

    Peer Pedersen, 87, of Lake Forest, died on January 21, 2013. Peer was a proud graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law.

    As former chairman and founder of Pedersen & Houpt, A Professional Corporation, Peer devoted his legal practice of more than 60 years to being a dedicated advocate for his clients. He was proud to have identified, mentored and trained generations of corporate attorneys.

    Beloved husband of the late Sarah Derrick Pedersen; loving father of Leslie Bertholdt, Peer D. (Michelle) Pedersen, Mia (Fernando) Guidarini, Kristen (the late Bert) Meers, and Erik (Monica) Pedersen; adored grandfather of Kimberly, Sarah, Katherine, Peer, Parker, Derek, Ulrik and Annelise Pedersen, Kristin and Alixandria Lloyd.

    Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, 550 W. Van Buren Street, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 345 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, or the University of Illinois College of Law, 504 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820.

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Kenneth E. Scranton 1915-2013

    Kenneth E. Scranton, 97, of Palatine, passed away Friday, Jan. 18, 2013.

    He was born Feb. 4, 1915, in Chicago, to the late Cassius and Nellie (Ducey Cleary). He graduated from Northwestern University in 1937 and from Northwestern Law School in 1940. He completed his Navy officer training at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind., and was assigned to a submarine squadron in 1942 operating in the South Pacific and China Straits.

    He served in various Cape cities overseas for 34 months, entering the Japanese Navy Base with the U.S. fleet in November 1945. He was honorably discharged from the Navy shortly thereafter, and commenced his law practice as a member of a leading law firm in Chicago. He eventually opened his own law practice until his retirement in 2001 at the age of 86.

    He continued to practice law, sitting on various boards until the time of his death. He was extremely proud to state that he was the personal attorney for members of the Wirtz family as well as corporate attorney for Wirtz Corp. and its subsidiaries, which includes the Chicago Blackhawks.