Obituaries

First District Appellate Justice Michael James Murphy, 71, passed away on Monday, Oct. 1 of an unspecified caused.

Murphy became a Cook County associate judge in 1985. He was elected a circuit judge in 1992 and elected to the 1st District Appellate Court in 2006. 

He was the beloved husband of Mary Ellen, nee Lowrey; loving father of Courtney (Derek) Eovaldi, Nora Lowrey Murphy, and the late Tracy (Trey) Ish. Son of the late Arthur Joseph and Eileen, nee Kelly. Brother of Arthur (Audrey), Mary (Charles) Erickson, Hon. Patrick (Susan), Eileen (Hon. David) Donnersberger, John, Thomas (Margaret) and the late Rev. Joseph Murphy. Fond uncle of Arthur III, Ann, Joann, Kim, Jeannie, Maureen, Matthew, Joe, Mary Eileen, Mark, Justin, Jacob, Molly, Madeline, Clare, Tom, Katie, and Kevin. Cherished grandfather of Albie, Michael, and Katie Ish; Joey, Luke, and Ella Eovaldi. Great-Uncle to many. He was truly loved and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Sacred Heart Monastery, P.O. Box 900, Hales Corners, WI 53130 would be appreciated. Visitation Thursday, October 4 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave, Chicago. All are welcome to meet at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago for visitation Friday morning from 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 10 a.m. Interment private. Info 773-736-3833 or visit Justice Murphy's memorial at www.smithcorcoran.com

John L. Stewart, 96, died on Sept. 12 in Carbondale.

John was born Dec. 4, 1915, in Murphysboro, a son to the late Leroy and Josephine Antoinette Eck Stewart.

He was united in marriage to Lucy P. Phillips on Sept. 3, 1942, in Jackson, Mo.; Lucy preceded him in death Dec. 1, 1996.

John was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Murphysboro and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a sergeant in military intelligence during World War II.

John was an attorney and operated his own private practice in Murphysboro for many years. He was a graduate of University of Illinois School of Law in 1939. After his service in the Army, he returned to Murphysboro and joined his father, Leroy, in his law practice and formed Stewart and Stewart in Murphysboro. John was a member of Murphysboro Elks Lodge BPOE 572. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and University of Illinois Alumni Association.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Barbara Stewart of Orland Park; one granddaughter, Joy Stewart and her fiancé, Eric Anderson; one grandson, David Stewart; and one great-grandson, Collin Anderson.

Services have been held.

For additional information or to send a condolence, visit www.crawshawfuneralhome.com.

Walter Scott Clifton, 60, of Urbana, died of complications from Multiple Sclerosis on Sept. 13 at the Veteran’s Administration Illiana Healthcare System in Danville, surrounded by family.

Mr. Clifton was born May 29, 1952, in Chicago, to Anne and Walter Clifton Sr. along with four sisters including Jennifer, Pamela, Gail, and Norma. Coming from humble beginnings, Mr. Clifton was a shining example of the American Dream. He went to the military and later worked his way through undergraduate school. He graduated from The University of Illinois Law School in 1980, and subsequently served as an attorney.

Walter Clifton married Dora A. Pope and had 4 children: Rodedrick, Dionne, Vernon and Justin.

Mr. Clifton spent his entire life in service, tirelessly serving God, his country, his family, and his community. Mr. Clifton accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and served as a member of Greater Holy Temple Church. He was truly an extraordinary human being and he will be forever loved and missed.

Services have been held.

The family asks that donations of time and volunteer work be made to Veteran organizations in Mr. Clifton's memory. Condolences may be sent to www.leekandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Gary L. Brown, 64, of Chicago, formerly of Kankakee, died Tuesday (Aug. 28, 2012). A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m. today at Maternity BVM Catholic Church in Bourbonnais. Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, Bourbonnais, is in charge of arrangements.

He was born Feb. 9, 1948, in Donovan, the son of Dorothy Anderson and Delmar Brown. He spent his childhood in Beaverville working on the family farm, attending school and playing sports. He especially enjoyed playing baseball.

After graduation from high school, Gary attended Indiana University, where he played basketball and baseball for the university. Since baseball was his passion, he decided to play professionally for the Montreal Expos minor league team from 1969 to 1971. He graduated from The John Marshall Law School in 1976 and chose to practice in Kankakee. His legal career included work as an assistant states attorney, a private practice with the law firm of Butz, Mortell, Jaffe, Smith, O'Connor and Brown, and the city attorney under former Mayor Russell Johnson for eight years.

After more than 20 years in law, Gary switched careers to work for a not-for-profit agency, Howard Area Community Center. At the resource center, Gary structured and organized the computer literacy program.

Gary will be remembered by his family as the dad who taught his son to pitch like a pro and play chess like a master; by his daughter, Jessica, as the dad who celebrated even the smallest achievement; and by his daughter, Chrissy, as the dad who encouraged her to strive for excellence and embrace each individual along the way.