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Obituaries

  • July 26, 2012 | People
    Thomas Arthur 1930-2012

    Thomas Arthur passed away on June 5, 2012. Tom lived most of his full life in Glencoe, Illinois. His parents, John W. Arthur and Hazel Welsh Arthur moved with him from Chicago to Glencoe in 1932.

    Tom attended the Glencoe schools, New Trier High School, Hamilton College and Northwestern Law School. At Hamilton College he was a member of Sigma Phi, the tennis and squash teams. He majored in history and political science. His favorite professor and mentor was Edgar B. "Digger" Graves, Chairman of the history department. He attended most of the Hamilton College reunions until 2012.

    He was drafted into the Army in 1952 immediately following graduating from Hamilton. After basic training and armored leadership school at Fort Knox he went to Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served with the 61st Field Artillery in Hokkaido, Japan for 18 months where he was a forward observer, directing fire for 105 howitzers. He was a recon and survey officer and battery exec.

    Tom played tennis on the Corps tennis team, attended mountain climbing school and managed the ski team. Tom was class of '58 at Northwestern Law School. He was a member and magister of Phi Delta Phi and was a member of the Law School's Board of Governors.

  • July 24, 2012 | People
    Richard M. Batcher 1945-2012

    Richard M. Batcher, 70, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died unexpectedly at University Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, June 9, 2012. 

    Richard was born August 9, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa to Robert and Maxine (Edsel) Batcher. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1963 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1967 he received his law degree from the University of Iowa.

    Mr. Batcher practiced law at Heninger and Heninger in Davenport, Iowa, for seven years. He continued practicing law for 38 years at Bozeman, Neighbor, Patten and Noe in Moline, Illinois.

    Richard was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Scott County and Rock Island County Bar Associations, the Bettendorf Rotary Club, Transitions Board, Quad City Astronomy Club and the Cornbelt Running Club.

    Richard married Lynn Hagglund on June 17, 1967 in Ottumwa, Iowa.

    He was a gentle man with an avid curiosity about a variety of subjects. Even after achieving a professional degree he took college courses and tutored high school physics students for fun. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed true survival stories. Dick loved the outdoors, in particular the Rocky Mountains. He took up running in his 50's and solo hiked 176 miles of the John Muir Trail in his 60's. He was a 44 year member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He adored his wife and children, his son in law and most recently his granddaughter, Leah Grace, all of whom loved him fiercely.

  • July 24, 2012 | People
    Roger Charles Elliott 1945-2012

    A memorial Mass for Roger Charles Elliott, 66, of Momence, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday (July 7, 2012) at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Momence. The Rev. Dennis Settles will officiate. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made for his children's education. Mr. Elliott died Sunday (July 1, 2012) in Riverton, Wyoming, while on vacation.

    Mr. Elliott was an attorney for more than 35 years. He had been a partner of Elliott and McClure Law Offices in Momence and Bourbonnais. He was born September 26, 1945, in Chicago, the son of Edward and Rita Rotundo Elliott. He received an undergraduate and law degree from DePaul University. He was president of the Kankakee Bar Association, a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Kankakee Women's Bar Association, Momence Anchor Club, NRA, Pheasants Forever, Illinois Trial Lawyer Association, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Ganeer Township Assessor and Momence Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gambling and traveling.

    Surviving are his wife, Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott, of Momence, whom he married August 18, 1984, in Chicago; one son, Nicholas Elliott, of Momence; one daughter, Samantha Elliott, of Momence; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Anne Elliott, Mary and James Brown and Susan Tyler, all of Richmond, Va.; and one brother, John Elliott, of Richmond.

    He was preceded in death by his parents.

  • July 19, 2012 | People
    Rev. Ruth E. Van Demark 1944-2012

    Reverend Ruth E. Van Demark died on June 9, 2012 at Northwestern Memorial Medical Center in Chicago Illinois. She died from metastatic breast cancer.

    Ruth was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her parents were Dr. Robert and Bertie Van Demark. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1962. Ruth graduated from Vassar College in 1966 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1969. She graduated from University of Connecticut Law School in 1976.

    Ruth married Leland Wilkinson on June 23, 1967. They had two daughters, Amie and Caroline.

    She joined the Chicago law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon—now Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP—as one of the firm's first female associates in 1976. She subsequently became an equity partner and headed the firm's appellate group. She served as president of the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois and sat on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee from 1996 to 2002. She argued numerous appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court.

    Ruth left her accomplished legal career to become a Lutheran minister. After studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and interning at Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, Ruth became the pastor of Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago in 2001. Under her leadership, the church launched successful efforts to build the congregation, raise funds for the church's physical rehabilitation, and connect the church to the community.

  • July 19, 2012 | People
    Victor C. Rochelle 1918-2012

    Victor C. Rochelle, 93, Normal, died at on June 23, 2012 at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal.

    He was born Nov. 4, 1918, in El Reno, Okla., the son of Floyd Emerson and Goldie Opal Dunbar Rochelle. He married Patricia Leary on March 20, 1964, in Chicago. She survives.

    Vic served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Jet during World War II and continued his service in the reserves for 16 years, retiring as a commander. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was active with the swim team and glee club. He earned his law degree at Columbia University School of Law, New York, and first practiced law in McAllen, Texas. Vic was later a lawyer for Country Companies in Chicago and Bloomington for 40 years. He was a member of the Elks, American Legion, McLean County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and the Texas Bar Association. He was also selected for membership in the International Association of Insurance Counsel and listed in Who’s Who in American Law.

    Vic loved to read, swim, travel and follow sports, especially Illinois Wesleyan University Titans basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Dallas Cowboys football. He moved to Texas at the age of 5 and always considered himself a Texan.

  • July 19, 2012 | People
    Robert A. Watts 1936-2012

    Robert Allan Watts, 75, of Champaign, passed away on June 25, in Holland, Mich. Mr. Watts was a long-time summer resident of the Lakeshore.

    Mr. Watts was born in Adrian on July 4, 1936, to Richard Prosser Watts and Florence Hooker Watts.

    After his mother died in 1942, he went to live with his aunt and uncle, Margaret and Anthony Janata of Urbana, Ill. The Janatas were also long-time summer residents and retirees on the Lakeshore.

    He married Emily Stipes on Aug. 31, 1958, in Champaign. She survives.

    Also surviving are his three sons, Benjamin Hooker Watts (Judith Argentieri) of Champaign, Edward Stipes Watts (Stephanie Wengert Watts) of East Lansing and Thomas Janata Watts of Saugatuck; four grandchildren, Anton and Alexander Watts of East Lansing and Olivia and Samuel Watts of Champaign, Ill.; his sister, Sally Watts Dawson (Robert Dawson) of Richmond, Va.; a sister-in-law, Joan Watts of Atlanta; and seven nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, the Janatas, his brother Richard and his half-brother Christopher.

  • July 18, 2012 | People
    Michael P. Schostok 1961-2012

    Michael P. Schostok, 51, a former member of the Illinois State Bar Association's Board of Governors, passed away on Sunday at his Libertyville home after a battle with brain cancer.

    Mr. Schostok practiced personal injury law, specializing in medical malpractice and catastrophic injury matters as a principal in the firm of Salvi, Schostok, and Pritchard of Chicago and Waukegan. He earned his J.D. at Capital University Law School, 1986, a B.S. in 1983 from Miami University and attended Loyola Academy. He grew up in Riverwoods. Michael was an outdoorsman and naturalist all his life.

    He was the beloved husband of Appellate Justice Mary Schostok (nee Seminara); and loving father of Marisa, Gina, and Michael; son of Kathleen Kapsa and the late Steven Schostok; brother of Stephen (Sheila) Schostok, Bradley Schostok; and sister, Katherine (Jonathan) Cunha; stepson of Dr. Patricia Schostok Reese; uncle of many.

    Visitation will be Thursday, July 19, 3 to 8 p.m. at Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave (2 Blocks South of Dundee Rd) Wheeling. Michael will lie in state Friday 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish; 121 E. Maple, Libertyville until time of Life Celebration Mass at 11 a.m. Interment Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.

  • July 16, 2012 | People
    Robert G. Cronson 1924-2012

    Robert G. Cronson, 87, of Springfield, died Tuesday, July 3 at St. John's Hospice after a lengthy illness.

    Robert was born December 23, 1924 in Chicago, the son of Berthold and Ethel Cronson. He married Agnes Kohorst on December 5, 1987.

    After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946, he earned a B.A. in Economics from Dartmouth College. He then entered the University of Chicago Law School and was awarded a law degree in 1950. Mr. Cronson was elected in 1974 to serve as Illinois' first Constitutional Auditor General, a position he served faithfully for 17 years.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, and one brother.

    He is survived by his wife, Agnes Cronson of Springfield; two sons; two daughters; nine grandchildren; and three step-children.

    Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

    Services have been held.

    Memorial contributions may be made to: Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702.

    Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.

  • July 10, 2012 | People
    Charles Moynihan Evans 1976-2012

    Charles “Charlie” Moynihan Evans, age 35, passed away in his Chicago home on July 6, 2012 after a bold and arduous two year battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Champaign, Illinois on July 28, 1976 to Mr. And Mrs. Charles Victor and Ruth Ann Evans, and he spent his childhood in Belleville and Champaign.

    During his youth Charlie was very active at Indian Acres Swim Club in Champaign as a beloved coach, life guard, and seasoned member of the swim team. He was also a member of the St. Matthew’s Youth Group. Charlie is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, where he led the swim team, and the experiences and friendships he formed in Champaign enriched his life.

    Charlie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 with a degree in Economics, and after spending time in Taiwan teaching English, he returned to the University of Illinois College of Law, where he graduated in 2003 summa cum laude and was an Articles Editor of the school’s Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

    Charlie enjoyed his legal career, especially his clerkships with the Honorable James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He proudly ended his career as an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission.

    Charlie met his wife Tiana Nell Evans in law school in 2002. They married in Evanston on December 20, 2008. The couple has two precious sons, Charles John “Jack” Evans, age 2, and Patrick Moynihan Evans, age 1. They were Charlie’s proudest accomplishments and will be his lasting legacy.

  • July 9, 2012 | People
    Peter C. Kostantacos 1924-2012

    Peter C. Kostantacos, 88, passed away on June 11 at Provena St. Anne Center after a lingering illness. He was born Feb. 14, 1924 in Rockford, the son of Charles and Metaxia (Heotis) Kostantacos.

    He attended Rockford schools and in 1942, he enrolled in Beloit College. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve. After one semester, he received his notice to report to active duty. Peter became a B17 pilot assigned to the 31st Bomber Group of the Fifteenth Air Force. While co-piloting a return from a mission over Yugoslavia in 1945, his plane took enemy fire and went down in the Adriatic Sea. Of the 10 crew members, Peter was one of 7 survivors to raft to a nearby island. They all were eventually brought back safely and he flew 11 more missions.

    After the war, he returned to Beloit College, he became a Life Loyal member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and received his undergraduate degree in 1948. He enrolled in U. of Michigan and received his law degree in 1952. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1952.

    Soon thereafter, he was hired by the firm of Thomas and Davis located in the Talcott Building where he maintained his law practice for almost 60 years. Among his valued clients were Rock Valley College, Woodward, Clinton Electronics, HCI, and many fine individuals and their families. He was instrumental in establishing the Rock Valley Community College District. He served there as the attorney for the Board of Trustees for many years.