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Obituaries

  • February 17, 2016 | People
    Edward Durree 1949-2016

    Edward R. Durree, 66, of Peoria passed away at 5:12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria after an ongoing fight with cancer, surrounded by his loving family, including his two children, two sisters, his ex-wife, best friends and his beloved dog, Cloe.

    Ed was born on June 2, 1949, in Streator, Ill., to John Reynold and Gladys Lucille (Birtwell) Durree.

    Surviving are his two children, Sara Elizabeth Durree and Benjamin Ray (Kristina) Durree, both of Peoria; one grandchild; and his two sisters, Rebecca Manigold and Jane Briner. Also surviving are his cherished nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much.

    1 comment (Most recent February 19, 2016)
  • February 10, 2016 | People
    William C. (Bill) Prather 1921-2016

    William C. (Bill) Prather, 94, of Toledo, Illinois died on Saturday morning, January 16, 2016 while recuperating at Cumberland Rehab & Health Care, Greenup, Illinois. Respecting the wishes of William C. Prather, no funeral nor memorial service is scheduled. 

    Bill Prather was born February 20, 1921 in Toledo, the only child of Hollie Cartmill Prather and Effie Ferne (Deppen) Prather. He is survived by several cousins and many friends. 

    Bill was a 1938 graduate of Casey High School, Casey, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1942 where, with Betty Stiglitz, he was Co-President of the Student Government Association. Bill received his Juris Doctorate degree, also from the University of Illinois, in 1947 and was admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court that same year. Bill was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1978. 

  • February 10, 2016 | People
    Theodore 'Ted' Spak 1932-2016

    Theodore ("Ted") Spak, 83, passed away January 20, 2016. An attorney, CPA, businessman, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ted was a diamond life master and certified bridge teacher, as well as a devoted philanthropist.

    Ted was born in Chicago, and attended Northwestern University, graduating with an accounting degree in 1953 and from the law school in 1956. After practicing law from 1956-62, he established Theodore Spak & Associates, a public insurance adjusting firm, where he served as President until his retirement. He relocated to Miami, Florida in 1976.

  • February 9, 2016 | People
    Philip J. Rock 1937-2016

    Philip Rock, an Oak Park Democrat who led the Illinois Senate as its president during his 22 years in Springfield, died early Friday.

    Rock, 78, first rose to the post of Illinois Senate president in 1979 and left the Senate in 1993.

    His obituary describes him as "a Catholic, a Democrat and a Cubs fan ... but not necessarily in that order."

    He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheila, as well as three daughters and a son.

    State Sen. Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, remembered Rock as a mentor.

  • February 4, 2016 | People
    Former ISBA Executive Director John H. Dickason 1931-2016

    Former ISBA Executive Director John H. Dickason, 84, of Coral Gables, FL passed away February 2, 2016. He was born June 3, 1931 in Wooster, OH, a twin son of the late Donald E. and Martha (Hamilton) Dickason. He graduated from Champaign, IL High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from Dartmouth College. John and his wife Barbara (Bobbie) were married June 20, 1953 in Christ Episcopal Church, Bronxville, NY. He served in the U.S. Army (1954-1956).

    He was Director of Administrative Services for the Illinois State Bar Association from 1960-1970 and then served as Executive Director until 1985. In 1985 he became the Vice President for Finance and Administration of the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust which assisted basic medical researchers.  

  • February 3, 2016 | People
    Kurt Peter Klein 1943-2016

    The Honorable Judge Kurt Peter Klein, 72, Sycamore, Illinois passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, in Arizona with his beloved wife, Linda by his side. 

    Kurt was born September 30, 1943, to Edmund and Rose (Ortman) Klein. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan. He graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago and DePaul University Law School. He began his legal career as an Assistant for the Cook County States Attorney's Office. He moved to DeKalb County in 1977 where he became a contributing member of the DeKalb County community. He served as the First Assistant in the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office. He was a founding member of the Gallagher, Klein and Brady law firm. He was an attorney for 43 years and served as a Judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit for the last 17 years of his career, 11 years as Presiding Judge of DeKalb County. During his time as judge he was an integral part of the historical preservation and recent courthouse expansion as well as being a leading force in creating the 23rd judicial circuit, DeKalb and Kendall Counties. He also established the first Juvenile Safe House for at risk youth.

  • January 21, 2016 | People
    Charles Palmer 1931-2016

    Charles L. "Charlie" Palmer, 84, of Savoy passed away at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana on Wednesday morning (Jan. 13, 2016) with his family by his side.

    Charlie was born on May 18, 1931, to Walter and Gertrude June (McKinley) Palmer in Champaign. He was married to Barbara Palmer from 1957 to 1974. He married Roberta "Bobbie" Palmer on June 9, 1975, in Champaign.

    Charlie, a 1957 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, practiced in Champaign County for 53 years. The majority of his career was in private practice at Franklin, Flynn & Palmer (now Flynn, Palmer, Tague & Jacobson). Previously he served as assistant state's attorney and assistant city attorney for Champaign as well as interim public defender for Champaign County and outside counsel for the University of Illinois.

  • January 14, 2016 | People
    Roger Pascal 1941-2015

    Attorney Roger Pascal, a litigator who spent 50 years with the firm of Schiff Hardin in Chicago, also did pro bono work for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, where his legal skills served some of the state's most disadvantaged citizens.

    "Roger was a passionate, passionate advocate, particularly for people who couldn't afford a champion or didn't have one," said Thomas Quinn, who succeeded Pascal as the Schiff Hardin practice group leader for litigation in Chicago.

  • January 13, 2016 | People
    Robert T. Guilfoyle 1936-2015

    Robert T. Guilfoyle 79, born in Chicago on March 23, 1936; Bob was a Navy Veteran, and a graduate of DePaul School of Law. He retired from Allstate Insurance Company after working many years as an attorney. He passed away after a short illness on the night of December 27, 2015. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jacqueline nee Gaudin. He is survived by his cousins Michael (Mary) Guilfoyle and Gregory Kelly, and his niece Margaret Gaudin. Visitation Tuesday, January 5th from 4:00 pm to 9:00pm at the Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. (Northwest Highway/Route 14 at Rand Road), Des Plaines where prayers will be held Wednesday 9:15 am prior to 10:00 am Mass at St. Emily Catholic Church, 1400 E. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect. Interment All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Rd., Des Plaines. For further information and directions, call 847-824-5155 or www.oehlerfuneralhome.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailyherald/obituary.aspx?pid=177119293...

  • January 13, 2016 | People
    Patrick J. Schauer 1953-2015

    Patrick J. Schauer, 62, of Wheaton, IL passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 27, 2015. He was born January 13, 1953 in Ft. Wayne, IN. He moved to Illinois to attend Northwestern University and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Norlegama Honor Society. In 1975 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc), Communication and Media Studies. He then attended Indiana University, Bloomington, IN where he received a Doctor of Law (J.D), Trial Practice in 1979.