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Obituaries

  • September 16, 2015 | People
    Mary "Molly" Margaret Lien 1948-2015

    Molly Warner Lien, age 67, died on Sept. 11, 2015, at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids as a result of cardiomyopathy and complications of heart surgery. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 26, 1948, the only child of the late Cornelius and Donna (Dora M.) Beukema. She grew up in Homewood, Illinois, and she attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, and finished her last two years of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, graduating in 1966 with a major in voice. She won the concerto competition twice at the Arts Camp and again during her senior year at the Arts Academy. She also played the leads in several productions, including those by Gilbert & Sullivan, and the high school musical.

    After attending the University of Michigan her freshman year, she graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in music. She sang numerous operatic roles, but ultimately was drawn to a career in law. She graduated with honors from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta in 1978 where she was President of the Women’s Law Student Association, Articles Editor of the Law Review, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary Society, and a member of the Order of the Coif. She was also voted the Wall Street Journal Award by the Faculty for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the field of law.

  • September 1, 2015 | People
    Donald Hoppe 1947-2015

    Donald Hoppe, age 67, a lifelong resident of the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn area, passed away at home with his family on Thursday, August 27, 2015. He was born on September 19, 1947.

    Don grew up in Wheaton and graduated from Wheaton Central High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his J.D. from the University of Illinois. Don was a passionate medical malpractice defense attorney, working for firms in Chicago including Kirkland & Ellis, Peterson & Ross, and Johnson & Bell. In recent years he practiced with his wife, Karren.

    Don was an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, where he taught on trial practice and professional liability. He enjoyed sports and coached his children in both baseball and basketball. He loved rescuing animals, traveling, and rooting for the Chicago White Sox (and whoever played the Cubs). He was an active member of the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church.

    Don is survived by his wife Karren; his daughter, Michelle; his sons, Steve and Bryan; his granddaughter, Brooklyn; and his two dogs, Lady and Fred.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson and Alice Hoppe.

    A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 3, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 4, at 11 a.m. at the Wheaton Evangelical Free Church (now known as the Compass Church), 520 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187.

  • August 27, 2015 | People
    Thomas Ronald Jasinski-Herbert 1938-2015

    Thomas Ronald “T. Ron” Jasinski-Herbert was born November 1, 1938 and passed away August 17, 2015

    Beloved son of the late Leona "Lee" Jasinski Herbert and the late Thomas H. Herbert, cherished nephew and godson of Loretta Sobocinski (Lori Sobin) and nephew of Michael K. (the late Rosemary) Jasinski, devoted cousin of Karen Mackay, Jeanine (Richard) Galati, Patricia (Ken) Brendecke, the late Suzanne Luckew, and many others across the country. He also leaves behind a myriad of lifelong friends in Chicago and around the world.

    T. Ron earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University, and LLB and JD degrees also from DePaul University and remained an active alumnus.

  • August 16, 2015 | People
    Leslie Ann Koczur 1955-2015

    Leslie Ann Koczur, 60, of Hinsdale passed away on August 11th.

    She recently retired from her position as Director of Regulatory Projects at ComEd after a long career with the company. She worked with Illinois regulatory officials and legislators, and with municipal officials on numerous projects, including the modernization of the electric grid in Illinois to increase generation capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce electric outages. One of her notable projects was working on legislation that transformed the electric system in Illinois into one of the most successful competitive retail systems in the United States, saving consumers billions of dollars in electric rates.

    Previously, she served as the Chief-of-Staff to the Illinois President of SBC Communications, the Manager of Federal Governmental Affairs for Nicor, and as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General.

    Leslie had a passion for traveling and outdoor activities, but especially for spending time with her family and many friends.

    Leslie received a Juris Doctor Degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1981, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from John Carroll University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1977.

  • August 13, 2015 | People
    Brett K. Gorman 1966-2015

    Brett Keller Gorman, 48, of 1845 Jersey, Quincy, died Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2015.

    Brett was born Nov. 30, 1966, in Urbana, the son of Dennis and Barbara Keller Gorman.

    He graduated from Quincy High School in 1985 and the University of Illinois in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and the Acacia fraternity.

    In 1992 he earned his juris doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law and was admitted to the Illinois Bar.

    On Jan. 9, 1993, he married Deborah K. Grandcolas in Belleville, and she survives.

    For 23 years, Brett practiced law in the area of civil litigation, first with Bullaro, Carton & Stone in Chicago and then, beginning in 1996, with the law firm of Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP in Quincy, where he was a partner.

    Brett's professional expertise and scholarly talent as a trial lawyer were recognized in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with the designation of "Super Lawyer" in Illinois in the area of business litigation. Brett served by appointment on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee since 2008 and had been the committee's chair since 2013.

  • August 11, 2015 | People
    Charles W. "Bill" King 1934-2015

    Charles W. "Bill" King, longtime Edwardsville attorney, died August 5, 2015 at 12:18 am.

    Mr. King was born September 27, 1934 in Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, IL to Dorothy (Steckler) King and Charles Grover King, spending the first years of his life on his maternal grandparents' farm, then moving with his parents during the World War II years to Nashville, TN.

    He graduated from Father Ryan High School in Nashville and was then admitted to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. He spoke of his days in Nashville, holding many jobs including working as a laborer-assistant "dynamite man," blasting rock for sewer construction, and selling souvenirs at the Grand Ole Opry, then held in the Ryman Auditorium, seeing all the great performers of that era and once performing as Tom Sawyer in a playhouse production with the late Mrs. Sarah Cannon, widely known as "Minnie Pearl," who Mr. King remembered as "a lovely person".

    At Notre Dame, Mr. King was the Wing Commander of the 300 Unit Air Force ROTC and received an award from the American Legion. He worked his way through Notre Dame, primarily as a promotional writer and member of the production crew at the CBS-TV affiliate in South Bend, WSBT-TV.

  • August 7, 2015 | People
    Amy Leonas 1976-2015

    Amy Leonas, 39, beloved daughter of Ted and Marla Leonas. Loving sister of Melinda Leonas, Lynsey (Casey) Johnston, Carley Leonas, Elizabeth Leonas and Teddy Leonas. Cherished aunt of Eva Johnston. Best friend of cousin Jennifer (Connor) Ford. Amy was preceded in death by her biological mother, Carole Brady. She was fond of her many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

    Amy was an attorney. She was a graduate of Valparaiso University and received her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Amy began her law career as a Cook County Assistant States Attorney where she spent a great deal of time prosecuting cases in the domestic violence division. Eventually Amy branched into entertainment law, where she served as legal advisor to the Daytime Emmy Award winning "Judge Pirro" show, followed by her last positions where she served as legal advisor for ITV's nationally syndicated "Jeremy Kyle" and "Bill Cunningham" television shows in New York City.

    Amy enjoyed a number of close friends, many of which were law school classmates and former colleagues, who played an instrumental role in helping both Amy and her family cope with Amy's terminal diagnosis, and her 20-month courageous battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

    Services are being held privately. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Amy Leonasto the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA.org), 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631, and/or the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research (Virtualtrials.com) 1100 Peninsula Blvd, Hewlett, NY 11557. Arrangements by Gerardi Funeral Home, Frankfort, IL, 815 469-2144. Sign our guestbook at: gerardifuneralhome online.com

  • August 5, 2015 | People
    Robert E. Bradney 1923-2015

    Robert E. Bradney (“Brad”), born August 10, 1923, passed away after a brief illness on July 15, 2015. A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Brad lived a life that transcended his humble roots.

    He was president of his senior class at both Jacksonville High School and Illinois College. During World War II, he served with the 76th Infantry Division, 1943-1946, in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany, and was awarded a Purple Heart. Back in the states, he  earned a JD at Harvard Law School in 1950, then returned to Jacksonville where he spent the next half century as a trial lawyer in the firm now known as Rammelkamp Bradney Attorneys at Law.

    A member of the Illinois State Bar Association, he served on many committees over the years, and earned multiple awards and honors, including the Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors Award, induction into the first class of Laureates by the ISBA, and Pillar of the Bar in the Seventh Judicial Circuit for his distinguished professional and community activities. He was a sought-after lecturer to lawyer groups for his expertise in legal ethics and trial tactics.

    He served his community in a number of leadership roles at Trinity Episcopal Church, the YMCA, Morgan County Red Cross, Illinois College, and Passavant Hospital.

  • July 13, 2015 | People
    Robert C. Strodel 1930-2015

    Peoria attorney Robert C. Strodel passed away Monday, June 8, 2015, in Peoria, Ill. He was 84.

    Born Aug. 12, 1930, in Evanston, Ill., to Imogen (Board) Strodel and Carl F. Strodel, he was a 1952 graduate of Northwestern University, a 1955 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and was admitted to the Illinois Bar that same year.

    He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and afterwards in the Army Reserves.

    Bob married Mary Alice (Shonkwiler) Strodel on June 17, 1956, in Monticello, Ill.

    He is survived by his wife and his three daughters, Julie Olson of Wilmette, Ill., Lindy Strodel of Tinley Park, Ill., and Sally Munn of Bethesda, Md.; plus three granddaughters, Kathryn Olson, Lindsey Olson and Taylor Munn.

    Strodel was a former Assistant State's Attorney, and his private practice focused on civil litigation and personal injury litigation. He authored and published two books on the acquisition and use of medical evidence.

  • July 1, 2015 | People
    Patrick F. Healy 1931-2015

    Patrick F. Healy, age 84 Veteran of U.S. Army, Korean War.

    Former Cook County States Attorney, Assistant U.S. Federal Attorney, member of C.B.A., I.S.B.A. and A.B.A. Former Executive Director of the National District Attorney Association and Executive Director Chicago Crime Commission. Patrick was a Eucharistic Minister and he also did hospice work.

    Devoted husband of 57 years to the late Della M. (nee Burns). Loving father of the late Colette, Patrick Jr. (Maureen), Colleen (Gregory) Gambla, Daniel, Beth (George) Vlahos and the late Baby John Healy. Cherished grandfather of Timothy, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sophia, Spiros, Patrick, and Jack.

    Dear son of the late Francis and Katherine Healy. Fond brother of Frank (the late Betty) Healy, Rosemary (the late John) Adams, Dudley (Nancy) Healy, Margaret Healy and the late Gwen Bucholz.

    In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The American Cancer Society, 17060 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477 would be appreciated.