The Bar News

Bar News Sections

People

  • 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
    Howard T. Goffen to receive ABA's Pro Bono Publico Award

    Howard T. Goffen, a pro bono attorney at LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation), will receive the prestigious American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico award for his work on behalf of low income individuals across Cook County. Goffen is one of only five winners throughout the country who will be honored on August 6, 2012 during the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago.

    For more than seven years since his retirement from the private sector, Goffen has devoted more than 7,000 hours of pro bono legal services to his clients at LAF. He has been primary counsel or co-counseled more than 120 cases and has helped his clients in numerous, life-altering ways. He has prevented the loss of client’s homes through loan modification, prevented the termination of Social Security benefits, defended hospital collections lawsuits and garnered unemployment benefits.

    “Howard’s impact on LAF’s clients is enormous and he is more deserving of this award than any  other attorney that I have come across in my career,” said Diana C. White, Executive Director of LAF. “He comes in early, stays late and readily gives up his day off if need be. His dedication, tenacity, compassion and humility make him the gold standard for pro bono attorneys.”

    2 comments (Most recent July 19, 2012)
  • 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.

  • July 9, 2012 | People
    Thomas Michael Lamkin 1934-2012

    Thomas Michael Lamkin, 78, of Clinton passed away on June 12 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

    Tom was born on Jan. 25, 1934, in Watson, the son of Raymond and Myrtle (Sprinkle) Lamkin. He married Nancy West on Sept. 19, 1975.

    Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy Lamkin; seven children, Dan (Rhonda) Matthews, Tracy (Chris) Ryan, Sarah (Jay) Peterson, Julie Lamkin, Tom (Diane) Lamkin Jr., Kathleen (Don) Penn and Maria Dolbeare; one sister, Rita Lockard; 11 grandchildren, Meghan, Connor, Joey, Dexter, Dustin, Alyssa, Drew, Colin, Austin, Andrew and Matthew; and six great-grandchildren.

    He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Raymond Lamkin.

    Tom was a graduate of Effingham High School and the University of Illinois Law School. He was an attorney for 51 years. He also was a former DeWitt County state's attorney.

    He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

    Tom enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and gardening. Most importantly, he loved his family and will deeply be missed.

    Memorials may be made to Angel Tree, Presbyterian Church Youth Group or First Christian Church Food Bank.

    Online condolences may be emailed to www.calvertmemorial.com.

  • July 9, 2012 | People
    Patrick "Rick" Davis 1954-2012

    Patrick Carl "Rick" Davis, 58, of Carrollton, died June 15 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

    He was born on April 28, 1954 in Alton, and was the son of Carl F. & Patricia (Wall) Davis. Rick grew up in Alton, and graduated in 1972 from Alton Senior High School, where he was president of the National Honor Society. He went on to the University of Illinois where he graduated with B.A. in Accounting, and obtained his law degree from Illinois State University in Normal. He was currently employed as an attorney with the Gustine & Theivagt LTD. law firm in Carrollton and was a member of the Greene County Bar Association, and a former member of the Carrollton Lions Club. He married the former Elaine Turner on Sept. 13, 1997 at the First Assembly of God in Jerseyville, and they have shared nearly 15 wonderful years together. Surviving are his wife, Elaine Davis of Carrollton; his mother, Patricia Davis of Jacksonville; a brother & sister in law, Edward & Laura Davis of Gillespie; his mother in law, Anna Turner of Jerseyville; a brother in law & sister in law, Rev. Terry & Debbie Turner of Virden; a sister in law, Tammy Purcell of Jerseyville; numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful canine companion, Otis. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials would be appreciated to Simplicity of St. Louis, which is a church recently established by his niece & her husband, Revs. Shaun & Shelly Williamson.
  • July 5, 2012 | People
    ISBA Past President John O'Brien named vice president with Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund

    John G. O’Brien, one of the most recognized attorneys in Illinois, has been named vice president and counsel at Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG). O’Brien has resigned from the ATG Board of Directors to assume his new responsibilities; Chicago attorney Jonathan Sherry replaced him.

    O’Brien, who has practiced law in Arlington Heights since 1972, was president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) in 2009-10 and is past president and current chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA), an organization he founded in 1994. IRELA, composed of real estate attorneys from all corners of Illinois, is the only bar association that represents the interests solely of real estate attorneys. ATG and IRELA have partnered over the years to advocate for real estate attorneys and the clients they serve.

    Largely through O’Brien’s advocacy efforts in the mid-90s, IRELA filed a lawsuit against a large Chicago-area realtor to prevent its agents from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law by their efforts to offer what amounted to legal advice to home buyers. IRELA won the lawsuit and continues, according to the ISBA, “to serve as a watchdog to prevent non-lawyers from offering what are essentially legal services to home buyers and sellers.” The impact of this ruling is clear not only for attorneys but also for the clients they represent.