Obituaries

Maria De La Luz Guzman

Maria De La Luz Guzman

June 13, 2025

Maria De La Luz Guzman, nee Morales, age 79 of Plainfield, formerly of Brookfield. Beloved wife of Rafael Guzman, loving mother of Eva Guzman, Carolina (Jubenal) Arriaga, Adan (Claudia) Guzman, Jose Guzman, Miguel Guzman, Gustavo (Bibiana) Guzman, Rafael Guzman, Jesus (Tatiana) Guzman, Jaime Guzman, Isabel Guzman and Sandy Guzman, grandmother of many.

Norma J. Schmit

Norma J. Schmit

June 8, 2025

Norma Schmit, 101-years-old of Seminole Florida passed away peacefully at home on June 8 2025, having lived a long happy life.

Norma was born in Charleston, West Virginia to Emile and Gennie Michaux and grew up in Chicago IL with her parents and older siblings Irene and Marguerite.

Norma married John Schmit in 1949 and raised four children in Brookfield IL. Norma...

Mark Allen Zuhlke

Mark Allen Zuhlke

June 4, 2025

Mark Allen Zuhlke, 73, of Westchester, IL, passed away on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

Mark was a devoted & loving husband to his wife of 54 years, Denise (Price); a proud & supportive father to his three children and one son-in-law, Danielle Zuhlke-Smith (Michael Smith), Jessica Zuhlke, and Matthew Zuhlke; and an affectionate & doting Papa...

Robert F. Speciale

Robert F. Speciale

June 2, 2025

Robert F. Speciale, age 95 of Stickney. U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. Beloved husband of Lucy A. Speciale (nee Zvolanek), loving father of Anthony J. “Tony” (Rita) Speciale, Thomas F. “Tom” Speciale and Susan M. “Sue” (Robert J.) Senese, cherished grandfather of Robert J. Senese, Matthew T. (Gina) Senese, Brittni S. (Luis) Calderon, Patty Hume, Alyssa Meservey and great grandfather...

Albert Leonard Matozzi

Albert Leonard Matozzi

June 2, 2025

Albert Leonard Matozzi, age 94 of Lyons, formerly of LaGrange Park and Chicago. U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran. Beloved husband of the late Geraldine Irene (nee Naessens) Matozzi, loving father of Michael (Debra) Matozzi, Steven (Donna) Matozzi and Albert Matozzi, cherished grandfather of Michelina Matozzi, Michael Matozzi Jr. and Anthony Matozzi, dear brother of the late Nicholas Matozzi, fond uncle...

David Thomas Knoebber

David Thomas Knoebber

May 28, 2025

David (Dave) Thomas Knoebber – art educator, artist, gardener, husband, father, and friend to many in the Chicago and Galena Illinois, New Buffalo and Three Oaks Michigan, and Naples Florida communities, died on May 28, 2025 after a recurrence of melanoma.

Born in Galena, Illinois on August 14, 1936, David was the son of William and Elizabeth Knoebber, and younger brother...

Georgette Brokopp

Georgette Brokopp

May 20, 2025

Georgette Brokopp, nee Lozano, age 65 of Brookfield. Beloved wife of John G. Brokopp and cherished mother of Jonathan G. and Joshua W. Brokopp. Georgette worked as a nurse and enjoyed spending her time crafting and tending to her garden. Georgette began her health care career as an LPN and worked her way through school after marriage to become an...

Dalores A. Emeritz

Dalores A. Emeritz

May 19, 2025

Dalores A. Emeritz, age 102, of Wylie, TX, peacefully passed away on May 19, 2025. Born on April 10, 1923, she was a cherished daughter, sister, sister-in-law, niece, aunt and friend. She is survived by her lifelong friend and sister-in-law Mary Emeritz (nee Sepesy), nieces and nephews Judith Siwak (nee Emeritz), Eric Emeritz, Robert Emeritz, Colette (Rich) Siemrzuch, Christine (Steven)...

Amy Lynne Horvat

Amy Lynne Horvat

May 4, 2025

Amy Lynne Horvat nee Hilvert, 55 of La Grange Park, IL passed away at home with her son and daughter on May 4th, 2024.  Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 30, 1969, Amy graduated with a degree in Psychology from Elmhurst University this May. She spent many years as a dedicated human resources manager and director and was known for...

Athanasios H. "Tom" Georgalis

Athanasios H. "Tom" Georgalis

May 4, 2025

Athanasios H. “Tom” Georgalis, age 91 of Lombard. Beloved husband of Demetra (nee Haralambopoulos) Georgalis, loving father of Tina (Dan Zagajewski) Devereux and Harry (Paula Morris) Georgalis, cherished grandfather of Nicole (Matthew) Porter, Anthony (Aleks) Devereux, Deidra (Omar) Velgara, Tommy (Tara) Georgalis, Elaine Georgalis and great grandfather of Antonio Velgara and Angelo Velgara.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family...

Ellen Frances Ferone

Ellen Frances Ferone

April 25, 2025

Ellen Frances Ferone, nee Doutlick, age 74 of La Grange. Beloved wife of Ralph Ferone, loving mother of Ellen Stacy (Bill) McKenna and Sarah (Casey Liscum) Ferone, cherished grandmother of Alyssa McKenna, Natalie McKenna and Kier Liscum, dear sister of Edward Doutlick, Daniel (Mary Ellen) Doutlick and Dawn (Terry) Downs, fond aunt to many. Ellen will be remembered for her...

Denise A. Polerecky

Denise A. Polerecky

April 24, 2025

Denise Ann Marie Polerecky née McEnerney, age 78 of Westchester, formerly of Brookfield, Cicero and Chicago passed away at her home on April 24, 2025. Denise graduated from St Mary High School in 1965, attended Morton College and was a long-time employee of Mid America Bank.

Beloved wife of the late Lud Polerecky, daughter of the late Anna and Denis McEnerney....

Daniel Robert Gribben

Daniel Robert Gribben

April 8, 2025

Daniel Robert Gribben, age 70 of Brookfield, formerly of Berwyn.

Daniel was born at Loretto Hospital in Chicago and raised in Berwyn, Illinois. He graduated from Morton West High School in 1972 and was an honor student in math and science. He played varsity football, basketball, baseball and track. He was part of the “Prep Football All-Star Team” in 1971 and...

Christopher M. George

Christopher M. George

March 25, 2025

Christopher M. George passed away March 25, 2025 surrounded by his family. Chris was a devoted husband to his wife Lorna for over fifty years and father to Andy (Loretta), Matt (Traci), Tom, Liz (Lester). He was an adoring grandfather to Cora, Luke, Penelope, Olivia and Ryan. He is also survived by his brother Jeff (Kerry) and was a friend...

Michael Elias Schmidt

Michael Elias Schmidt

March 24, 2025

Michael Elias Schmidt, age 35, of Stickney. Beloved son of Annamaria (Jay) Schmidt, loving father of Ayla, dear brother of David Serapin, cherished nephew to Dr. Mary F. Schmidt, Karen (late Wayne) Piest, Barbara (Billy) Murphy, David Schmidt, Joseph (Melissa) Schmidt and Gregory Schmidt, fond cousin of Tom (Mandee) Novak, Edward Schmidt, Jennifer (John) Schmidt, William (Jocelyn) Schmidt, Miranda Schmidt,...

David Arthur Thompson

David Arthur Thompson

March 5, 2025

David Arthur Thompson, born on July 29, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, departed this life on March 5, 2025, in Berwyn, Illinois. He grew to be a man of hard work and dedication, spending a significant part of his career at Brad Foote Gear Works in Cicero, Illinois, where he made many contributions and forged lasting friendships.

David is survived by his...

Jimmie M. McFarland Sr.

Jimmie M. McFarland Sr.

March 3, 2025

Jimmie M. McFarland Sr., age 80 of Cicero, United States Army Vietnam Veteran. Beloved husband of the late Nancy Lee McFarland, nee Connick, loving father of Jimmie M. Jr. (Gladys) McFarland and Billy R. McFarland, cherished grandfather of Zachary D. McFarland, Matthew G. McFarland and Imanuel Sanjurjo, dear brother of Glenda Olson, Sarah Weeks, Dinah Parman and Susan Sepulveda, fond...

Robert Walter Kassner

Robert Walter Kassner

March 2, 2025

Robert Walter Kassner, age 85 of LaGrange Park. Beloved husband of Diane Kassner nee Weaver, loving father of Charles (Diana) Blackwell, Erik (Kristen) Blackwell, Stacey Ann Blackwell, Mario (Catherine) Blackwell, Reggio (Jacqueline) Blackwell and Rachel (Kenneth) Keisler, cherished grandfather of 17, dear brother of Thomas (late Marcia) Kassner and Richard Kassner, fond cousin of John Tokar. 

Ellen J. Thorburn

Ellen J. Thorburn

March 2, 2025

Ellen J. Thorburn nee Drinan, age 81, of Brookfield. Beloved wife of the late Gerald J. “Jerry” Thorburn, loving mother of James (Lynn) Thorburn and the late Patrick (Kathy) Thorburn, cherished grandmother of Tyler Netzel, dear sister of Tom Drinan, Jim (Elaine) Drinan and Kate (Sam Robinson) Drinan, fond aunt and great-aunt to many. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to National...

Joseph E. Michalowski

Joseph E. Michalowski

February 18, 2025

Joseph E. Michalowski, age 96 of Glen Ellyn, formerly of Brookfield, United States Army Korean War Veteran. Beloved husband of Rose Michalowski, nee Ulman, loving father of Joseph (Maureen) Michalowski, Michael (Gina) Michalowski, Allan (Sandy) Michalowski and the late David (Kathy Kuchar) Michalowski, cherished grandfather of Megan (Jon) Edwards, Lori (Jeff, Fiancé) , Kevin (Tricia), Jacob (Sammy), Luke, Matthew (Annee),...