Epilogue
By Stephen Anderson
Adeline Geo-Karis served public in Zion, Springfield
Adeline Jay Geo-Karis devoted her professional life to public service, first as a Navy officer and then as an attorney, justice of the peace, mayor and state legislator.
A member of the Illinois State Bar Association since she graduated in 1942 from the DePaul University College of Law, Ms. Geo-Karis died Feb. 10 at age 89 at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview.
Born in Tegeas, Greece, on March 29, 1918, as Antigone Geokaris, she entered the United States at age 4 with her family. She worked her way through college and law school, and joined the Navy.
Earning the rank of lieutenant commander, she had top secret clearance as a legal officer in discipline cases. After four years of duty, she was discharged at Great Lakes and opened a law office in Zion.
The first woman to practice in Lake County courts, Ms. Geo-Karis also was an assistant state’s attorney and an elected justice of the peace. During her legislative tenure, she also was mayor of Zion from 1987 to 1991.
Ms. Geo-Karis was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1972 and to the Illinois Senate in 1978. She served as an assistant majority leader and a member of the committees on Judiciary, Financial Institutions, State Government Operations, and Pensions and Investments, and the Senate Operations Commission.
Although a lifelong Republican, she was appointed co-chair of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments by the Democratic leadership in 2004.
In 2006, a loss in the primary election ended Ms. Geo-Karis’ continuous 34-year record of service. It had been only her second election challenge in 26 years.
At a birthday celebration two years ago, she was surprised by Senate colleagues with flowers and a unique tribute. Illinois Beach State Park, adjacent to her longtime district, was renamed the Adeline Geo-Karis State Park.
Frequently in need of a wheelchair in recent years, Ms. Geo-Karis never admitted to feeling old. During her last session in the Senate, at age 88, she missed only one day, and that was to attend a funeral.
She was a past president of the parish council of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Waukegan and past grand president of the Daughters of Penelope Scholarship Foundation.
A monetary Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Award was created at Zion-Benton High School for graduating seniors who exemplify leadership, character and scholarship.
Elmer Johnson, civic leader
Chicago attorney Elmer W. Johnson Jr. (right), a partner in Jenner & Block, died Feb. 19 at age 75 of bladder cancer in Wickenburg, Ariz., where he had a winter home.
Mr. Johnson was the principal author of the Commercial Club of Chicago’s 1999 blueprint for the future, “Chicago Metropolis 2020: The Chicago Plan for the 21st Century,” an updated look at Daniel Burnham’s 1909 plan.
A 1957 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, he joined Kirkland & Ellis and was its managing partner from 1971 to 1993. During that time, he also was general counsel and executive vice president of General Motors.
President of the Aspen Institute from 1999 to 2002, he then joined Jenner & Block to help build its corporate practice.
Mr. Johnson served on several boards, including United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, which he formed in 2003 by coordinating the consolidation of 54 chapters. Other boards were the Economic Club of Chicago and the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.
Before his death, Mr. Johnson was writing a book, “Capitalism, Morality and the Public Interest,” which colleagues hope to publish.
Marvin Glink was founder of municipal law practice
Retired Chicago attorney Marvin Joel Glink, formerly of Naperville, died Feb. 7 at age 79 in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was a resident of Rio Verde.
A 1951 graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Mr. Glink practiced municipal law and represented countless villages, school and park districts until his retirement in 1998.
He and Louis Ancel were founding partners in the firm that is now Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Hefter. A brother, Ronald Morton Glink, also was a member of the firm.
President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association in 1973-74, Marvin Glink received its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
He served on the advisory board of the Municipal Legal Studies Center of the Southwestern Legal Foundation and was active in the World Peace Through Law Center and the Illinois Municipal League.
Among the municipalities he advised were Skokie, Bridgeview and Naperville. In retirement, he was a member of the Arizona Municipal Lawyers Association and Arizona Mentoring Council, and he served three terms as a commissioner of the Rio Verde Fire District.
Survivors include a son, Arlington Heights attorney Martin L. Glink, a member of the ISBA Tort Law Section Council and former Assembly member.
Irwin Askow
Chicago attorney Irwin Jules Askow, a former trustee and president of the Village of Winnetka, died Feb. 16 at age 92 of cancer in Evanston Hospital. He was of counsel to Tenney & Bentley.
A 1938 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Mr. Askow received its Distinguished Service Award in 1968. He provided funding for the school’s Irwin Askow Housing Initiative, for pro bono representation.
The American Civil Liberties Union honored him with its Roger Baldwin Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He served on the boards of the Welfare Council of Metropolitan Chicago, the North Shore Country Day School and the University Club of Chicago.
Robert Banks
Retired Danville attorney Robert James Banks Jr., a past president of the Vermilion County Bar Association, died Dec. 20 at age 90. He was of counsel to Kesler, Laury, Garman, Brougher, Lietz & Townsley.
A veteran of service in the Army Corps of Engineers in Europe during World War II, Mr. Banks graduated in 1947 from Harvard Law School and became a partner in the Danville firm of Sebat, Swanson, Banks, Garman & Townsley.
Former secretary of the Danville Zoning Committee and clerk-auditor of Blount Township, he was a past president of the Danville Kiwanis Club and Jaycees. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
William Barrett
Oak Park attorney William Henry Barrett died Feb. 17 at age 54 of colon cancer. He was a 1980 graduate of the Loyola University School of Law.
Mr. Barrett was an ordained elder and Sunday school teacher at Riverside Presbyterian Church and Flossmoor Community Church.
Arnold Briskman
Chicago attorney Arnold Briskman died March 1 at age 60 of lung cancer in his Riverwoods home. He was a founder in 1987 with a brother, Robert I. Briskman, of Briskman & Briskman, which also has offices in Waukegan and Joliet.
A 1972 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, Arnold Briskman was an assistant Illinois attorney general before entering private practice in personal injury and workers’ compensation.
Allen Collins
Collinsville attorney Allen Hart Collins, formerly of Granite City, died Jan. 8 at age 48 in Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. He was a 1985 graduate of the St. Louis University Law School.
William Cooney
Riverside attorney William Joseph Cooney died Feb. 6 at age 70, of cancer in Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital. He was a 1952 graduate of the Georgetown University Law School.
Mr. Cooney was with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Chicago from 1962 until 1965, when he joined McBride, Baker, Wienke & Schlosser. He retired in 2001 from McBride, Baker & Coles and worked part-time as an arbitrator for the National Association of Securities Dealers.
A pro bono attorney for the Chicago Volunteer Legal Service Foundation in the Pilsen neighborhood, Mr. Cooney served on the Riverside Public Library board and Riverside Planning Commission.
Sandra Devine
Retired attorney Sandra L. Arendt Devine of Carol Stream died Jan. 20 at age 61 of cancer. A 1978 graduate of The John Marshall Law School, she practiced briefly as an assistant Illinois attorney general before resigning to care for her children.
Mrs. Devine was a tutor of English for students from other countries at Cloverdale School. She served on the board of Trinity Lutheran School in Roselle.
Elected to the Hanover Park Park District board of commissioners in 1983, Mrs. Devine served three terms.
Edwin Gunn
Retired Chicago attorney Edwin Norman Gunn, formerly of Wilmette, died Jan. 30 at age 82 in Sarasota, Fla. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1950.
Audrey Hanrahan
Insurance attorney Audrey Susan Hanrahan, formerly of Chicago, died Feb. 4 at age 43 in Wellington, Fla., of injuries in a fall from a golf cart.
A 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Ms. Hanrahan practiced with Haskell & Perrin before joining the CNA, Zurich and Hartford insurance firms. She was a resident of South Glastonbury, Conn.
David Herbst
Chicago attorney David Ian Herbst died Feb. 3 at age 67 of leukemia. He had been a partner in Butler, Rubin, Saltarelli & Boyd since 2000.
A 1964 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Mr. Herbst began his commercial litigation practice with Holleb & Coff.
John Hough
Chicago attorney John Warren Hough died Feb. 5 at age 80 in Bonita Springs, Fla. A 1952 graduate of the Loyola University School of Law, he served in the Navy after high school.
Mr. Hough represented the American Hospital Supply Corp. for several years in contract negotiations around the globe. He also was managing trustee of a California shopping center and owner of radio stations in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Montana.
Mr. Hough took control of the Hanford Foundry Co. in San Bernardino in 1972 and brought it out of bankruptcy. He was the sole trustee of the H. H. Harris Foundation, which has awarded scholarships to students and professionals in the foundry industry since 1970.
Gerald Huber
Hillsboro attorney Gerald Patrick Huber died Jan. 15 at age 64 in his home. A 1973 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, he started his practice in Raymond before moving it to Hillsboro.
Mr. Huber served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and retired from the Naval Reserve as a captain after 25 years. He served on the Montgomery County Board of Review.
Survivors include a brother, retired 4th Circuit judge Dennis M. Huber.
Percy Julian
Wisconsin attorney Percy L. Julian Jr., formerly of Oak Park, died Feb. 24 at age 67 in Meriter Hospital, Madison. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, he handled cases through the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Morton Kaplan
Chicago attorney Morton Charles Kaplan died recently at age 71. He was a 1961 graduate of the Northwestern University School of Law.
Dale Kober
Waukegan attorney Dale Philip Kober died Feb. 11 at age 68 in Highland Park Hospital. A 1966 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he was an attorney with Chicago Title until he entered private practice in 1991.
A past president of the Waukegan Rotary Club, Mr. Kober served on the Lake County Building Commission.
Mitchell Mars
Assistant U.S. attorney Mitchell Allen Mars died Feb. 19 at age 55 of lung cancer, which was diagnosed after his prosecution of the “Family Secrets” mob trial ended in September.
A 1977 graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center, Mr. Mars joined the U.S. House of Representatives staff and worked for the select committee that investigated the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
He joined the Organized Crime Strike Force in Chicago in 1980 and became chief in 1992 after it merged with the U.S. attorney’s office.
Faryl Sims
Former Chicago banking attorney Faryl Sims Moss died Feb. 23 at age 63 in Atlanta, Ga., where she had been in private practice since 1995.
A graduate of the Emory University School of Law, Ms. Sims was a trust officer at the Continental National Bank and Trust Co. of Chicago before moving to Georgia and becoming a trust division manager for several banks.
Charles Murphy
Chicago labor relations attorney Charles Edward Murphy died Feb. 18 at age 65 of liver cancer in his Wayne home. A 1967 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, he began his career with the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago.
In 1971, Mr. Murphy became labor counsel of the U.S. Postal Service in Chicago, and in 1975 joined Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz as a partner in labor and employment law.
After 11 years, he and Arthur Smith formed Murphy, Smith & Polk. The firm merged in 1999 with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart and became its Chicago office.
Eutha Ochoa
Eutha Fay Ochoa of Troy, formerly of Fairview Heights, died Jan. 23 at age 55 in Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. A 2000 graduate of the St. Louis University Law School, she was with the St. Louis firm of Leritz, Plunkert & Bruning.
J. Arden Rearick
Retired Chicago attorney J. Arden Rearick, a former partner in Winston & Strawn, died Feb. 28 at age 87 in his winter home in Florida. A 1947 graduate of the Indiana University Law School, he was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1953.
Mr. Rearick was general solicitor and corporate secretary of the Monon Railroad until 1953, when he became head of Winston & Strawn’s Real Estate Department. He was made a partner in 1959.
In 1965, Mr. Rearick chaired the committee that established the firm’s retirement and pension plans, and in 1968 he began a 17-year tenure on the management committee. He retired in 1990.
He was a director of the Drake Hotel Corp. and the Hubinger Corp. and a trustee of the Alonzo Mather Foundation.
Thomas Reynolds
Retired Chicago attorney Thomas Aquinas Reynolds Jr., a former partner in Winston & Strawn, died Feb. 14 at age 79 of Parkinson’s disease in his Winnetka home.
A 1951 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, he was the son of the late Thomas A. Reynolds and the father of Thomas A. Reynolds III, who survives, both also partners in the same firm.
Thomas Reynolds Jr. was managing director from 1969 to 1989 and then the firm’s chair until he retired in 1992. In 1980 he handled a merger that established the New York office.
Mr. Reynolds headed the Illinois Sports Finance Authority, which enabled construction of a new ballpark for the Chicago White Sox. He was involved in the 1962 purchase of the Milwaukee Braves and the team’s 1966 move to Atlanta.
Stephanie Rives
Lake Bluff attorney Stephanie Kelsey Rives died Feb. 20 at age 72. A 1982 graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, she was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985.
Mrs. Rives was a radio producer at KMOX in St. Louis until 1965, when she moved to Lake Bluff.
Norman Shapiro
Retired Lombard patent attorney Norman M. Shapiro died recently at age 81. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1955.
Raymond Smith
Chicago workers’ compensation attorney Raymond S. Smith died in March at age 62. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1973.