Obituaries

Sean Patrick O’Brien, 37, of Morton Grove, passed away suddenly and tragically in a car accident on Sept. 22, 2013.  

Sean was very close to his family, extended family, and friends. He received his double Bachelor’s degree from  Illinois State University.  His master’s degree in Political Science from University of Illinois and then he went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton law school.  Shortly after law school Sean began a career working at the Illinois Department of Criminal Justice Information Authority where he is well respected amongst his peers. One of his main contributions was developing an organizational model of their system in which many states throughout the country have implemented.

He is survived by his beloved wife and soul mate  Lisa ( Weiland) O'Brien.  Beloved oldest son of John and Linda O’Brien.  Loving brother of Erin (Brent) Eggleston, Moreen (Jacob) Lusk and Kevin “Shorty” O’Brien.  Adored uncle of Isabelle and Matthew Eggleston, Ethan Lusk and Brandon and Jeremy Flores.  Dear son in law of Pam (and the late Steven) Weiland.  Fond brother in law of Karyn Weiland Flores.  Loved nephew of Richard and Colleen Atwood and Greg and Mary O'Brien. 

Charitable donations may be made in Sean's memory to the following organization:

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Illinois Chapter
 

Hugh James "Jim" Bagley, 72, of Rockford died peacefully in his home on Sept. 27, 2013, after a short battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and "Danda." His wise counsel and strong character will leave a long-lasting legacy.

Jim was born in Manchester, GA, on January 14, 1941, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Hill) Bagley. Jim attended both undergrad and law school at the University of Georgia. He proudly served 21 years in the US Air Force. In September 1967, Jim took a life-changing flight on TWA, where he met a stewardess named Milena Chomko. They married in 1969 and recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.

He was a savvy and intrepid traveler, and he always wanted to visit new and faraway places. He was a tireless advocate for his clients during forty years of legal practice. However, his greatest joy was investing time and energy in his family, especially his five grandsons. He truly set the standard for being a grandfather.

Jim is survived by his wife, Milena; his children, Noelle (Chris) LaLiberty and Jason (Summer) Bagley; grandsons Kevin, Colin, Ryan, Jacob, and Connor. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Barbara Staples.

Memorials may be directed in Jim's name to Heartland Hospice, 363 Financial Court, #300, Rockford, IL, 61107. Cremation Society of Illinois assisted the family. To extend condolences go to caringbridge.org/visit/jimbagley.

Richard K. Smith Sr., 83, of Savanna, died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at The Alverno in Clinton, Iowa.

Richard was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Rockford, the son of Harold Anderson and Alyce L. (Johnston) Anderson. Harold passed away and Alyce later married Lawrence Smith Sr. who adopted Richard.

Richard attended and graduated from Savanna High School and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1956. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his law degree.

Richard began practicing law with his father, Lawrence Sr., and his brother, Lawrence Jr., in Savanna in the mid 1960s. He later co-founded Smith Law Office in Savanna in 1975 and practiced law in northwest Illinois until his retirement in 2011. During his career he was the village and town attorney for many years for several towns in the area including Elizabeth, Savanna and Shannon.

Richard belonged to and enjoyed participating with the Savanna Rotary.

He also loved spending his time watching trains, studying history and war and spending time on his farm. Most of all, Richard cherished the time he spent with his family and his friends.

Richard will be dearly missed by four children, Richard K. Smith Jr., David A. (Wendy) Smith, William H. Smith and Alyce A. Smith; a grandson, Garrett K. Smith; and his brother, Lawrence (Donna) Smith.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials may be given to the Savanna Rotary in Richard’s memory.
 

The Honorable Judge Gene Nottolini, 69, of Elgin passed away on Sept. 5, 2013. He was born on July 9, 1944, in Elgin, the son of Dino and Margaret (Lamz) Nottolini.

Gene attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Edward High School. He attended St. Louis University for undergrad and law school. He worked as an attorney from 1968 to 1984. In 1984, he was selected as an associate judge serving in traffic, felony, family and juvenile courts. Judge Nottolini was appointed circuit judge in 1989, elected in 1990 and retained by voters until his retirement in 2005. Judge Nottolini served as chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 1996.

In 1983, Judge Nottolini was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2004, he was able to reserve a place for 50 attorneys from the Kane County Bar Association to be sworn in to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Judge Nottolini served as ethics advisor for the Kane County Board from 2008 to 2012, and was currently serving on the Ethics Boards for Sherman Hospital and Elgin Community College.

Survivors include the love of his life, Kay (McKeown) Nottolini, whom he married on Sept. 3, 1966; two sons, Gene Nottolini Jr. and Joseph Nottolini; five grandchildren, Augie, Izzy, Natalie, Sal and Vinny; a brother, Jules (Marylyn) Nottolini; his "favorite" sister-in-law, Colleen McKeown, along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Rick Nottolini.