E.C. “Chris” Eberspacher III of Shelbyville died at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, from injuries received as a pedestrian in a crosswalk in Fort Myers, Fla.
He was born on Sept. 28, 1949, in Shelbyville to the late Judge Edward C. Eberspacher Jr. and Josephine Yantis Eberspacher. He married Jacqueline Dunaway on July 1, 1972, in Shelbyville. He graduated from Shelbyville High School and Culver Summer Naval School in 1967.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1971, with high honors, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi social fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa academic fraternity.
He was a recipient of a Rotary International Scholarship and studied at the University of Tel Aviv, Remat Aviv, Israel, for more than a year before entering law school. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1974 and was admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court in 1974. He joined the firm of Dove & Dove, Attorneys at Law, as an associate that fall.
He was admitted to the bar of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1981 and was admitted to practice before the Central and Southern Districts of the U. S. District Court in Illinois. In 1976, he was elected State’s Attorney for Shelby County, a position in which he served until 1980, when he became a partner with the firm of Dove & Dove.
Obituaries
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February 23, 2012 |
People
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February 23, 2012 |
People
Jay McCartney Hanson, 71, of Geneseo, passed away at home Jan. 30, 2012, after a courageous battle of several months duration.
Jay was born on Sept. 27, 1940, in rural Hillsdale, the son of J. McCartney "Pete" Hanson and Eleanor Dailey Hanson. He was raised in rural Hillsdale and attended Hillsdale schools. Jay graduated from Geneseo High School in 1958. He attended Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis., and Mexico City College and graduated from the University of Idaho in 1962 and the University of Idaho College Law in 1965. Jay was united in marriage to Judy Bond in 1963.
He began his law career in Geneseo and, in 1969, he was appointed as the youngest circuit magistrate in the state of Illinois; less than a year later, Jay was appointed associate judge of the circuit court. In 1976, he ran for and was elected to a full circuit judgeship in the 14th Judicial Circuit; he left in 1982 to practice law in Thompson Falls, Mont. Jay returned to Illinois in 1986 and ran again for circuit judge, serving until his retirement in 2000.
Survivors include his wife, Judy; four daughters, Jennifer (David) Squire, Baraboo, Wis., Mari Hanson, Fountain Hills, Ariz., Sarah (David) Humphreys, Pensacola, Fla., Kristina (Eric) Misfeldt, Geneseo; grandchildren, Sarah Grant, Tuesday Grant, Paige Squire, Sophia Squire, Signe Anna Squire, Brittany Frus, Kristina Humphreys, Zach Humphreys, Drake Misfeldt, Eleanor Misfeldt, Zane Misfeldt; sisters, Kathleen Hanson, Cottonwood, Ariz., and Priscilla Middleton, Sarasota, Fla. -
February 17, 2012 |
People
Jean Allard was the first female partner at the law firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and, along with former University of Chicago President Hanna Holborn Gray, was among the first women to become members of the exclusive Chicago Club.
In 1979, Ms. Allard helped start and became the first chairwoman of the Chicago Network, an organization of influential local women. Her motivation in launching the group was to foster the idea of women helping women, said MarySue Barrett, a member of the Chicago Network who succeeded Ms. Allard as president of the Metropolitan Planning Council in 1996.
Read the full obituary in the Chicago Tribune
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February 6, 2012 |
People
Eighty-one year old Jack W. Rosen of Highland Park, Illinois died peacefully in the loving arms of his loving family Saturday, January 7, 2012.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years Beverly Rosen and children and grandchildren and a sister and brother.
He was born May 15th 1930 in New York City, moving to Chicago at the age of three with his parents Sam and Ella Rosen, both immigrants from Europe. He grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and spent much of his free time playing basketball and pool at the Deborah Boys' Club on Division Street. When not playing at the boys club, he played stick ball in nearby parks. His parents founded Sam's Wine on North Avenue.
He was a product of Chicago public schools attending Lafayette Elementary School, P.S. 299 in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood and graduated from Tuley High School. He graduated from University of Illinois with a B.S. in management and marketing in 1952. He earned his Law Degree (J.D.) from DePaul University in 1955 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States of America in 1963. He enjoyed lifelong friendships with many of his DePaul classmates, many of them attorneys who helped build Chicago's legal system. He served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer for two years before heading back to Chicago to start his career.
Professionally, Jack practiced law for 56 years, most of it as a sole practitioner on La Salle Street. He took great pride in defending those less fortunate and those who felt they did not have a voice in the system. Generations of family members engaged his services. He spent hours fighting for the rights of his clients, often against large businesses. He considered himself a small town lawyer in the big city. -
February 6, 2012 |
People
William J. "Bill" Novick, 91, passed away suddenly at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at his home.
He was born Thursday, Jan. 20, 1921, in West Frankfort, the son of Alex and Rose Novick.
He was united in marriage to Clara Ruth Paul on Friday, Sept. 16, 1949, in Piggott, Ark. Together they shared more than 57 years of marriage until her death Jan. 13, 2007.
In his early years, he followed his brothers to the Detroit area to work in various factories.
In 1942, he answered the call of this nation and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Navy pilot, serving during World War II and afterwards until the time of his honorable discharge in 1947. -
February 6, 2012 |
People
Retired Judge Angus Sinclair "Gus" More Jr., 72, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at home with his family.
Gus was born June 26, 1939, in Kankakee to Angus S. and Viola (Fessman) More. He grew up on their grain and dairy farm outside of Kankakee. Being a farm boy provided the background for his great common sense, ingrained work ethic, and a love of the outdoors, a perspective that grounded him the rest of his life.
He graduated in 1961 from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity and head of the Army ROTC's infantry program. One week after graduation he was married, commissioned and headed to Bamberg, Germany, for 20 months as an infantry officer during the tense period of the Cuban missile crisis and the Berlin Wall.
He attended law school at American University in Washington, D.C. He was an associate and then a partner at Reno & Zahm Law Firm for 28 years until he was appointed as an associate judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit, where he served for 14 years.
Gus was endearing, intelligent, funny, sentimental, stubborn, kind, generous-and certainly gregarious. He loved all shooting sports whether modern or black powder weapons and was a charter member of Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club while belonging to Rockford Skeet Club and Rock Run Long Rifles, a black powder gun club which he particularly enjoyed. He loved the outdoors and over the years was a hunter of pheasant, waterfowl, deer, elk and more recently, turkey.
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February 1, 2012 |
People
Robert J. Schmelzle, 96, passed away on Jan. 30, 2012, at his home with his family by his side.
Robert was born on April 23, 1915, in Freeport, son of George H. and Elizabeth Grace (Peck) Schmelzle. He grew up in Freeport, graduating from Freeport High School in 1932, where he and future fellow attorney Bert Snow were members of the FHS state championship debate team.
As a student at the University of Notre Dame, he also distinguished himself in debate, winning the prestigious Breen Medal in 1935. After graduating from Notre Dame College of Law in 1938, he returned to Freeport and set up a law practice with Robert P. Eckert.
On Nov. 21, 1940, he married Mary Regan at St. Mary Church in Sterling. Bob and Mary made their home in Freeport, raising six children and actively participating in the community.
Bob practiced law for over 60 years as a partner in the law firm of Eckert, Schmelzle, and Eckert, and later Schmelzle and Kroeger. During that time, he obtained many professional achievements. He was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, served as Referee in Bankruptcy in Illinois, and was Corporation Counsel for the City of Freeport during the mayoral terms of Joe Shelly. Together, they were instrumental in bringing Kelly Springfield Tire Co. to Freeport.
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January 30, 2012 |
People
J. Gordon Henry, age 95, passed away in Naples, Fla. on Dec. 6, 2011.
Before moving to Marco Island in 1981, Gordon worked as Senior Vice President and Trust Counsel at the Northern Trust Company in Chicago.
His principal avocation was teaching and he devoted significant time organizing and teaching courses in estate planning and business law in numerous states throughout the country. His most important legal advocacy was as a member of a five-member Federal Taxation Section Committee which succeeded in causing Congress to repeal a complex law that would have had a devastating effect on the administration of decedents' estates.
Gordon assumed multiple leadership positions throughout his lifetime in community, church, athletic, and school-based committees and Boards in Illinois and Florida. He served as Commander of the Marco Island Power Squadron, Commodore of both the Marco Cruise Club and the Marco Bay Yacht and Sailing Club, and Director of the Marco Island Yacht Club and YMCA. With his wife Coke Henry, he became cruise planner extraordinaire and a backwater specialist navigating through dense mangrove islands in the Everglades.
His family thanks all of Gordon's friends and acquaintances on Marco Island who helped provide him with a deeply satisfying and happy retirement. Gordon was predeceased by his first wife of 41 years, Aileen Wilson; and his second wife of 24 years, Carol Seaman Sudler.
Gordon is survived by a daughter Laura Henry of Zion, IL; and two stepchildren Carroll and Elizabeth Sudler of Los Angeles, CA and Sag Harbor, NY.
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January 24, 2012 |
People
John C. Hedrich, 80, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Princeton, died Jan. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas.
Mr. Hedrich was born Feb. 23, 1931, in Tiskilwa to Arthur W. and Mabel (Steimle) Hedrich.
He graduated from Tiskilwa High School in 1949, the University of Illinois in 1953, and the University of Illinois School of Law in 1955. He served two years in the U.S. Navy before starting his law practice in Princeton in 1957.
He was a magistrate of the circuit court from 1961-1964, an assistant state’s attorney from 1964-1968 and the Bureau County Public Defender from 1992-1994. He served for years as attorney for St. Louis Catholic Church and the village of Tiskilwa. He was a member of Bureau County Bar Association, including a term as president, and was a member and officer of numerous civic and private organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Elks Club, Rotary Club, and Bureau Valley Country Club.
He was the last owner of the historic American House Hotel. He retired from the practice of law in 1998.
Survivors include his wife, Chung; five children, Susan Wallace of River Forest, Richard of Henderson, Nev., James of Norcross, Ga., Mary Katherine (Stacy) Pomonis of Champaign and John (Jane Chadesh) of Oak Park; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and his first wife, Ann Hanak.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur W. Hedrich Jr.
Memorials may be directed to St. Louis Church.
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January 23, 2012 |
People
Adam J. Lagocki, 34, of Peoria passed away at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Lacon.
He was born on Nov. 7, 1977, in Bloomington, the son of Dr. James and Janet Lagocki. He married Angie Speck on June 26, 2004, in Peoria.
Adam is survived by his wife; two children, Addison (4) and Andrew (1); his parents; a sister; and countless loving friends.
Adam graduated from St. Thomas Grade School, Peoria Notre Dame (1996), Indiana University (1996 to 2000) and the University of Illinois Law School (2000 to 2003).
Adam shared his enjoyment of life with everyone he met.
His interests included cheering for Indiana University Hoosiers, golf, fantasy football, being a lifelong Jimmy Buffett fan, movie or music trivia and weekend brunches with the kids.
Adam was a respected member of the legal community. His professionalism and dedication earned local and statewide recognition. He was active in the Peoria County Bar Association, Abraham Lincoln American Inn of Court and the Greater Peoria Claims Association. He also was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and American Bar Association.
Adam was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Please visit Adam's story at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.
Memorial contribution checks should be made out to Edward Jones. Sent to Edward Jones, 8500 N. Knoxville, Suite F, Peoria, IL 61615-2079, in care of Addison and Drew.