The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Obituaries

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Jonathan G. Bunge 1936-2018

    Jonathan G. Bunge, 81, died April 10, 2018. He was born October 20, 1936, is La Crosse, Wis.

    In 1954, he matriculated at Princeton University where he studied at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy, socialized as member of the Tiger Inn dining club, and served as an editor of the Daily Princetonian.

    After graduating with honors from Princeton, Jon moved on to Harvard Law School. He married Trudy (nee Shoemaker) in 1961. After graduating with honors from law school, Jon was drafted and served in the U.S. Army. 

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Julian Berman 1921-2018

    Julian Berman, 96, died Thursday, April 19, 2018, at his home in Glenco, Ill. He was born on August 26, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wis., to parents Ezra and Francis (Heyman) Berman. 

    Following his graduation from the University of Wisconsin, he enrolled in the Navy's Officer Candidate School in 1943. As a lieutenant, he served on the destroyer USS Conner, which saw action in several major invasions in the Pacific theater. After the war, he received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin under the G.I. Bill. 

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Charles Douglas 1950-2018

    Charles Raymond Douglas, 67, of Granite City, Ill., passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Cedarhurst of Edwardsville.

    Charles was born on August 4, 1950 in Granite City. He was an area attorney and ran his own law office, Charles Douglas Law Office, in Granite City and Glen Carbon. Charles was an avid photographer, with photographs published in the diving magazine, The Skin Diver. Charles loved nature and the outdoors, walking and swimming, and he enjoyed traveling. He will be remembered for the love of his family and all the special times they shared together.

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Eric Vickers 1953-2018

    Eric Vickers, 65, died Friday, April 13, 2018. He was buried the following day in a traditional Muslim service. 

    Vickers found a penchant early for social justice when his family moved to University City and participated in a successful student sit-in that led to more teachers of color hired in the district. 

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Arthur "Art" Powers 1939-2018

    Arthur F. "Art" Powers, Jr, 78, of Decatur, passed away Friday, April 20, 2018, in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Sullivan, IL. 

    Art was born October 18, 1939, the son of Arthur F. and Opal Imogene (Clemons) Powers. A U.S. Navy veteran and member of Ss. James and Patrick Parish, Judge Powers served his country proudly aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga. He liked flying, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. Art married Carolyn J. Edwards August 17, 1968, in Centralia. 

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    W. Loren Thomson 1931-2018

    W. Loren Thomson, 86, of Bloomington, died Friday, April 13, 2018, at Sugar Creek Assisted Living Center under hospice care of VITAS. 

    Loren was born July 6, 1931, in Bloomington, the son of James L. and Virginia M. (Johnson) Thomson. Loren married Judith Johnston on Dec. 26, 1974, in Greeley, Colo.

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Mercedes Luque-Rosales 1962-2018

    Mercedes Luque-Rosales, 56, died Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Chicago. 

    The daughter of the late Luis and Evangeliana (nee Cuentras) Luque-Rosales, Mercedes was born February 4, 1962. She attended Lowell grade school in Humboldt Park and Alvernia High School. She later attended Loyal University and won a full scholarship to Creighton University School of Law, graduating at the top of her class.

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Richard S. Ratcliff 1931-2018
    Richard S. Ratcliff

    Richard S. Ratcliff, 86, died Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Holland, Mich. 

    A native of Oak Park and River Forest, Dick graduated from Oak Park High in 1948. In high school he developed his love of language and writing, and excelled in athletic activity, winning an award his senior year for best defensive guard in Cook County. He attended University of Michigan on a football scholarship and stayed for seven years, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a law degree. 

    Dick met Patty Cullen on spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They grew up three blocks from each other and were two years apart at Oak Park High School, but did not meet until Dick was in law school and Patty was teaching in Indianapolis. They married on April 14, 1956. 

  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Joseph A. "Joe" Morrissey 1929-2018

    Joseph A. "Joe" Morrissey, died Monday, April 2, 2018. He was born August 16, 1929, to William R. and Aileen (Brady) Morrissey

    Joe grew up a resilient and entrepreneurial young man during the Great Depression. Although the family had little, they were rich in faith and love. 

    Joe attended St. Anne Elementary, graduating from Amboy High School in 1947, and St. Ambrose University in 1951. Following college, Joe served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. After service, Joe studied law at the University of Illinois, obtaining his Juris Doctorate in 1958. Upon graduation, Joe worked in the State Farm claims department until 1964, after which Joe began a private law practice in Rockford, concentrating in personal injury claims for over 50 years.

    1 comment (Most recent May 24, 2018)
  • May 11, 2018 | People
    Kenneth "Gary" Kombrink 1945-2018

    Kenneth "Gary" Kombrink, 72, died Sunday, March 25, 2018, at his home in Bloomington after being treated for lymphoma at the University of Chicago for the past 6 months.

    He was born August 29, 1945 in Harrisburg, Pa. He attended high school in Belleville, Ill., and college at the University of Missouri, where he was quarterback of the football team from 1966 to 1967 and co-captain his senior year. After graduation in 1968, he served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant from 1968 to 1970.