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Obituaries

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Valjean Rhule Smith 1928-2016

    Valjean Rhule Smith, 88, of Springfield, passed away at 4:35 p.m. on Monday, December 26, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center. 

    Valjean was born on February 16, 1928 in Springfield, the son of George and Tressa Rhule Smith. He married Connie Lee Riley on August 9, 1969 in Beardstown; she preceded him in death on August 13, 2012. 

    Valjean earned his juris doctorate from Springfield College. He served as a public defender and worked for several private practice firms before retiring from the State of IL, Division of Aeronautics. He was a member of the Jacksonville Country Club and enjoyed golfing, fishing, reading, traveling, cooking and spending time with his family. 

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Gregory Freerksen 1951-2016

    Gregory Freerksen was a civil rights and labor union attorney for about 40 years. He was also a Blues radio DJ for 20 years, and he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame during its first year. He loved music, dogs, being outdoors, science, and creating things, whether in the garden, the kitchen, or artistically. His family was very important to him.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Robert M. "Cub" Culbertson Jr 1932-2016

    Robert M. "Cub" Culbertson Jr., 84, of Delavan passed away Friday, December 30, 2016, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, Illinois.

    Born August 14, 1932, in Bloomington, Illinois, to Robert M. and Jeanette Read Culbertson, he lived his entire life in Delavan. His mother passed away when he was 12 and he fondly remembered his Aunt Helen and Uncle John Culbertson who helped him grow up. He married Joyce E. Winkler on August 15, 1953, in Peoria, Illinois.
    He was preceded in death by one son, Scott L. Culbertson.

    Survivors include his wife, Joyce W. Culbertson; a daughter, Carol (and Ron) Ernst of Fishers, Indiana; a daughter, Jean (and Dana) Sutton of Ona, West Virginia; a son, Hal Robert (and Rhonda) of South Bend, Indiana; five grandsons; one granddaughter; and two great-grandsons. 

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Marvin Green 1925-2016

    Marvin Green, 91, of Chicago, born 1925 in Lansford, PA, died peacefully on Dec. 28. Beloved husband of Anne Jentry, loving father of Bobbie (Hank) Scheff, Amy (Allen) Oseroff, David Lanier and Kate Samuels, and grandfather of Julian, Matt (deceased), Jack, and Andy Scheff, and Dan and Tom Oseroff. WWII Army veteran, University of Chicago College and Law School graduate, practicing attorney for 65 years, prolific writer (readmarvin.com), Renaissance Man.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    John T. Bullington 1918-2016

    John T. Bullington, 98, of Hillsboro died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016 at 1:34 a.m. at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.

    He was born on July 3, 1918 in Hillsboro, the son of the late Josiah T. and Mary Theresa (Thompson) Bullington. A graduate of Hillsboro High School and University of Illinois Law School, he served with the Army during World War II at the Battle of the Bulge and then as a JAG during the Korean Conflict.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Peter J. Nordigian 1931-2016

    Attorney Peter J. Nordigian, 85, of Waukegan, passed away Dec. 20, 2016 at home with his family. He was born March 27, 1931 in Waukegan.

    Pete saw active duty during the Korean War, was appointed Brigadier General in the Illinois Guard list of retirees effective Aug. 12, 1980, and received Honors from the Army Reserves and the Illinois National Guard. He was a practicing attorney for 58 years, spending 35 years as the Village Attorney for Lake Bluff. Pete was generous to a fault, and basically took care of all his friends and family in legal and personal matters. He was an avid roller skater and numastesion; his passion was art, lladros, and Swarovski Crystal.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    George Warren Kenney 1937-2016

    George Warren Kenney, 79, of Springfield, died at 11:03 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.

    George was born June 4, 1937 in Springfield, the son of Charles Marshall and Alberta Mae Hillyard Kenney.
    George graduated from Springfield High School in 1955, where he played basketball, football and baseball. George fondly remembered playing in the State Basketball Tournament. He earned his bachelor's degree from Millikin University in Decatur, where he played basketball and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Howard C. Goode 1940-2016

    Howard C. Goode, 76, of Northbrook, IL and West Palm Beach, FL, from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his loving partner, Sally Baker, his brother, Burton Goode, his ex-wife, Sheila Lopin Goode, and his children Andrea (Christopher) Barber, and Steven (Ann) Goode. Howard was a devoted grandfather to Jack Barber, Juliana, Ellis, and Sam Goode.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Robert Oexeman 1941-2016

    Born 12/22/41, Robert Oexeman passed away peacefully at his home on 12/11.

    A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Bob was an attorney for over 43 years, first as partner in a Chicago law firm and later in private practice. He served as the Synod Attorney for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 20 years. Bob was a Board member and President of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a Board member and Treasurer of the Western Springs Business Association. He served on the Boards of Community Family Service and Community Care Options, Keep DuPage Beautiful, Pets & Pals Charities, and the Rotary Clubs of both Western Springs and LaGrange. A member of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Hinsdale since 1969, Bob was President of the congregation in the early 1980's and served as an Elder and as Chairman of the Elders for many years.

  • January 11, 2017 | People
    Emerson Edgar Blue 1939-2016

    Attorney Emerson Edgar Blue, 79, passed away December 3, 2016. A longtime Chicago resident, educator, certified public accountant, and attorney. Mr. Blue taught at Malcolm X College and Kent Law School. He is survived by three brothers, Ben, John, Giles and one sister, Opal V. Gill. Services have been held.