Obituaries

Apr 12, 2023

Mark Anthony Spognardi, noted Chicago labor attorney, died April 12, 2023, at Rush University Medical Center from complications related to heart disease. He was 63.

Spognardi was a founding partner of Spognardi Baiocchi LLP, created in January 2019, and founding partner of Pautsch, Spognardi & Baiocchi Legal Group, 2014-2019. Earlier affiliations included Arnstein & Lehr, partner, 2006-2014;...

Apr 1, 2023

Barbara A. Bagnuolo, nee Mika, was born in 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her husband Peter Michael Bagnuolo; dear mother of Suzanne (Steve) Lothary; loving grandmother of Olivia Lothary, Hannah Lothary, and Karen Lothary; devoted daughter of the late Helen (nee Kloc) and Stanley Felix Mika; fond sister of Joan Marie (William) Mika-Savas and Diane (the...

Mar 31, 2023

Lauretta A. Gembica. Dear mother of Barbara Gembica (Phil) Bue; loving grandmother of Kathryn Bue, Susie Bue (Chris) Pusateri, Michael Bue, and Timothy McCarthy; great-grandmother of Joey Pusateri.

Family and friends will meet on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at St. John Cantius Church, 825 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois 60642 for a 10:00 a.m. Visitation followed by...

Mar 20, 2023

Joan Pernecke passed away on March 20, 2023, at the age of 65, after a 6 month battle with esophageal cancer. She was born in Chicago, to the late Catherine E. (nee Hartnett) and Joseph H. Pernecke. Joan was the devoted, proud, loving mother of Beza. She was the sister of Mary Guthrie, Nancy Willis, and Michael Pernecke; and...

Mar 18, 2023

Martha-Marie Kleinhans

Obituary/ life review prepared by: Erica Reid Gerdes, Waxwing Journeys

Martha-Marie Kleinhans was born in 1963 to Robert George Kleinhans and Joyce Linda Richardson.  A year later, her brother David Jonathan was born, creating a life-long friendship and partner in crime for Martha-Marie. Growing up in Toronto and Chicago, Martha-Marie and...

Feb 28, 2023

Philip L. Kennedy, age 92, was born in Chicago, the son of Frank and Esther (nee Ryan) Kennedy. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rita A. Cashman; brother Rev. Frank P. Kennedy; sister Mary (Bernard) Kennedy Witry. He is survived by his sisters, Sister Ellen Kennedy, OP and Sister Esther Kennedy, OP. He was a grateful...

Feb 24, 2023

Jacqueline Marie Zurawski, age 78. Beloved wife of the late Deacon John Paul Zurawski; dear mother of Mary (David) Tarchala, John Anthony, and John Luke; loving grandmother of Dan Tarchala.

Visitation Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church, 920 Granville...

Feb 20, 2023

Francis "Frank" J. Phelan passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago on February 20, 2023, at the age of 89.

He was born in Aurora, Illinois, during the early years of the Great Depression. As a child, he lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while his father worked on designing and building the Burlington Zephyr at the Budd...

Feb 7, 2023

Michael Kearney Cavanaugh, age 87, of Chicago, IL passed away unexpectedly. He is preceded in death by his parents Luke and Frances Cavanaugh; brother Matthew Cavanaugh; brother-in-law Duane Vaske; and nephew Mark Cavanaugh. He is survived by his loving brothers and sisters, Richard and Dana Cavanaugh of Davenport, IA, Steve and Colleen Blaes of Chesterfield, MO, Cathleen Vaske of...

Jan 17, 2023

William T. Hart, a judge in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois for nearly 40 years, passed away peacefully at home on January 17, 2023. He was 93. A longtime resident of Aurora, Hart enjoyed his later years at The Clare in Chicago, where he lived with Catherine "Kay," his beloved wife of 68 years.

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Jan 12, 2023

We are saddened to announce the passing of Louis P. "Louie" Tomaso, age 71, of Chicago. Louie was the cherished father of Christina (Tad Kolke); adored grandfather of TJ Kolke; devoted son of the late Louis and Mary (nee Catalano); beloved brother of Donna (Sam) Ortegon and Sharon (the late Frank) Piersanti; dear friend and former husband to Carmella...

Dec 31, 2022

FATHER REGIS N. BARWIG - 1932-2022

Father Regis Norbert Barwig observed the sixty-third anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on May 30, 2022, with the celebration of a Mass of Thanksgiving in the chapel of the Community of Our Lady, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He passed over to eternal life shortly after midnight on...

Dec 23, 2022

Rosalie Schmidt, nee Markiewicz. Beloved wife of the late Christian "Kitzel"; dear mother of Christine (George) Micholson, Cindy (Frank) Sadowski, and Curt (Tracy); loving grandmother of Danny, Kelly (Bobby), Tyler (Nicole), Corben, Brianna, Kathy (Vince), and Kristy; great-grandmother of Audrey; fond sister of Phil (Mary) Markiewicz; sister-in-law of Peggy (Marv) Ricklefs, Jim (the late Jill) and Steve (Cindy); fond...

Dec 12, 2022

Ingrid Ursula Fassbender    1944-2022

Ingrid Ursula Fassbender, age 78, Preeminent Gallerist, Curator, and Art Consultant passed away peacefully at home in Chicago, with her devoted husband of 32 years, Bruce MacGilpin, by her side on December 12, 2022. Ingrid was energetic, determined to make her mark, and overcame the many obstacles life put in her...

Dec 10, 2022

Alice Finerman, age 85. Daughter of the late Abraham and Marsie Finerman; sister of the late Diane Bullock. Survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Lifelong friend of Elaine Penk.

Alice was a lifelong resident of Chicago. After retiring from the Illinois Industrial Commission, she continued to pursue her many interests including vacationing, volunteering at the...

Nov 29, 2022

Chicagoland Automotive Icon, Michael McGrath, Sr. passes at 75.

Chicagoland has lost an automotive icon with the passing of Michael McGrath, Sr. He passed away peacefully in Florida comforted by the love of his wife Kristina and close family. At age 75, McGrath had enjoyed an amazing career as the patriarch of the McGrath Automotive...

Nov 10, 2022

Giorgio Ventola, age 75, of Chicago, suddenly passed away at sunset on November 10, 2022, surrounded by the love of his adoring wife of 20 years Sarah R. Toulouse, and his cherished daughters Julia (Brian) Zimmerman and Caroline (Jake) Walsh.  Lung cancer was diagnosed just 22 days before his passing. He was determined to fight, but his lungs suddenly...

Nov 6, 2022

Robert Weeks, age 78. Beloved husband of Barbara Weeks, nee McCafferty; dear father of Meredith (Vito) Weeks Gioia and Andrew Burke (Genevieve) Weeks; loving grandfather of Morgan Gioia, Sophie Gioia, Sullivan Weeks, Thatcher Weeks, and Hudson Weeks; devoted son of the late George and Dorothy (nee Kerr) Weeks; fond brother of Daniel Weeks, JoEllen Engle, and the late Michael...

Nov 4, 2022

Maria Theresa Rodriguez of Chicago, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022, at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. Theresa was reunited in death with her husband, Antonio; her parents Emilio and Hercilia de Leon; numerous brothers and sisters; and many, many dear friends. She is survived by her children, Patricia (Edmund) Michel, Antonio, Jr. (Michelle...

Oct 31, 2022

Richard W. Bowen, age 75, died in Chicago on October 31, 2022, after a brief illness, survived by his beloved children, David (fiancée Alayna Alvarez) and Laura; his three brothers, Ronald, Randall and Roger; his former wife Nancy Gerrie; and many friends, colleagues, and generations of students.  Rich received his Ph.D. degree at Columbia University, joined the faculty at...