John Bretsnyder

John “Jack” Bretsnyder, 94, of Florida, formerly of Lombard, died in Florida.
Visitation at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, and a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard are pending.
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Robert Darlin Jr.

Robert Harold Darlin Jr., age 49, of Shorewood, passed away suddenly Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
A Memorial Service for Robert Harold Darlin Jr. will be held on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 2650 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL 60435. Family will receive friends and relatives from 5:30 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. Cremation Rites have been accorded.
Mr. Darlin is survived by his wife, Karen Darlin of Shorewood; children, Richard (Amy) Coppola of Shorewood, Randy Meyers of Shorewood, Robert Harold Darlin III of Shorewood, Elizabeth Darlin of Shorewood and Adam Darlin of Shorewood; his grandchildren, Richard and Nicholas Coppola, Aiden and Nathan Meyers; his father, Robert Harold Darlin Sr. of Fla.; four sisters, Kimberly Darlin of Glendale Heights, Cheri Bednarz of Carol Stream, Marcy Darlin of Carol Stream and Candy Dutton of Plainfield; one brother, Randy Darlin of Chicago; and 20 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara J. (nee Diamond) Darlin.
Born in Evergreen Park, Ill., and raised in Lombard, he was a graduate of Willowbrook High School Class of 1981. He was employed by Starbucks as a facilities manager.
For information call 815-741-5500 or visit www.fredcdames.com.

Grace Meckes

Grace Meckes, nee Sawisch, 89, of Lombard. died Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Lombard.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 21, from Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard, to Mass at Christ the King Church in Lombard. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Mrs. Meckes is survived by her children, Kathleen (Michael) Hurd, Margaret (Karl) Baumrucker and Mark (Vicki); five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and was the sister of Marion Wade and aunt of many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis J.; and brother, Walter Sawisch.
Mrs. Meckes was a homemaker.
For more information, call 630-932-1500.

Leo Spencer

Funeral services for Leo R. Spencer, 81, of Lombard, will be held Saturday, March 2, at St. Alexander Catholic Church Gathering Space in Villa Park. Inurnment will be Thursday, March 7, at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Mr. Spencer was the companion of Marryann Giacomucci; brother of Patrick Spencer and Clara Fiedler; and grandfather of Donnie Busch. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Busch.
Please omit flowers.
Arrangements were made by Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. For information, call 630-832-4161 or visit www.steuerlefh.com.

William Qualkenbush

William Qualkenbush, 87, of Lombard, died Saturday, Feb. 23, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
Visitation will be today, Feb. 27, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Funeral services will be Thursday, Feb. 28, with prayers from the funeral home to Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Mr. Qualkenbush is survived by his children, Jerome (Cynthia), Ellen and Leonard (Karen); four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings, Robert, Irene Combs and Evelyn Gann; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve; sister-in-law, Marcella Qualkenbush; brothers-in-law, Don Combs and Wiley Gann; and 10 brothers and sisters.
Mr. Qualkenbush was a resident of Lombard for 58 years.He worked as a lithographer and owned and operated Bill & Bob’s Shell Service Station in Elmhurst for many years. He enjoyed gambling with his wife in Nevada and loved to play Keno.
Mr. Qualkenbush was a member of the Masonic Lodge; excelled at horseshoes and bowling; enjoyed golfing, hunting and sports; loved the Cubs; and was known as a simple man who loved spending time with his family.
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Gerald Strickland

Gerald A. “Jerry” Strickland, 56, of Elmhurst, formerly of Glen Ellyn and Lombard, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 22, with his family at his side at Elmhurst Hospital.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment is private at Elm Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. Strickland is survived by his wife, Wendy; children, Alison of Villa Park, Jake and Mike; brother, Steve (Kathy); eight nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard M. and Madeline; and siblings, Raymond and Mary Ann Smith.
Mr. Strickland grew up in Lombard and attended Pleasant Lane School and Lombard Junior High School, and graduated from Glenbard East High School in 1974. He lived in Glen Ellyn for 20 years before moving to Elmhurst two years ago. He was a member of a laborer’s union, loved cars and the Beatles, and was an avid guitar player.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfunerahome.com for more information.