Takashi Baba

Takashi Baba, 97, of Westchester, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Lombard.
A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, Jan. 31, at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard.
Mr. Baba was the father of Linda and Thomas Rzepka; brother of Hisako Kamachi; uncle of four; great-uncle of four; and great-great-uncle of one. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yoshiye; and siblings, Kiyoko Nakata, Sam Nakata and Ruby Nakata.
Mr. Baba was a veteran of World War II, and had worked as a mechanic.
For more information, call 630-932-1500.

Gareld Bird

Gareld L. “Gary” Bird, 92, of Lombard for over 40 years, died Monday, Jan. 21, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 25, with prayers from Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, to Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard. Interment was at Assumption Cemetery in Winfield.
Mr. Bird is survived by his children, Richard Michael (Dayna) and Barbara (Calen) Currence; three grandchildren; sisters, Joyce (George) Koons, Mary Lou (Donn) Klink, Norma Lee Bock and Sharon (Don) Loe; and many other relatives, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria T.; and one brother and one sister.
Mr. Bird was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, having served during World War II in the Pacific, Air Offensive Japan, with the 41st Photo Recon Squadron. He was a former Lombard village trustee, serving on many boards and commissions, and was a past president and longtime member of the Lombard Rotary.
He was also a past Jaycees Man of the Year, was the 1996 grand marshal for the Lilac Parade, was an active member and usher at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was a longtime member of the Lombard Historical Society and Lombard Chamber of Commerce, and was a longtime member of the Lombard Jaycees and YMCA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 114 S. Elizabeth, Lombard, IL 60148, would be appreciated.
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Helen Bowler

Helen A. Bowler, nee Kafara, 98, a longtime resident of Lombard, died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at Edward Hospital.
A funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard. Entombment was at Assumption Mausoleum in Wheaton.
Mrs. Bowler is survived by her children, George F. Jr., Maureen Sorenson, Kathleen (David) Hrovat and Ellen (Robert) Hadzima; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George F.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, or Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth, Lombard, IL 60148, would be appreciated.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Sarah Convalle

Sarah Convalle, nee Costanza, 89, of Lombard, died Thursday, Jan. 24, in Lombard.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 29, with prayers from Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, to Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lombard. Interment was at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside.
Mrs. Convalle is survived by her brother, Vincent (Lucy) Costanza; sister, Jean Gattuso; and was an aunt and great-aunt to many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tullio D.; parents, Salvatore and Angelina Costanza; brother, Anthony; sister, Jenny; and brother-in-law, Joseph Gattuso.
Mrs. Convalle was a longtime resident of Lombard. She was a member and volunteer of Christ the King Church for many years.
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Thomas Everett

A memorial service for Thomas David Everett, 86, a 45-year resident of Lombard, was held Sunday, Jan. 27, at Community Presbyterian Church in Lombard. Interment is at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
Mr. Everett is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma; children, Thomas (Nedra), Michael, Cynthia and Marie; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Nancy (John) Ladodge and Rebecca (James) Sexton.
Mr. Everett was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II.
Arrangements were made by Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. For more information, call 630-832-4161 or visit www.steuerlefh.com.

Marla Fitzgerald

Marla F. Fitzgerald, nee Fawell, 46, of Lombard, died Friday, Jan. 25, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 31, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 1, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lombard. Interment is at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Elmhurst.
Mrs. Fitzgerald is survived by many loving family members.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was deeply loved by her family, friends and thousands of students from Stratford Middle School.
“Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as is. Treat him as he could be, and he will become what he should be.”
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com.

Richard Klaus

Richard G. Klaus, age 84, of Glen Carbon, formerly of Lombard, Ill., died at 6:22 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at Meridian Village Care Center in Glen Carbon. He was born May 23, 1928, in Chicago, the son of the late Edmund and Olga (Hein) Klaus. He married Jean Schaefer June 17, 1950, in Chicago. She survives.
He is also survived by two sons: Mark (Karen) Klaus of Edwardsville, and Paul (Barbara) Klaus of Edwardsville; four grandchildren: Jessica (Matt) Lamont of Carmi, Ill., Michael Klaus of Carmi, Ill., Steven Klaus of Edwardsville and Lydia Klaus of Edwardsville; two great-grandchildren: Jacob and Alyson Lamont; and one sister, Eva Bencur of Hammond, Ind. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Art and Adam Klaus; and one sister, Eleanor.
Mr. Klaus worked as a chief rate clerk for EJ & E Railroad in Chicago for 35 years, retiring in 1985. He was an avid sports fan, especially rooting for the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.
A funeral Mass was held Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. Burial was in St. Boniface Cemetery in Edwardsville.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer's Association. Internet visitors may register online at www.KalmerMemorialServices.com. Kalmer Memorial Services in Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Orszula

Dorothy E. Orszula, nee Spitler, 90, of Lombard, died Friday, Jan. 25, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
Visitation and funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 31, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment is private.
Mrs. Orszula is survived by her daughter, Carol (David) Watanabe; two grandchildren; brother, Robert Spitler; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Norbert.
Mrs. Orszula received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and her master’s degree in reading education from Northern Illinois University. She was a longtime teacher of elementary and middle school children. She taught fourth grade for many years at Green Valley Elementary School in Lombard, and also taught seventh- and eighth-grade focused reading programs at Roselle Middle School in Roselle.
Mrs. Orszula was active in the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Lombard Service League.
Call 630-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.

Robert Ruby

Funeral services for Robert W. Ruby, 73, of Villa Park, will be held today, Jan. 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elmhurst. Interment is at Elm Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. Ruby is survived by his daughter, Michele (George) Johnston; stepdaughter, Dawn Krizek and son-in-law, Larry Krizek; five grandchildren; brother, James (Catherine); two nieces; and one great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife, Deanna.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, would be appreciated.
Arrangements were made by Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. For more information, call 630-832-4161 or visit www.steuerlefh.com.