Robert T. Brust Jr.
Robert T. Brust Jr., age 63, of Schiller Park, died Wednesday, Aug.19 at his home.
An Interment Service was held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Ill.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: 888-629-0094 or www.brustfuneralhome.com.
Anne Cerasani
Anne Cerasani, 92, died Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. She was born Oct. 12, 1923, in Lombard, Ill., daughter to Einar and Regina (Knudsen) Holte. She married Frank Cerasani on June 22, 1946.
Anne was involved with family and crafts. She was a hobbyist; Rosemaling (Norwegian painting) was a specialty of Anne’s. In retirement she enjoyed playing golf, traveling and her crafts.
Survivors include her son, Dave (Peggy) Cerasani of Oregon, Ill.; grandson, Joe (Lisa) Cerasani; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Krista, Kamille and Zachary; granddaughter, Kim (Dave) Eden; sons-in-law, Ken Matherson and Ken Criter; and daughter-in-law, Kathy Jo Cerasani and family.
A funeral will be held at a later date. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Frank Cerasani
Frank Cerasani, 92, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. He was born June 18, 1923, in Melrose Park, Ill., son of Emilio and Louise (Cavone) Cerasani. He served in the United States Army during WWII, (Burma Road). He married Anne “Liz” Holte on June 22, 1946.
Frank was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW, Baraboo Country Club, and Baraboo Chamber of Commerce and the Lombard Police Department. In retirement he enjoyed playing golf, cooking, photography, traveling and vegetable gardening.
Survivors include his wife, Anne; son, Dave (Peggy) Cerasani of Oregon, Ill.; grandson, Joe (Lisa) Cerasani; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Krista, Kamille and Zachary; granddaughter, Kim (Dave) Eden; devoted sons-in-law, Ken Matherson and Ken Criter; and daughter in-law, Kathy Jo Cerasani and family.
He was devoted to Anne until the end.
A funeral will be held at a later date. Frank will be joined with Anne and will be put to rest together, for eternity. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The family wishes to thank the friends, relatives and neighbors for the caring help over the years.
William E. Draper
William E. Draper, 85, of Lombard, Ill., died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at the Oakbrook Care Center in Oak Brook, Ill. Beloved husband of 58 years to Lois (nee Gerhard); loving father of Kevin E. Draper of Oakwood, Ohio; devoted grandfather of Brendan Draper and Kayla Draper of Oakwood, Ohio.
Bill attended Catholic Central High School and Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., and served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves as a second lieutenant.
An English major who was editor of a 3,000-employee company newspaper while putting himself through college, Bill had an enormous respect for the language and his often-eloquent verbal skills were impressive.
A unique combination of intelligence, old-world courtliness (respectful and protective of females of all ages), he was a fiercely independent man with a wry sense of humor who prided himself on problem-solving by thinking “out of the box.”
These characteristics served him well when he and his wife “invented” a special niche for themselves in what was then called the “full-service, independent-living retirement industry.” As a specialized sales and marketing team they “wore many hats” in their capacity as troubleshooters, start-up and turn-around specialists or consultants who traveled to many states together on various projects for major industry leaders. Being hands-on problem solvers they also occasionally functioned as marketing co-directors.
Some of the retirement communities they were associated with were: Beacon Hill, Lombard, Ill.; Plantation Village, Wilmington, N.C.; Vicars Landing at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Crystal Cove, Destin, Fla.; Glen Meadows, Glen Arm, Md.; Holley Court, Oak Park, Ill.; and Las Colinas, Albuquerque. N.M.
Bill took particular pride in the fact that Doug Dean, then president of West Suburban Hospital, publicly stated regarding their performance at Holley Court: “Those two are the best sales and marketing team I’ve ever seen!” Doug also wrote a handwritten note thanking them personally for the assistance they gave him.
Also, the former president of Gulf Insurance at Vicars Landing board manager wrote: “These people are professionals!” Michael C. Brown, chairman of the Champion McDowell Davis Foundation, which sponsored Plantation Village, wrote: “It gives me great pleasure to speak favorably of William E. and Lois A. Draper...observed their many abilities...each as industrious, intelligent, energetic, honest and of high moral character. Much satisfaction comes to me in heartily recommending these fine people.”
One of the perks of the business for a nature lover was sometimes the fun of living oceanside or gulf-side where the tide sang you to sleep at night.
Bill was passionate about politics, as well as psychologist B.F. Skinner’s concept of positive reinforcement. A lover of jazz (Dixieland as well as xylophonist Brokenshaws group), good movies (e.g. Tivoli Theatre’s After Hours Film Society with foreign art and specialty films), folk music (Two-Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove, Ill., where traveling musicians perform most Friday nights), the mid-century modern “floating” sofa he and his wife designed and built, the Naperville Riverwalk on Sunday afternoons, strolling in Lilacia Park at tulip time, swimming and beach walking; but most of all his soul mate, Lois, son, Kevin, in whom he took enormous pride, and grandson Brendan, and granddaughter, Kayla, who were so dear to his heart.
Bill was an exceptional man who had an exceptional marriage. At a time when marriage and commitment is often trivialized, he and his mate both felt privileged and honored to have found each other. This was a true love story as exemplified by his response immediately after the doctor gave him what amounted to an imminent death sentence. Although in a greatly weakened state, he wrapped his arms around his wife and said enthusiastically, “Haven’t we had a romance, Sweetheart!”
Bill Draper was a man of distinction. His life has a message for those who read this: CELEBRATE LIFE! CELEBRATE LOVE! and, SAY IT LOUD!
In keeping with Bill’s wishes, a private service took place Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Memorial Chapel of DuPage Cremations Ltd. in West Chicago, Ill.
Lillian King
Lillian King, nee Frederick, age 87, of Lombard, passed away Saturday, Aug. 22, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Visitation will be today, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment will be at Acacia Park Cemetery.
Call 888-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.
Susan Mueller
Susan Mueller, nee Ryan, age 65, of Glendale Heights, died Friday, Aug. 21, at her home.
Visitation will be today, Aug. 26, from 4-9 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. The funeral service will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home. Interment is private.
For more information: 888-629-0094 or www.brustfuneralhome.com.
Irene Frances O’Connor
Irene Frances O’Connor, nee Rosinski, age 97, originally from the west side of Chicago, passed away Aug. 20 at Provena Pineview Care Center.
Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 27, from 3-9 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Her funeral service will be Friday with 9:30 a.m. prayers from Brust Funeral Home to Sacred Heart Church, 114 Elizabeth, Lombard, for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton.
Mrs. O’Connor is survived by her children, Terry (Joan) of Huntley, Mary Conrad of Glen Ellyn, Lynn Catherine Reichling of Wheaton, Kathleen (John) Bosh of Elgin, John B. (Ann) of Chicago, Kimberly Ann (Andy) Flad of St. Charles and Martin (Michelle) of Crystal Lake; 29 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great grandchildren; and many other relatives.
Mrs. O’Connor was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Bernard Francis O’Connor; her son-in-law, Edwin Conrad; three grandchildren, Todd Conrad, Beth Davies and Dustin Fico; and 10 brothers and sisters.
Mrs. O’Connor lived in Lombard from 1959 until 1992. She then resided in Glen Ellyn from 1992 until 2012 and in Batavia these past three years. Mrs. O’Connor worked for many years as a secretary at the Sacred Heart Rectory and was active in church there. She was a former member of the Sacred Heart Choir. Mrs. O’Connor was a former member of St. Pius X Church in Lombard and St. Petronille Church in Glen Ellyn.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Sacred Heart School, 322 W. Maple, Lombard, IL 60148 are appreciated.
Call 888-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.
Edward D. Pinc
Edward D. Pinc, age 77. Dear son of the late Edward Pinc and the late Helen Pinc, nee Kozak; fond brother of June (Richard) Bunza and the late Donald E. Pinc (Janet Hickey); dear uncle of Donald Pinc, Jeffery (Linnea) Pinc, Eric Bunza and Amber Bunza; and many great- and great-great nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Monday, Aug. 24, at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard. Interment was at Mount Auburn Cemetery. For info: call 630-932-1500.
Clarence Sparks
Clarence “Bill” Sparks, age 92, of Eagle River, Wis., formerly of Villa Park and Elmhurst, Ill., died on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, at Avanti Health Care Center in Minocqua, Wis.
Bill was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps; and had been a member of both the VFW, where he was past commander, and the American Legion since 1943.
Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Betty Joyce; son, Scott (Laura); and grandchildren, Dwayne, Matthew and Heather (Tom). He was preceded in death by his son, Edwin “Eddy.”
Richard E. Wagner
Richard E. Wagner, 89, of Lombard, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015.
A memorial visitation will be held at First Church of Lombard from 4:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with a service at 6 p.m.
Shirley L. Ziemke
Shirley L. Ziemke, nee Thomas, age 84, of Glen Ellyn, died Tuesday, Aug. 18, at her home.
Her funeral service was held Friday, Aug. 21, with prayers from Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, to Mass at Sacred Heart Church. Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Call 888-629-0094 or visit www.brustfuneralhome.com for more information.
