Obituaries

Matthew "Sonny" Joseph Nowakowski Sr., 74, passed away on December 21, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. He was born on September 11, 1951, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Matthew Nowakowski and Stella Marie Gustello.

Matt is lovingly remembered by his wife, Cheryl Nowakowski; his son, Matthew Nowakowski Jr., and...

Blythe Wilson Lee, born in Salt Lake City, Utah June 10, 1959, passed away in Chicago, Illinois November 3, 2025, at the age of 66.

Blythe worked as an art program director for Corporate Artworks, LLC. She served as vice-president of design and strategic solutions. Blythe used artwork and creative design to enhance...

Lois J. Raetzman
Lois J. Raetzman, age 91, resident of Elk Grove Village for 64 years, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, with family by her side. Born April 27, 1934, in Chicago, IL to the late Arthur and Alma (nee Guthaus) Youngquist.
Loving mother to Jim (Paula) Raetzman, Janeen (the late Ron) Wojcik and Nancy...

Sibley Kay Myers
Sibley Kay Myers, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026 in Vernon Hills, IL. She was born on December 7, 1945 in Hannibal, MO and had been a Libertyville, IL resident from 1981-2002, retiring to Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake, IL. Sibley was a former assistant administrator for...

Margarita Scharm-Payne
Margarita Scharm-Payne, 91, of rural Hoopeston, IL, formerly of Wheeling, IL, passed away at 10:29 A.M. Sunday, January 4, 2026, at her daughter's home. She was born August 25, 1934, in Jinotega, Nicaragua, the daughter of Jose M. and Herminia (Lopez) Rodriguez. She married Rick E. Payne on...

Evelyn (Nina) Fischesser
Evelyn (Nina) Fischesser, 82, passed away peacefully on Jan. 10, after a decade long battle with dementia.
Evelyn lived in Gurnee for many years and worked as an RN at both St. Theresa and Victory hospitals. After her retirement, her passion was going to Uganda, Africa to work with COVE and...

John Francis Vicha
John Francis Vicha, 83, died with the strength and dignity he lived his life on Thursday, December 11, surrounded by his adoring family in St. Charles, IL.
The eldest son of Joseph and Eunice Vicha, John was born on February 24, 1942, in Minot, North Dakota, where he grew up with his brothers,...

Joan E. Clowes
Joan E. Clowes (nee Hoke), 82, of Mount Prospect, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Beloved wife of George A. Clowes for 58 wonderful years. Loving mother of Sarah Clowes (Anton Crane) and Tom (Kristin) Clowes. Cherished grandmother of Leonie Crane. Dear sister of Gordon...

Lauran Fox-Jurka
Lauran Fox-Jurka, 72, of Johnsburg, IL, passed away on January 7, 2026. A woman whose presence could brighten any room, Lauran lived her life with a rare combination of joy, generosity, and unwavering compassion.
Born into a loving family, she was preceded in death by her father, Larry Fox, her...

Marsha Ann Ulbrich
Marsha Ann Ulbrich (nee Minton), 77, of North Barrington, formerly of Mount Prospect, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026, in the company of family, after a period of declining health.
She was born May 17, 1948 in Indianapolis to the late Bernie and Dorothy (nee Groene) Minton. At six years...

Maureen Alice Mooney
Maureen Alice Mooney, nee Cain, age 77, of Villa Park, Illinois. Loving mother of Chris (Kara) Mooney; devoted grandmother of Cara, Catherine, and the late Patrick Mooney; fond sister of Gerald (Mary) Cain, Andrea (the late Joe) Winters, Lawrence Cain, the late Charles Cain, and the late Paul...

Joan Marilyn (Hrovatin) Kilkelly
Joan Marilyn (Hrovatin) Kilkelly, born May 15, 1931, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Waukegan, IL, the town where she went through all phases of life. She married Paul B. Kilkelly on August 19, 1950, and the two of them...