Robert “Bob” L. Welch, 92, a former resident of Round Lake and most recently of Lindenhurst, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025.  He was born February 18, 1932, in Chicago, IL to Russell and Virginia (nee: Lukasiewicz) Welch.

Bob was a graduate of Antioch High School and a veteran of the US Army and US Air Force having served during the Korean War for the Army Rangers where he received his Purple Heart. He married Sharon Hendee on September 21, 1957.  He grew up in the Lake Villa area and worked for Liberty/Skokie Valley Asphalt from 1958 until his retirement in 1990, as part of the Midwest Operating Engineers Union Local 150.  Bob enjoyed woodworking, loved to hunt, and was a true collector.

Bob is survived by his children Robert “Bob” (Patty) Welch Jr, Rennae (the late Randy) Talbert, Ryan (Terrilyn) Welch, Randy (JerriLynn) Welch, and his son-in-law Dan (Kristin) Muehlfelder, his grandchildren Josh (Margie) Talbert, Katie (Jason) Hocin, Jake Welch, Kayla (Zach) Shannon, Preston (Lizzie) Muehlfelder, Cody Welch, and Taylor Muehlfelder, his great-grandchildren Emma, Weston, Jameson, Jaxon, Peyton, Jennings (JR), and Ava, and his brothers Ron Welch and Rick (Ann) Welch, and his sister Patti Jahneke.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sharon Welch, his daughter Rhonda Welch Muehlfelder, his brother Raymond, and his son-in-law Randy Talbert.

A memorial visitation and service are scheduled for Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm with the service commencing at 3:00pm.  Inurnment will be held at Fort Sheridan Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the Honor Flight. For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122. 

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/6P86YTJTW775HKDD

Terrence “Terry” Walter Reeder, a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and loyal friend, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Terry was born June 20, 1953, in Racine, WI, to Alice and James Reeder. After living in Kenosha, WI, the family moved to Park Ridge, IL. He graduated from Maine South High School in 1971 and, later in life, proudly served on the Reunion Committee for many years. After a brief stint at the University of Illinois, he transferred to Taylor University, where he graduated with a double major in Business and Economics. He was a member of Taylor’s wrestling team and a proud resident of 3rd Morris. He and his wife of 47 years, Denise, also met at Taylor. Terry received his Master’s from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Terry and Denise were blessed with four children: Jim (Sara), Joe, Emily (Zach), and Ellen. Having lost his father at the age of 8, Terry diligently worked to provide a great childhood for his children. He loved helping them with school projects, helping with or watching them play sports or make music, and feeding them and their friends in countless get-togethers.  He also taught his children the value of volunteerism by going with Jim and Joe to Mexico to build houses for families in need through the youth group at South Park Church.  He deeply loved his grandchildren, Benjamin, Olivia, and Jaden, and enjoyed seeing their sporting events, building small projects with them, and just watching them play and have fun.

Terry loved people and was generous with both his money and his time. He devoted many hours to the Park Ridge Jaycees, the Lutheran General Men’s Association, and Boy Scout Troop 50. That love of people helped Terry excel throughout his career.  After founding and operating Reeder Landscaping, Terry spent 23 successful years in sales with ServiceMaster, in addition to having successful sales positions with other companies.

Terry loved sports, as a player and as a fan. He enjoyed playing football, wrestling, and playing 16″ softball. He was an avid Chicago sports fan, celebrating both the Cubs and White Sox World Series and loved the Fighting Irish. Terry and friends Jeff, Brian, and Vaughn took an annual fishing trip for over 45 years. That event eventually grew to include their sons. Sunrise Lodge on Lac Vieux Desert held a very special place in his heart for all the lifelong memories he made there with family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the amazing staff of Rush University Medical Center, especially his comfort care nurses. Their excellent care brought comfort to Terry and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and James, and his brother Tom. He is survived by his beloved wife, Denise; his children, Jim (Sara), Joe, Emily (Zach), and Ellen; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Olivia, and Jaden; his sister Carolyn and brother Dennis; and numerous extended relatives and friends.  Terry will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his warmth, humor, generosity, and the love he shared with all who knew him.

A memorial will be held at South Park Church in Park Ridge, IL, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, beginning at 1:00 pm with services at 2:00 pm. All arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Samaritan’s Purse, as Terry was dedicated to helping children and families in need.

Lawrence J. Vanover, 62, of Highland Park, Il, passed away peacefully from complications related to Multiple Sclerosis on December 26, 2024 in Highland Park.  He was born on December 6, 1962 in Waukegan, IL to Jon and Dorothy Vanover.

Larry worked at Hewitt Associates in Lincolnshire, IL. Larry was huge Chicago Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls fan. He was also a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Even during his long illness, he maintained a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.

Larry is survived by his father, Jon (Char) Vanover of Sun City West, AZ; his brother, Greg (Tricia) Vanover of Windermere, FL, his aunt & uncle,  Janice & Ed Shultis of Grayslake, IL; his aunt, Rosalie Daywalt of Sterling Heights, MI; and his nieces, Lauren (Wes) Schreiner of Winter Garden, FL, and Emily Vanover of Windermere, FL. He is preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Vanover and his uncle, Ken Daywalt.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Warren Barr North Shore and Journeycare hospice.

A Funeral Service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:30am. A visitation will be held at the funeral chapel on Saturday from 9:30am until 11:30am. Interment will be held at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org. 

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 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Martha Ruiz on December 3, 2024. Born in Tsingtao, China, Martha was a cherished mother, wife, aunt, great-aunt, and friend to many.

 Martha was a strong and independent woman whose passion for learning earned her a degree from Florida State College. Martha was adventurous; she began her career as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines, embracing the opportunity to travel and connect with people from all walks of life. This led to her meeting Jose Guillermo, her husband of 50 years, and living in Puerto Rico for several years. This is where her beloved daughter, Vanessa, was born. Guille’s job moved the family to Mainland U.S., where they lived in California, Atlanta, Chicago and lastly the suburbs of Chicago. Over the years, her career evolved, ultimately leading her to become an Executive Assistant at Baxter and later at Abbott. She dedicated herself to her work at both companies and continued to fulfill her responsibilities up until her last few days.

 Family was everything to Martha.  She was always present to support her, brother, sister and nieces in Jacksonville, FL.  A special occasion or event was never missed.  Martha flew frequently to Jacksonville to spend quality time with her loved ones, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to family ties.  She adored her two puppies, Jaxson and Mickey, as well as all other cherished pets she had through her life. 

 Martha had a zest for life and will be remembered for her dry humor, love of scary movies, and joy in swimming and entertaining poolside during the brief Illinois summers. Her warmth and kindness touched the lives of many, creating lasting memories for all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Vanessa Ruiz; her sister Nancy (Joseph) Shray; her nieces, Savannah (Denver) Mayo, and Amelia (Brian Roberts) Shray; her great-niece, Everly Mayo. She also leaves behind many dear friends. Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Guille; her parents, Lewis (Rex), and Marjorie (Margie) Clements; and her beloved brother, Milton Clements, who passed away earlier this year in April.

A visitation will be held at the funeral chapel from 2 PM until 4 PM on Saturday, January 4, 2025. A memorial service will follow at 4 PM at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Martha’s spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those she loved and touched.

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/D8Q3KGTSH4Z3MK42

Rae Anne (Utermark) Yost, 88 of Grayslake, IL formerly Gurnee, IL passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and attended Carl Schurz High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, James W. Yost.  They were married for 61 years. Rae Anne began her work career as a telephone operator for Illinois Bell, before taking on positions as Treasurer and Secretary to the Superintendent of Gurnee Grade School District 56 and Human Resources Director at NICASA. Rae Anne was Pack Leader for the Cub Scouts, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, and Charter member and Treasurer of the Gurnee Woman’s Club. She was a parishioner at St. Mary of the Annunciation in Mundelein, IL as well as bookkeeper and member of the Bible Study Group.  

Rae Anne was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, and delighted in them winning all Championship and Super Bowl games. She enjoyed reading, and attending musicals, plays and the theatre. She loved playing pinochle, board games and cards with her family as well as with her friends at both Saddlebrook and Alto Senior Living. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, Alaska, the east coast and her cabin, Pineloft in Wisconsin. She adored her grandchildren and was often captive to their stories about school, friends, travels, and life. Rae Anne will be most remembered for her kindness towards others, and making others feel as if she had known them their whole lives.  

Rae Anne is survived by her children: Cynthia (Yost) Carlino of Oakwood Hills, IL, Victoria (Yost) Daniels of Scroggins, TX, Timothy and Kimberly (Mueller) Yost of Bakewell, TN, Wendelyn (Yost) and Daniel Gwaltney of Grayslake, IL, Patrick and Kathryn (Short) Yost of Wauconda, IL and Michael and Laura (Gaughan) Yost of Island Lake, IL; her grandchildren: Jared and Crystal (Rickard) Yost, Jacob and Kirby (Waddell) Yost, Emily (Yost) and Amber Clark, Zackery and Melissa (Sanchez) Yost, Peter and Theresa (Carlson) Daniels, Laura (Daniels) and Zachary Bennett,  Maggie (Daniels) and Justin Granger, Nicholas and Rosaleen (McSorley) Carlino, Anna (Carlino) and Brett Glavey, Bryn and Brooke (Solomon) Gwaltney, Joshua and Kimberly (Sobeski) Gwaltney, and Dr. Ian and Cynthia (Cardenas) Gwaltney, Dr. James Yost, Margaret Yost, John (Jack) Yost and Ethan Yost and her 21 great grandchildren: Elizabeth Daniels, Finn Daniels, Penelope Daniels, Chance Sanchez, Otto Yost, Fox Yost, Fletcher Yost, Fielden Yost, Wilder Clark, Whitley Clark, Hunter Yost, Briggs Yost, Remi Carlino, Christopher Carlino, Michael Carlino, Emma Glavey, baby Glavey due soon, Owen Gwaltney, Logan Gwalthey, Liam Gwaltney, and Olivia Gwaltney. She is also survived by her brother Thomas Taylor and her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Yost, her mother, Anna Florig, her father, Raymond Utermark, her sons-in-law Daniel Carlino and Todd Daniels, her grandson, Jonathan J. Carlino, her siblings Terrance Taylor and Mary Karen (Taylor) Khollman, and nephew, Ralph Khollman.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4pm until 7pm with a memorial service beginning at 7:00 pm, on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Strang Funeral Home, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 22333 W. Erhart Rd, Mundelein, IL  60060.  Private Interment following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: support.woundedwarriorproject.org or donate.brightfocus (Alzheimer’s Disease Research)

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/XXTHDSJHFCKC3Y2L

Heidi L. Johnson, 74, a resident of Gurnee, IL, passed away December 16, 2024, at her home.  She was born September 22, 1950, in Chicago, IL to Donald and Kathryn (nee: Kirkwood) Johnson.

Heidi was a strong, loving, caring, helpful, funny person.  Her strength was an inspiration. She loved spending time with her family and her fur children.  Sitting with her bird Chempy on her head, taking her dog Sandy for walks and to the dog park were some of her favorite things.  She retired from the post office after many years and drove a school bus for a short time after that.  She will be forever in our hearts and greatly missed.

Heidi is survived by her sister Kathy (Jeff) Lippeth of Grayslake, IL, her nieces Jen Gray, Sarah (Janson) Luedtke, and Anna Lippeth, her nephew Jake (Tiffany) Johnson, her great-nieces and great-nephews Dominic, Lily, Cash, Barrett, Elle, Quinn, Serenity and Jacob, her loving aunts and uncle Delores Robbins, George Kirkwood, Madely Bruno, and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe Borgini, her brother Eric Johnson, her son Jason Johnson, her niece Erica Johnson, and her precious pets Sandy Chemper.

All funeral arrangements were privately held and entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Alexander Andrew Hughes, age 38, of Hainesville, IL, passed away on December 19, 2024 at his home.  Alex was born on May 20, 1986 in Lake Forest, IL to Stephen and Ann Marie (nee Stark) Hughes.

Alexander, affectionately known as Al, was a kind, humorous, and selfless soul who brightened the lives of all who knew him. He had a passion for simple joys, whether it was enjoying a light beer while watching a Chicago White Sox game, bowling with family, or indulging in his favorite meals—burgers and spaghetti. An avid fan of Major League Baseball, his love for the game was only matched by his dedication to his favorite team, the White Sox. Al also had a unique affection for garbage trucks, always keeping track of everyone’s garbage schedules, a testament to his attention to detail and caring nature. His love for life, humor, and warmth will forever be remembered by those who were lucky enough to have known him.

Alexander is survived by his parents, Stephen and Ann Marie; his sisters, Katie and Cristina, his sister-in-law, Heather; his brother-in-law, Rushi Patel, his grandparents, Helen and Edwin Hughes and his beloved friend, Monkey.  He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Delphine Stark; and grandfather, Angelo Stark.  

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.  Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choosing in Al’s honor. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/WNXH5XQHRNW9738F

John “Jack” R. Wade, Jr., age 81, of Grayslake, IL, passed away on December 17, 2024 at his home.  He was born on August 3, 1943 in Evanston, IL to John Sr. and Catherine (nee Mahoney) Wade.

Jack’s greatest love was his family and friends, of which he had many of both. Jack had that warm friendly personality and infectious smile that would light up any room or person(s) that he came in contact with. Jack loved spending his free time with family and friends watching all kinds of sports, especially football. Jack worked most of his life as a food salesperson, brokering various companies’ food products. He really enjoyed interacting with his customers, always wanting to help add value to the bottom line.

Jack is survived by his wife, Helen; his sons, Sean and Brian (Marcie); his grandchildren, Colin, Maddie, Taylor, Ashley Kidd, Khala Lunsford, and Melissa Lunsford; his siblings, Judy Nierman, Kathy Elster, Kevin (Connie), Terry (Joe) Marino, Ellen (David) Beals; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Lou Coudal.

A Memorial Service will be held at the The Chapel, 1966 W. Hawley St., Mundelein, IL 60060 on Saturday, January 4, 2024 at 11am.  A Memorial Visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Friday, January 3, 2024 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Interment will be held privately. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

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Pleas “Lee” Brewer, age 84, of Lakemoor, IL, passed away on December 17, 2024 at JourneyCare Hospice Center in Barrington, IL.  He was born on January 14, 1940 in Gray, KY to Pleas and Viola (nee Engle) Brewer.

Lee moved to Chicago from Kentucky in 1965 with Jessie. They were looking for a better life than Kentucky could offer at the time and start a family. Their first son, Rodney, was born in 1968.  Daryl followed in 1974 and Timothy arrived in 1975. Lee worked very hard to give his wife and sons all that he could. At times, he worked three jobs to support his little family. Through the best of times and the hardest of times, Lee always had a smile on his face. He was always willing to help people in need and lend a hand. Lee’s greatest loves in life was his wife and sons. His first grandchild, Megan, was born in 1994. Mary Rose followed a few years later in 1999. His first great-grandchild, Austin was born in 2022. Lee doted over them and loved them so. Besides his family, Lee’s other great loves were fishing and tinkering with his VW Bug. He was very proud of his car and loved taking it to car shows in the area.  Anyone that met Lee quickly became a friend. He could chat it up with the best of them and would tell the best stories, even though some of them got told over and over. You never grew tired of hearing them. Lee was loved by all, and this world was a better place with him. He leaves a hole behind that could never be filled. We are all heartbroken. Lee will be greatly missed, but Heaven  gained an angel that will give all other angels a run for their money. There’s probably none better than him up there right now. We all love you so much.

Lee is survived by his wife, Jessie, of 59 ½ years whom he married on June 19, 1965 in Chicago; his sons, Rodney (Kimberly) of Lakemoor, Daryl (Chrissy) of Bolingbrook, and Timothy (Maria) of Arizona; his grandchildren, Megan of Skokie, Mary Rose of Libertyville, Matt (Alyssa) of Wisconsin, and Joshua of Bolingbrook; his great grandson, Austin; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Monus, Edward, and Christine.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 7:30pm at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  A visitation will be held at the funeral chapel on Friday from 5:00pm until 9:00pm.  Interment will be held privately. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral .org. 

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/7X52DSLMS4NGX527

Barbara Linskey (nee Kokum) was born October 4, 1932, in Chicago. Her parents were Isabelle (nee Wheeler) and Barndt Kokum, and her older brother was John Kokum. After moving to Skokie, Barbara attended St. Peter’s Catholic School and Niles Township High School, where her writing days began as the editor of the school newspaper. She went on to Beloit College, where she was a journalism major and met lifelong friends who started the Beloit Bridge Club, the “BBC”, and all remained tightly connected for the next 70+ years.

After college, she enjoyed an early career in advertising in Chicago before marrying the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Edward Linskey, in 1955. For the next 65 years, they enjoyed a beautiful life journey together, created a home in the Chicago suburbs and raised their four daughters.

She remained rooted in her spiritual life at St. Raymond Church in Mt Prospect as editor of the church bulletin. Once her children were older, she started her “second career” with the Steel Founders Society as both their Technical Publications Editor and planner for their national and international meetings. This later-in-life career gave her and our dad extensive opportunities for travel, which they loved. Throughout their journey they visited 48 of the 50 states and many countries, where lifelong friendships and beautiful family memories were made.

Affectionately known as “Koko” to her many friends and, later, to her grandchildren, she loved lively conversation and was a great listener, always interested in what people had to say, especially if it involved reading, gardening or food! She was a creative spirit and accomplished writer known as the “historian” and documentarian, capturing all of life’s major events for family and friends with cherished stories and photos.

She was ever the optimist – her motto to live by was “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” She was a loving wife and mother with a radiant spirit who was devoted to her family. We were blessed by her nurturing nature, guidance, and unconditional love.

Her enduring life legacy will be carried on by the many who loved her and will miss her dearly, including daughters Dr. Gail (Dr. Richard) Rosseau, Kay (Kevin) Slawin, Diane (Mark) Hauser and Margaret Linskey; grandchildren Elizabeth (Neil) Trainor, Laura (Ryan) Johnson, Ryan (Nikki) Slawin, Dr. Natalie and Brendan Rosseau, Sam and Andrew Hauser, and Madelyn (Linskey) Jones; and great-grandchildren Celeste and Audrey Trainor, and Clara and Jay Johnson.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at St Raymond Church in Mt Prospect, IL: st-raymond.org. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Lester “Ray” Linder, age 84, of Hainesville, IL, formerly of Salem IL, passed away on December 15, 2024, at home.  He was born July 14, 1940, in Randolph, IL.  An army veteran, he was the son of the late Henry and Leota (Wells) Linder. 

Ray married his high school sweetheart, Gloria “Jean” (Buchanan) Linder on June 14, 1959, in Sims, IL.  They were blessed with 51 years of marriage. She preceded him in death June 15, 2010. 

Ray is survived by his children Karl Linder and Staci (Dave) Parmer of Hainesville, IL; his grandchildren Joshua, Robert, Keila, Lacie, Justin, Brendan, Nathan, and Jordan; great-grandchildren, including Christopher; sister Thelma “Kay” (Raymond “Andy”) Anderson of Hendersonville, NC; many extended family members; and his special buddy/granddog Oreo.

Services will be held at a later date at the chapel in Thomason Cemetery in Wayne City, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Evergreen Christian Church in Salem, IL or The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Local arrangements are entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL. 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Arrangements in Wayne City, IL will be made through Young Funeral Home.  www.youngfuneralhomellc.com.

Lester “Ray” Linder, age 84, of Hainesville, IL, formerly of
Salem IL, passed away on December 15, 2024, at home.  He was born July 14, 1940, in Randolph,
IL.  An army veteran, he was the son of
the late Henry and Leota (Wells) Linder. 
 Ray married his high school sweetheart, Gloria “Jean”
(Buchanan) Linder on June 14, 1959, in Sims, IL.  They were blessed with 51 years of marriage.
She preceded him in death June 15, 2010. 
 Ray is survived by his children Karl Linder and Staci (Dave)
Parmer of Hainesville, IL; his grandchildren Joshua, Robert, Keila, Lacie,
Justin, Brendan, Nathan, and Jordan; great-grandchildren, including
Christopher; sister Thelma “Kay” (Raymond “Andy”) Anderson of Hendersonville,
NC; many extended family members; and his special buddy/granddog Oreo. Services will be held at a later date at the chapel in Thomason
Cemetery in Wayne City, IL.  In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to Evergreen Christian Church in Salem,
IL or The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Local arrangements are entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel
& Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL. 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact
(847)223-8122. Arrangements in Wayne City, IL will be made through Young
Funeral Home. 
www.youngfuneralhomellc.com.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Bryan Gerwin, of Round Lake, Illinois, who suddenly passed in his home on December 9, 2024, at the age of 42. Matthew is survived by his loving wife, Milena of 11 years of marriage, whom he married on October 11, 2013; his sons Lucas Mathew and Benjamin Miles; his parents Bob (Connie) and Pam, and older brother Mike of Michigan.

Born on March 24, 1982, in Royal Oak, Michigan, Matt was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a kind, quiet, and selfless soul who always put his family first. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including traveling with his family, good Colombian food, and sharing these joyful moments with his loved ones and friends. Matt was a big Spartan at heart having graduated from Michigan State University and was happiest when cheering for his favorite team or creating cherished memories when visiting back home. He had an infectious enthusiasm for life and was a huge sports fan with a deep love for the Lions team. He also had a passion for building and fixing things and studied Packaging Engineering. In this field, his talent for problem-solving and detailed engineering expertise with project planning shined throughout his career as a Project Manager in Packaging at Hollister Incorporated in Libertyville, Illinois, for over 10 years. Matt brought a sense of inspiration to everyone he worked with closely.

Matt’s warm heart, sharp mind, and unwavering love for his family will be deeply missed, but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy of love, kindness, and devotion will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. To commemorate his remarkable life, a visitation and funeral service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m with the service commencing at 7:00pm . Interment will be held privately. For more information, please call (847) 223-8122 or visit stangfunderal.org.

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/MQJ7RF6X6WX92LLM

John Vincent Majerowski passed away on Friday December 6, 2024, at his home.  He was born January 18, 1971, to Robert & Suzanne Majerowski of Niles, Illinois.  John is the proud father of John “Jack” Montgomery and Landin Jacob and the dear loving friend of former spouse Amanda.  He’s the loving brother of Rob and Laura.

John grew up in Niles, Illinois where he was involved in scouting, music and local sports as a youth.  And it was here in Niles, at Oakton Manor Park, where John met some of his lifelong friends back in kindergarten and first grade.  Oakton Manor was an amazing congregation spot for neighborhood kids, and John enjoyed all the pick-up baseball and football games, or games of tag, that everyone played each day after school until the dinner bell rang.  Oakton Manor was the foundation of his lifelong friendships.

John graduated from Maine East High School in Park Ridge, class of 1989, and went to Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  He continued his education while in the working world by earning his Master of Business Administration from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management in 2003.  In the professional world, he started his career in procurement and product management at Grainger where he worked for over 11 years before moving on to Snap-On Tools serving as a director in multiple product sourcing positions for the last 19 years.

John was the rock star of the family, being involved in music from a young age.  First it was a little piano, and then some tuba in the high school marching band, but his true musical love was the guitar, practicing diligently so he could emulate his heroes, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.  It was in high school when he and his neighborhood buddies started their first band, Destiny, playing covers of the Black Crowes and the J Geils Band.  As he continued improving his guitar playing, he performed in the bands Stone Diam and Greatmother, quickly moving from playing covers to writing originals. They increased their local presence and musical chops playing gigs at local bars and events.

A couple of years later, it was The Onlys, a band that took its stage presence to a completely new level by establishing a creepy, ghoulish, undead vibe and persona.  John became Johnny Krypt, their ‘undead’ lead guitarist. The Onlys evolved into the Rosedales, further amping up their ghoul vibe on stage, their musicianship, vocal harmonies, and their original song writing.  Numerous gigs and professionally produced albums & CDs followed.  Check out the Rosedales on Spotify!

John was so unabashedly proud of his boys, loving to share every minute of their academic, musical, and especially athletic pursuits and successes.  He was committed to attending their games both as a spectator and as an active participant as a coach or on the sidelines, supporting the boys’ basketball, baseball, and football teams both at the club level and at Antioch High School.  It was through the boys’ sports teams that John cultivated awesome long-lasting friendships with the “sports parents’ network” in and around Antioch as they traveled state to state to watch their kids compete on the baseball diamond. 

John loved to entertain.  He was a grill master and always wanted to be the host.  He had a great sense of humor, was quick witted and was a fine connoisseur of fart jokes(!). Boy, could he really make people laugh, especially himself!  Sometimes he’d be making himself laugh so hard he couldn’t get the words out.  He truly loved humor.

John loved everything Bears, Bulls, and Cubs, and was a rock music aficionado, enjoying tons of classic hard rock concerts over the years with his band buddies.  Ozzy, Scorps, Maiden, Rush, Priest…he saw them all and built so many great memories with his friends by attending these shows.   Music was something that really captured his heart and soul: playing it, listening to it, and experiencing it live with friends. To honor John, please take the time to enjoy your favorite music with your friends and family!

Visitation and memorial service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Sunday December 15, from 12:00pm-4:00 pm, with words of remembrance starting at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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Julie Ann Abbinanti, 61, a resident of Lake Villa, passed away December 8, 2024 at her home.  She was born July 27, 1963 in Libertyville, IL to Dale and Loretta Zoe Steinhaus.

Julie was an avid gardener especially gardening in her flower beds.  She loved her dogs and worked part time as a Vet Tech.  Julie liked spending time with her family and loved her kids and grandkids.

Julie is survived by her husband of 39 years, Jack Abbinanti, her mother Loretta Zoe Steinhaus, her sons Daniel (Megan) Abbinanti and Dale (Marisa) Abbinanti, her grandchildren Chase, Lennox, and Axel Abbinanti, her siblings Tab (Candace) Steinhaus, Bret (Mary Ann) Steinhaus, and Vickie (Donnie) Wancho, and her dogs Bailey and Brandi.  She was preceded in death by her father Dale Steinhaus.

All funeral arrangements were held privately and entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Harry D. McDonald, 88, of Gurnee, IL, passed away on December 8, 2024. He was born September 25,1936 in Libertyville, Illinois to Harry and Rebecca (nee Black) McDonald. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Libertyville. He served in the army, stationed in Germany. In 2001 Harry retired from the biomedical department at the VA Medical Center in North Chicago. He was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. Harry really loved being on the pontoon boat, relaxing on the water and fishing. He also enjoyed flying model airplanes. He was a wonderful husband and father, who was always there when we needed him the most, offering help, wisdom, wit, and unconditional love.

Harry is survived by his wife, JoAn, of 64 years; his children, James (Jennie) McDonald of Spring Grove, IL, Shari (Ron) Gryzik of Gurnee, IL, and Steven J. McDonald of Gurnee, IL; and his grandchildren, Abigail Gryzik, Jack Gryzik, Madilyn Gryzik, and Bradley Gryzik. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Delores Roe.

A Funeral Service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Graylake, IL 60030 on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 11am.  A visitation will be held on Friday at the funeral chapel from 10am until the time of service.  Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

William Z (Bill) Karda, born in Germany on Nov. 27, 1948. Died peacefully at his home on December 6, 2024 with his loving wife at his side. 

A retired Chicago Firefighter; Bill also proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as a United States Marine Corps Sniper. 

Bill is survived by his wife Patricia (nee Cukla), the love of his life and high school sweetheart. They married July 7, 1973 and had 51 beautiful years together. Also survived by his son, Ed Karda and granddaughter, Emily Karda. Sister, Theresa (Michael) Petty; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Bob) Scamen; Ann (Henry) Karda; Donna (Ed) Karda and Elizabeth (Wally) Karda. 

Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. 

Bill was preceded in death by his loving parents, Jozef and Antonina Karda and parents-in-laws, Edward and Lottie Cukla. Also, preceding Bill in death were his brothers, Henry, Joseph, Edward, Walter and Thomas.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm.  A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2024 at St. Mary of Annunciation 22333 W. Erhart Rd. Mundelein, IL 60050 at 10:00am.  Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL at 1:00pm.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)-223-8122. 

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Alice Barry, age 61, a resident of Round Lake Beach, IL, passed away on November 22, 2024 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. She was born on December 27, 1962 in Chicago to Leonard and Doris Barry.

Alice is survived by her son, Joshua; her siblings, Lora Barry, John (Carrie) Barry, and Tim Barry; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 7pm. A visitation will be held at the funeral chapel from 5pm until the time of service. Interment will be held privately.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StangFuneral.org.