Kimberly Ann Hix (Kim), age 53, formerly of LITH, Elgin, Park Ridge, Arlington Heights, and most recently Grayslake, IL, passed away Saturday, August 25, 2018 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, her “favorite place on the planet”.  

Kim graduated from St. Edward’s Catholic High School in 1983; received an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Elgin Community College, launching her into her chosen profession.  Kim had worked for Santa Fe Railroad, Rand McNally, DARC Corp., Aramark at the Universities of Chicago, and recently for UL in Northbrook, IL. 

She had a passion for reading, photography, music and dance, mainly ballet and tap.  She was on the board for the Chicago Tap Theater, and would also participate in the “Do It Yourself Messiah” for several years during the Christmas Season.  On February 2, 2006, Kim was introduced to a Celtic Rock Band from, as lead singer Alan Doyle would say, “The tropical island of Newfoundland”, Great Big Sea, and she never looked back.  Due to her interest in their music, she attended over 200 (I believe the exact number is 211, but who’s counting) Great Big Sea concerts and literally made hundreds of friends over a 12 year period of time from within the United States and Canada. 

Kim had a smile that was so welcoming and would light up any room, a robust laugh, and an enormous, caring and gentle heart, not to mention her outstanding sense of humor, witty charm and occasionally maddening stubbornness.   Kim was not just a sister, an aunt, a friend, a co-worker, a niece, or a cousin.  She was someone everyone looked forward to seeing, and picking up conversations where they left off as if time stood still.  Her motto was “Live with no excuses; love with no regrets”, and that she did.  She lived every day to the fullest and always found something positive in each and every day to share.  In reference to meeting people, she believed that strangers are friends at we haven’t yet met.

Kim is survived by her sister, Jennifer Hinners (Hix), and her nephew Zachery Hinners and her niece Emily Hinners.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Davis Hix and Bonnie Lee Mary Hix (Nockels) and her grandparents.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium LTD., 410 E. Belvedere Rd., Grayslake IL and a memorial mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL at 10:30 am, with visitation from 9:30 – 10:30.  A luncheon will follow mass.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Chicago Tap Theater (http://chicagotaptheatre.com) or the Kim Hix Memorial Fund for the Newfoundland & Labrador Folks Art Society (http://www.gofundme.com/Kim-Hix-memorial-fund) 

   

Patricia Jean (Stocking) Chapman-Burkel, 90, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in Grayslake, IL. She was born March 22, 1928 in Detroit, MI to Corrine and Vernon Hall. Patricia often said she was living the “life of riley”. She loved horses, art, fashion, music, and dancing. Patricia is survived by her children James (Matilda) Chapman, MaryEllen (David) Duncan, Michael (Brenda) Chapman, Patrice (David) Taube, Theresa (Steve) Wiley, William Chapman, Cecilia Gerber, Caroline Arbour, and Christopher (Sherry) Chapman, her 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and her brothers Jerome Stocking and John Stocking. She was preceded in death by her husband Norb, and her brothers Tom, Jim, and Vincent. A mass of Christian burial will take place Friday September 14, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Church 506 North Union St. Tecumseh, MI 49286 at 11:00am with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Arbor Hospice or the Salvation Army. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information on services, call (847) 223-8122, log onto www.strangfuneral.org or view our facebook page.

Robert was born on March 30, 1940 in Waukegan, Il. to Jonas C Fugett and Rosetta Yepsen Fugett. He passed away peacefully Friday, August 31st at Journey Care Hospice in Glenview, Illinois. He graduated from Warren Township High School in 1958, where he was an outstanding athlete in Football, Baseball and Basketball. He also met and dated his girlfriend Delora (Murt) Kerley at Warren and they ended up getting married in March of 1960 and have been married for 58 years. Survivors include his wife, Murt; sons, Mark, Bobby (Karen) and Joby; grandchildren, Jason, Michelle, Julianne, Miranda, Abby and Jamie. Also 9 great grandchildren, Cristian, Antonio, Carlito, Jaxson, Austin, Jeremy, Cameron, Natalie, Madison and Nathan who will be born in November. He is also survived by his Sister, Patricia Gragg, in Denver and many nieces and nephews. He retired from Rinella Beverage (Budweiser) after 37 years of service, then worked for Tollway for 5 years and then 10 years at Millburn School as a bus driver and took care of maintenance for buses. He loved to hunt and fish and was a die hard Greenbay Packer fan. Visitation will be at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and a funeral service will be held at the funeral chapel on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Our family would like to extend our thanks to Journey Care staff for the wonderful care that they gave Bob and all the help they gave us.

George W. Walters, 79, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Monday, August 27, 2018 at Claridge Healthcare Center.  He was born June 29, 1939 in Chicago, IL to William and Theresa Walters.  George enjoyed volunteering, especially with the Boy Scouts and The Chapel.  He was a Bears fan and attended worship services at The Chapel.  George is survived by his wife of 58 years, Regina, his children Deborah (Gerald) Kelly, Joseph (Susan) Walters, and Steven (Teara) Walters, his grandchildren Miranda and Jared Kelly, Hayley, Gabriella, Alison, and Ethan Walters, his sister Dorothy (Charles) Wieczorek, and many nieces and nephews.  George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John Walters, and his sister Louise Cerkleski.  A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, September 1, 2018 from 9:00am until 11:30am with the funeral service commencing at 11:30am at The Chapel 25270 ILL. 60 Grayslake, IL 60030.  Interment will be held privately.  All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For information, please call 847-223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org or our facebook page.

Karen L. Hord, 65, a 31 year resident of Grayslake, passed away Friday, August 10, 2018 surrounded by her family at Lake Forest Hospital. She was born May 1, 1953 in Chicago, IL to John and Lois Dama. Karen was an avid Cubs fan and a fan of Grayslake Central Baseball, Softball, and Cheer. She was even named honorary Grandmother to the baseball team. Karen worked for Colossal Gram in Grayslake for over 27 years and fundraised for American Heart Association and Cancer Society. She was a devoted grandmother. Karen is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ron, her mother Lois Dama, her children Kelly (Ryan) Buck, Tracy Hord, and Heather (Michael Carani) Hord, her grandchildren A.J., Trinity, Wesley, Ryleigh, Karina, Alexis, John, Liam, and Lucy, her siblings Lori Tokarz and Craig (May) Dama, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her dad and her brother Keith Dama. A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Friday, August 17, 2018 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm with a funeral service commencing at 7:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. Please proudly wear your Cubs or Rams gear to Karen’s visitation and service. Interment will be held privately. Memorial donations may be made to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation or the American Cancer Society. For more information on services, call (847) 223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Michael F. Gehrls, age 63, of Park City passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at his home.  He was born November 21, 1954 at St. Therese Hospital in Waukegan.  Mike enjoyed many things in life and was a kind heart who got along with those he passed in life. He was a very skilled painter and artist that loved the chance to show his children, grandchildren and anyone who wanted to learn how to draw and paint, especially the Flintstones and other fun cartoon characters.  As he spend most of his life working to support his family, Mike enjoyed being around his grandchildren the most during his retired years; helping raise each of them, enjoying how different each of them are and making memories with them. Mike will be most remembered for his love of all things and his spunky personality. There wasn’t a moment that he didn’t want to sit and talk while enjoying an ice cold Coke.  Mike is survived by his wife of 41 years, Christine, his children Sherry Best and Michael C. (Tara) Gehrls, his grandchildren Jessica and Justin Best, Haydn and Zackary Gehrls, his sister Joyce (Cliff) Olsen and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Norma, his sisters Delores, Beverly and Donna and his brother Donald. A Memorial Potluck is scheduled for Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Lake County Fairgrounds Meeting Room, 1060 East Peterson Road Grayslake, IL 60030. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family at 33183 N. Battershall Dr. Grayslake, IL 60030 or www.gofundme.com/MichaelFGehrls.  Arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  For information, please call 847-223-8122 or log on to www.strangfuneral.org.

 

Terry Garrison, of Mundelein, Illinois, loving husband of Robin, passed away at age 67 on August 8, 2018 at his home after a courageous battle with illness. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of the late Lois Jean Gibson and the late Arlin Bruce Garrison. He graduated from Mundelein High School in 1969 and Western Illinois University and had a successful career as a printing salesman. Terry is survived by his daughter, Jennifer and her husband Robert Blessing of Grayslake, Illinois; grandson, Jordan Blessing; and granddaughter on the way. He is also survived by his brother, Dale and his wife Doris Garrison of Gilbert, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Bruce, husband of Ginny Garrison. He will be remembered for his passion and talent as a musician and artist. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. A special thank you to the Vitas hospice nurses. For information, please call 847-223-8122 or go to www.strangfuneral.org.

Janyce A. Hodgson (nee Istvanek), age 80, of Wildwood passed away on July 25, 2018 at her home.  She was born on August 16, 1937 at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Kenosha, WI.  Janyce was a member of the St. Gilbert’s Catholic Church and the Lake County Homemakers Extension.  She worked as a controller at Liberty Coach and F.K. Foundries for 47 years.  She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Hodgson; daughter, Tamara (Michael) Worcester; son, Jeffrey (Debra) Hodgson; her sisters, Kathleen (Kit) Gordon, Marijo (Douglas) DeThorne; brother, Gregory (Patricia) Istvanek; grandchildren, Melissa Butler, Judie Butler, Kyle (Jessica) Worcester, Kristin (Matthew) Schultz, and Kimberly Worcester; and 9 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Jeanette Istvanek.

Friends of the family may visit at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Monday, August 6, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  The funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gilbert Catholic Church, 301 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL. Interment will be held Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL. For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or call (847)223-8122.