Emmit H. Lehman, 86, a resident of Grayslake, IL passed away Monday, July 11, 2016. He was born May 16, 1930 in Jackson, MI to Clarence and Mary Lehman. Emmit was a veteran having served with the US Army and was a Scout Master and Cub Pack Leader with the Boy Scouts. He worked in the food industry his entire career. Emmit enjoyed gardening, was an avid reader, and most of all was a devoted husband and father. Emmit is survived by his wife of 62 years, Juanita, his children Dale (Kathy), Gary (Marcy), Sheryl (Alfonso) Acevedo, and Linda, his grandchildren Andrea (Bill), Geoffrey, Melissa (Matt), Jocelyn,

Elizabeth (Joe), Samuel, and David, his great-grandchildren Bridget, Samara, Gabriel, Rose, and Eve, and his siblings Erma Lewis, Lloyd (Jeanine), Phidela (Raymond) Daniel, Gene (Karen) and Alice (Wayne) Purrett. He was preceded in death by his parents. A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Saturday July 16, 2016 from 12:30pm until 1:30pm with the funeral service commencing at 1:30pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will follow at Warren Cemetery in Gurnee. Memorial donations may be made to Advocate Hospice 365 Surryse Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 60047 or to the Mundelein Church of the Nazarene 1515 W. Maple Ave. Mundelein, IL 60060. For more information please contact (847) 223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org

Gregory Allen Pankow, 69, of Third Lake passed away Monday July 11, 2016 peacefully at home with his wife and daughter by his side, after a brief illness. He was born May 10^th, 1947 in Chicago to Edwin and Emma Pankow. Gregory was baptized into the Christian faith on May 25^th, 1947 and made public confession of his faith at his confirmation on September 19^th, 1982. He married Donna Mae Krumrey on April 30^th, 1983. Their first home was in Libertyville and later moved to Third Lake, IL. After graduation from high school, where he was a member of ROTC for 4 years, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for 5 years during the Vietnam War. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve for 4 years. He had great love and pride for his country. He also worked for Northwest Airlines for 39 years in the capacity of Equipment Service, and had many friends there. Greg was very involved in play activities with his two grandchildren, Maddy and Jonny, and his cat Neo. His pride and joy were his flower gardens. For 32 years he was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Libertyville by volunteering for many activities. He also was a recipient of a heart transplant and survived almost 5 years. Previous to that he endured an external heart pump for 17 months. He endured the many trips to St. Lukes Hospital in Wisconsin with his devoted wife Donna and by his strong faith. Greg leaves behind his beloved wife Donna (nee: Krumrey) of 32 years, loving daughter Deanna (her former husband Jeremy) and cherished grandchildren Madison and Jonathan Aiken. He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Emma Pankow. Greg also leaves behind his brothers Eddy (Cathy) Pankow of Marengo, IL, and Kenneth (Marilee) Pankow of Florida and sister Eileen (Roger) Harris of Kansas and nieces and nephews Jeana, Justin, Kathy (Gary), Richard (Liz), and Michael (Diana). He leaves behind brothers-in-law Eddie (the late Mary) Krumrey, Donald Krumrey and sister-in-law Nancy (Roger) Santagato and also many distant relatives and many caring friends at his church where he participated in evening and Sunday morning Bible class. Friends may visit Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 9:00am until 11:00am with a funeral service commencing at 11:00am at St. John Lutheran Church 501 W. Park Ave. Libertyville, IL with Pastor Raddatz officiating. Interment will follow at Warren Cemetery in Gurnee. Luncheon will follow at church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Heart Transplant Association at St. Lukes. For more information please contact (847) 223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org

Jose Villamil Alonzo, age 86, of Hainesville, passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He was born August 30, 1929 Dagupan City, Philippines to Jose T. and Leoncia (Villamil) Alonzo. Jose was a former employee of Voice of America and EWTN-Alabama. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Round Lake. He is survived by his children, Ramon S. (Mely) Alonzo of Manila, Philippines, Angelina A. (Ben) Iligan of Texas, Hercules S. Alonzo of Hainesville, Wilfredo S. (Amy) Alonzo of Hainesville, Renato S. (May) Alonzo of Texas, Teodorico S. (Haydee) Alonzo of Orland Hills, and Joel S. (JoAnn) Alonzo of Gurnee; daughter-in-law, Beth Alonzo of California; grandchildren, Ramonoto Alonzo, Paul Simon Alonzo, Monique Alonzo, Jessica Iligan, Jonathan Iligan, Van Joseph Iligan, Murray Alonzo, Louis Alonzo, Uriel Alonzo, Lynus Alonzo, Andrew Lee Alonzo, Rachel Alonzo, Ryan Alonzo, Celine Alonzo, Charlize Nicole Alonzo, Nathan Alonzo and Nicholas Zachary Alonzo. Jose was preceded in death by his wife, Cresencia; his parents; sons, Isagani S. and Rosauro; and his siblings, Elvira, Ruben, Gloria, Genaro, Adoracion, and Concepcion. Friends of the family may visit from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2016, at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 114 North Lincoln Ave., Round Lake. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org

Michelle Kowalski-Helle, age 57, a resident of Grayslake, passed away Friday, July 8, 2016. She was born March 5, 1959 in Southampton, PA. She was an architect and mother. Michelle is survived by her husband, Robert H. Helle whom she married on September 16, 1989; daughter, Emily; son, Andrew; brother, Nick; sisters, Celeste and Lisa. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen; and father, Andrew. Michelle was born in Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children.  She graduated from the University of Notre Dame as an architect.  As a young girl she knew she would go there, despite the fact that it was not open to women.  She was very proud to be part of the fifth class of women admitted to Notre Dame. There she met the love of her life, her husband Bob. She worked as an architect in Chicago until Emily arrived, and the family relocated to Prairie Crossing in Grayslake shortly after Andrew came along. Everything Michelle did, she did beautifully and with passion; cooking, knitting, quilting, gardening, and designing. She was deeply committed to her family, a wonderful listener, a devoted sister, and a dear friend to many. A visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friends and family will meet at church on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee, IL 60031 for a 10:30 a.m. funeral mass. Interment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN at 1:00 p.m. eastern or 12pm noon central, Thursday, July 14, 2016. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Literature For All Of Us, 2010 Dewey Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 or www.literatureforallofus.org. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Ruth Miller, 63, a resident of Round Lake Beach, passed away Monday, June 27, 2016, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 3, 1953 in Libertyville to Richard and Jeanette (nee: Dunn) Edwards. For most, you may think of death as the final page.  However, for Ruth Miller, the woman formerly known as Aunt Fudge, Ruru, Pretty Grandma, Grandma, wife, sister and mom… Her memory lives on through every life that she’s touched. Always thinking of everyone else around her, more than herself. Ruth is survived by her husband of 40 years, Perry, her daughters Kelly (Jesus) Martinez of Fox Lake, Ashley (Tim) Volling, and Sydney Taylor of Round Lake Beach, her grandchildren Adrian, Divinity, Jenica, Sophia, and Greyden, and her brother Rick (Brenda) Edwards of Twin Lakes. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Pat.  Reverend Lisle Kauffman will be officiating the Memorial Service for the wonder woman Ruth Miller.  The Memorial will be held on Saturday July 9 from 1-5 pm at 71 Nippersink Blvd Fox Lake, IL 60020.  In lieu of flowers please donate to Wright Way Animal Rescue or CureSMA.org.  These causes are near and dear to Ruth.  She would be happy to know that these organizations are being supported. For information, call 847-223-8122 or go to www.strangfuneral.org.

Germaine “Jeri” M. Blanchard, 81, a resident of Saddlebrook Farms in Grayslake, IL, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2016, at her home. She was born January 14, 1935 in Stacyville, IA to Chryst and Mildred Mullenbach. Jeri had many artistic talents including interior decorating, sewing, and playing the piano. She was a member of St. Gilbert Catholic Church in Grayslake. Jeri was the loving mother of Mike (Mary), Terri (Steve) Fabbri, Chris (Tammy), Doug (Jennifer), and Lisa, loving grandma of Dylan, Nick, Jenna (Andrew), Tara (Jason), Alyssa (Cory), Matthew, Jonathan, and Emily, and loving great-grandma of Hannah, Evan, Ryder, Piper, and Lincoln. She was also survived by her sisters Marie (the late Duard), Elaine (the late Harold) Elizabeth (Ron), and Karen (Bill) and her brothers Melvin (Marilu), Eugene (Katie), David (Sandra), Don (Sue) and Tom (the late Pat). She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years Richard Blanchard. A visitation is scheduled for Friday July 8, 2016 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Gilbert Catholic Church 301 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Advocate Hospice 365 Surryse Rd. Lake Zurich, IL 60047. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org

Mercedes L. Wisniewski, 24, a resident of Round Lake Park and Lakemoor, passed away from natural causes, July 1, 2016. She was born January 13, 1992 in Waukegan. Mercedes is survived by her parents Kathy (David) Kemppi and Robert (Lisa) Wisniewski, her fiancé Ricky Stevens, her children Anastazya Wisniewski and Natalie Stevens, her siblings Alexis Wisniewski, Ace Wisniewski, and Gage Kemppi, her grandparents Leslie Doering, Jerry (Pat) Wisniewski, Patricia Donile, and William (Barb) Jones, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial visitation is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with a memorial service at 4:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Memorial donations may be made to the family for Mercedes children. For information, call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.

Maxine L. Leckman, 96, a Lake County resident of 69 years, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2016 at her home in Libertyville. She was born January 11, 1920 in Hayfield, MN to Nordean and Julia (nee: Simonson) Lee. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Maxine was a charter member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Grayslake and had worked as a nurse at Condell Medical Center for 17 years. She enjoyed square and round dancing, camping clubs, travelling, and volunteering at her church. Maxine is survived by her children Jerold (Elizabeth) Leckman, Allen (Saline) Leckman, Julie Leckman, and Sandra Leckman, her grandchildren Christine (Kokkay) Mun, Karen (Mark) Schweiss, David (Megan) Leckman, Ann (Jerry) Kennedy, and Steven (Colleen Murray) Leckman, and her great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Esther, Ella, Owen, Quin, Benjamin, Alexander, and Madelyn. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Curtis D. Leckman, and her sisters Norice Norlander, Carol Fornander, and Judy Howell. A visitation and funeral are scheduled for Friday, July 8, 2016 from 9:00am until 11:00am with the funeral service commencing at 11:00am at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church 285 E. Washington St. Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held immediately after the service at Highland Memorial Park in Libertyville, IL. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Vicki Fern Smith, age 61, of Ingleside, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago. She was born January 29, 1955 to Robert Bell and Patricia Bell-Zeman. Vicki loved reading, being outside in nature and boating. She is survived by her husband of 16 years, Mark; her children, Tim (Lacey) Bell of Pittsburgh, PA and Alexa Leonteos of Ingleside; her sister, Lynn (Tim) Bell-Trepanier of Canada; loving brothers and sisters-in-law; her mother-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert A. Bell, and her son Ryan P. Smith both in March of 2016. Visitation hours are from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2016 with the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Memorials may be made in Vicki’s name to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation of Chicago, 912 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60612. For information, please call 847-223-8122 or go to www.strangfuneral.org.

James W. Ostrowski, 66, a resident of Round Lake Park, passed away Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Libertyville, IL.  He was born November 23, 1949 in Chicago, IL to Walter and Jean Ostrowski.  James had worked for American Airlines for over 37 years.  He loved to fish and loved singing karaoke.  James is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sandie, his children Karen Schardan and Michael James Ostrowski, his grandchildren Cory and Anastasia, and his sister Nancy (Kelly) O’Kane.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Paul Alaks.  A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 1:00pm until 2:00pm with a funeral service commencing at 2:00pm at  STRANG FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, 410 E. Belvidere Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030.  Interment will follow at the Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  For information, call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.