Rev. Seitz, ‘kind, gentle soul,’ was priest for 54 years

The Rev. Joseph Seitz was remembered this week as a “kind, gentle soul” who served at many South Side churches in his 54 years as a priest.

The Rev. Seitz died Sunday at Holy Family Villa in Palos Heights. He was 82.

Visitation will be …

Evergreen Park author covered sports, was Baseball Digest editor

When John Kuenster wrote stories, people read them. When he told stories, they listened.

“At a gathering, one person would ask him a question about when he covered the Cubs, Sox or Blackhawks. He was so excited telling his stories, before you knew it, he’d …

‘Blood lady’ of Park Forest dies at 78

Rhoda Adler organized so many blood drives in Park Forest and Richton Park that she was affectionately called “the vampire” or “the blood lady.”

She just laughed it off.

“I know I am helping people who need this blood,” she told The Star in 2005. …

Rev. John McGrath, Southland priest, dies

Friends of the Rev. John F. McGrath, who served at parishes in Blue Island and Chicago’s Ashburn and Beverly communities, remembered him Thursday as a witty man with an interest in people and athletics. Rev. McGrath, 91, died Feb. 12 at Holy Family Villa in …

Former Oak Forest woman always was ‘family first’

Tim Moss remembers his mother, Sharon, as an outgoing woman who could start a conversation with anyone and was extremely involved in the lives of her children. “She was always on the go with us,” said Moss, a lieutenant with the Oak Forest Fire Department. …

Former Mokena SD 159 board member Ventura dies at 48

Funeral services will be Friday for former Mokena School District 159 Board member Frank Ventura, who resigned from the board in September because of ongoing treatment for cancer.

Ventura, 48, died of cancer Monday at his Mokena home. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 …

Former Congressman Derwinski remembered as friend of south suburbs

Edward Derwinski was an extraordinary congressman, according to those who knew him.

He could relate equally to presidents and people he met on the street, and he was quick with a joke.

Derwinski, a Republican who represented the South Side and the south suburbs in …

‘Perogei Queen’s’ death leaves void in Christmas tradition

The family and friends of Barbara Kwiatkowski not only are missing a Christmas tradition this year — pierogies — they are missing the woman they treasured who made them. Mrs. Kwiatkowski, 69, died Dec. 17 of pancreatic cancer. For the past 21 years, Mrs. Kwiatkowski …

Kill designed homes, Hometown church

Robert Francis Kill designed many houses and commercial properties during his career as an architect, but he was most proud of his design of Our Lady of Loretto Church in Hometown.

“We were parishioners there. He was really proud to do that church,” said Mr. …

Retired bank executive was known for her hats and stints as church emcee

Patricia Brown LeNoble knew how to work a crowd. A longtime emcee for church events and other volunteer work, Mrs. LeNoble was a performer at heart, vivacious and animated until the end. She was most famous for her rendition of “I Want a Hippopotamus for …

A milkman, newspaperman and WWII vet

George Plumb wore a lot of hats in his 90 years. The resident of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, who was a father, milkman, newspaperman and World War II veteran, died Tuesday morning after years of battling leukemia, prostate cancer and kidney disease. Born on Chicago’s …

Durbin’s co-owner remembered as family man, ‘character’

Burbank restaurateur James McAuliffe was a great cook, had a wonderful sense of humor and was a devoted family man and a friend to the community, his family and friends say. Mr. McAuliffe, 75, the general manager and co-owner of Durbin’s Restaurant and Lounge in …

CPS teacher, welder Anderson Olaker dies

Anderson E. Olaker had a busy double life. By day, he taught science and math in the Chicago Public Schools. By night, he was a welder at a diesel-engine plant on 103rd Street in the city’s Pullman community. He worked both jobs full time to …

Longtime Harold Jones Center director dies

For 30 years, the Rev. Eugene Sigler dedicated his life to serving Chicago Heights’ immigrant and minority populations by overseeing the Harold Colbert Jones Memorial Community Center. Rev. Sigler, 90, of Chicago Heights, died Jan. 21 at St. James Hospital in the city. He was …

The Rev. Kuczynski, ‘gentle soul,’ dies at 92

The Rev. Edwin R. Kuczynski, a longtime teacher and priest in St. Rita Parish, was a “gentle soul” with a quick wit who was remembered fondly by students long after he had them in class, those who knew him said. “All his priestly life was …