Dorothy M. Prescott
Secretary
Dorothy M. Prescott (nee Kurowski) of Tinley Park died Feb. 24 at Lexington Nursing Home in Orland Park. Arrangements were by Hirsch Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, Tinley Park. Interment was in Skyline Memorial Park, Monee. Mrs. Prescott was born Dec. 14, 1937, in Chicago. She was a secretary, and member of First Baptist Church in Tinley Park. She is survived by her mother Tillie Kurowski; sister Dolores (John) Goddard of Tinley Park; brothers Ron Kurowski of Tinley Park and Ken (Ginny) Kurowski of Park Forest. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Fred M. Ranallo
Alarm Technician
Fred M. Ranallo of Park Ridge died Tuesday at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago. A funeral mass will be said at 11 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 320 S. Washington, Park Ridge. Burial will be at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. at the church. Mr. Ranallo was an alarm technician. He was also an Army paratrooper in World War II and a member of American Legion Post 208. Mr. Ranallo is survived by his wife, Helen; a daughter, Kathleen Giles of Key West, Fla.; a son, Brian Ranallo of Park Ridge; two sisters; and many cousins. Funeral arrangements were made by Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home in South Holland.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Calvin Peter Slager
World War II veteran
Calvin Peter Slager, 76, of Chicago, died Monday. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kostner Avenue and 104th Street, Oak Lawn. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Worth. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Edgar Funeral Home, 10900 Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn. Mr. Slager was an Army veteran of World War II and the longest standing member of Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oak Lawn. Mr. Slager is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean M. Slager; a son, David A. Slager; a daughter, Susan J. Bond; two sisters, Marilyn Thorson, and Renee Gatewood; a brother, Ronald Slager; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Carroll Tucker
Plumber
Carroll "Mouse" Tucker of Crete, formerly of Chicago Heights, died Feb. 24 at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Chicago Heights. Visitation is from 1:30 p.m. until a 3:30 p.m. service Saturday at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, Chicago Heights. Mr. Tucker was born Nov. 10, 1942, in Arkansas. He was head plumber for St. James Hospital and Health Centers, Chicago Heights. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann; stepdaughter Laura (Michael) Taylor of Arkansas; parents James and Mildred of Arkansas, and brother Chester of Arkansas.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Thomas Wash
Student
Thomas Wash of Ford Heights died Feb. 17 at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields. Arrangements were by McCullough Funeral Home, Ford Heights. Interment was in Mount Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood. Mr. Wash was a student. He was born Nov. 22, 1985, in Chicago Heights. He is survived by his mother Daphne; sisters Ta'Porsha, Tysha and Turquoise, all of Ford Heights, and brother Tyshawn of Ford Heights.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Leon Wladyslaw Wazny
Retired steelworker
Leon Wladyslaw Wazny, 88, of Chicago Heights, formerly of South Chicago Heights, died Sunday at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. John the Baptist, 15746 Union Ave., Harvey. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Steger. Mr. Wazny was born on March 24, 1912, in Majdan, Poland. He served in the Polish Army during World War II and was captured in 1939 and placed in a concentration camp. He was liberated in 1945 and came to the United States. Mr. Wazny worked as a steelworker at Alco Springs in Chicago Heights for 25 years until he retired in 1976. He was president of the Polish National Alliance 590 from 1970-1985 and a member of the Polish-American Club in Chicago Heights. Mr. Wazny was a member of St. Joseph Holy Name Society and he won the Father of the Year award in 1989 from St. Joseph Church. Mr. Wazny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helena Duszko Wazny; three daughters, Krystina Smith of Milburn, Okla., Theresa Romano of Chicago Heights, and Jeannie Schwartzkopf of Glenwood; two sons, Joseph Wazny of San Diego, Calif., and Chester Wazny of Richton Park; a daughter-in-law Joyce Wazny of Crete; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home, 540 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Muriel G. Wernicke
Retired executive secretary
Muriel G. Wernicke, 72, of Dolton, died Monday at the Rest Haven South Nursing Home in South Holland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Immanuel-Bethel United Church of Christ, 14540 Lincoln Ave., Dolton. Burial will be at Oakland Memory Lanes, Dolton. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Panozzo Brothers Funeral Home, 530 14th St., Chicago Heights. Ms. Wernicke was born on March 26, 1928, in Dolton. After she graduated from Thorton Community College in 1946, she began a 47-year career with the Riverdale Chemical Company of Chicago Heights. She started there as a lab technician and retired in 1993 as an executive secretary. Ms. Wernicke was a lifetime member of the Immanuel-Bethel United Church of Christ in Dolton where she taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the Chancel Choir. She was also a member of the Dolton-Riverdale Junior Women's Club. Ms. Wernicke is survived by two brothers, Donald Wernicke of Dolton, and Rene Wernicke of Vista, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Immanuel-Bethel United Church of Christ.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Margaret C. Wilkens
Homemaker
Margaret C. Wilkens (nee Werner), 90, of South Holland, formerly of Dolton, died Tuesday at Rest Haven South in South Holland. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home, 649 162nd St., South Holland. Burial will be at Cedar Park Cemetery in Calumet Park. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Mrs. Wilkens was born on May 19, 1910, in Chicago. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Wilkens is survived by a sister, Pauline Fritzsche of Dolton; and two nieces and a nephew.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Edith L. Wyant
Bookkeeper
Edith L. "Toppy" Wyant of Momence, formerly of Chicago Heights, died Feb. 24 at Momence Meadows Nursing Center, Momence. Arrangements were by Cotter Funeral Home, Momence. Edith Wyant was born April 23, 1927, in Momence. She was retired as a bookkeeper for the Mackin Corporation in Momence, worked for the water and sewer department for the city of Momence, and for the Indiana Department of Children and Family Services. She was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Momence. She is survived by her sisters Leita Baker of Chicago Heights, Iris Dennie of Momence, and Cleora Campbell of Florida; brother Ray Wyant of Kankakee.
Pub. Thursday, March 1, 2001

Leslie T. Farrell
Leslie T. Farrell, 77, of Monee, formerly of South Holland, died Dec. 31. He was a retired pipefitter. Arrangements are by Crete Funeral Home, (708) 672-7600.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Katherine M. Feykes
Katherine M. Feykes (nee Garofalo), 63, of Midlothian, died Dec. 30. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are by Hickey Memorial Chapels, (708) 385-4478.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Helena Hornik
Helena Hornik (nee Oprzedek), 73, of Chicago's Garfield Ridge community, died Dec. 30. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are by Zarzycki Manor Chapels, (773) 767-2166.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Esther M. Ingram
Esther M. Ingram (nee Burita), 86, of Beecher, died Dec. 30. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are by Beecher Funeral Home, (708) 946-6000.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Fung Kam Chan Moy
Fung Kam Chan Moy (nee Chan), 80, of South Holland, died Dec. 29. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are by Thornridge Funeral Home, (708) 841-2300.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Joseph L. Spradley
Joseph L. Spradley, 66, of Crete Township, died Dec. 28. He was a trainer and groomer at Balmoral Park. Arrangements are by Crete Funeral Home, (708) 672-7600.
Pub. Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Joseph F. Baranski
Pipefitter
Joseph F. Baranski, 85, of Crete, died Wednesday at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Liborius Catholic Church, 3501 Halsted Blvd., Steger. Burial will be at Skyline Memorial Park in Monee. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at Crete Funeral Home, 1182 Main St., Crete. Mr. Baranski was born Feb. 28, 1916, in Chicago Heights. He was retired from Kimball Glass Co. in Chicago Heights after 20 years of service. He also worked at Ford Motor Co. in Chicago Heights for 23 years. He most recently worked as an automation pipefitter. Mr. Baranski served in the Army during World War II. He was in an armoured unit in Europe and received a Purple Heart. He was a member of Crete Amvets Post of South Chicago Heights. He also was an usher at St. Liborius Church. Mr. Baranski is survived by two sons, James and Dennis Baranski; two sisters, Rose Jarez and Marie Galdario; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Liborius Church, 3501 Halsted Blvd., Steger.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Marge Benaitis
Import specialist
Marge Benaitis, 58, of Oak Lawn, died Tuesday at her home. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. Linus Church, 10300 S. Lawler Ave., Oak Lawn. Burial will be at St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago. Mrs. Benaitis was originally from the Marquette Park community. She moved to Oak Lawn 31 years ago. She was an import specialist for All Transport in Franklin Park. She was an avid volunteer and devoted much of her free time to the Boy Scouts of America from 1978 to 1991. When her children were younger, she also helped with Little League. Her family remembers her as a caring person who always welcomed everyone into their home. Mrs. Benaitis is survived by her husband, Michael; three sons, Michael, Danny and Mark; two daughters, Michelle Blackburn and Danielle Merk; a sister Cecilia "Sis" Popowitch; a brother, John Balais; and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements were made by King Brothers.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Cindy D. Casper
Laser technician
Cindy D. Casper (nee Casillo), 30, of Carol Stream, formerly of Blue Island, died after a plane crash in Missouri. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 Greenwood Ave., Blue Island. Burial will be at St. Casimir Cemetery in Chicago. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Mrs. Casper was born June 17, 1970, in Oak Lawn. She was a laser technician for Advance Laser Center of Schaumburg. She served in the Army as a nurse. She was a graduate of Eisenhower High School in 1988. Mrs. Casper is survived by a daughter, Amber Lynne Casper; her parents, Angelo and Bonnie Casillo; a sister, Sally Ann Casillo; two brothers, Angelo Casillo Jr. and Anthony Casillo; two grandmothers, Theresa Casillo and Sally Kaye; and special friend Keith Arendt. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Carl L. Federici
Business owner
Carl L. Federici, 73, of Chicago, died Saturday at Hines Veterans Hospital in Maywood. A funeral service will be held today at 10 a.m. at St. Rita of Cascia Church, 6243 S. Fairfield, Chicago. Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood. Mr. Federici grew up on Chicago's Southwest Side. He was president of the Carl L. Federici and Associates Architects and Engineers. He designed and constructed over 1,000 houses, schools, shopping centers, stores and churches in Chicago and the south and southwest suburbs. He was a 1945 graduate of St. Rita High School and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Mr. Federici is survived by his wife, Diana; five sons, Carl, David, Robert, Barry and Anthony Federici; a daughter, Maria Federici; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Edward W. Kasza
Retired warehouse manager
Edward W. Kasza, 73, of White Pigeon, Mich., formerly of Blue Island, died Monday in Michigan. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. Walter Church, 11722 S. Oakley, Chicago. Burial will be at Mount Olivet in Chicago. Mr. Kasza was born Oct. 27, 1927, in Chicago. He was a retired warehouse manager. He was also an avid fisherman, bowler and musician. Mr. Kasza is survived by his wife, Josephine; four daughters, Georgeanne Krueger, Patsy Wahl, Jo-Ellen Black and Angie Affolter; a son, Edward Kasza; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Hilda H. Laging
Retired telephone worker
Hilda H. Laging (nee Fabrizius), 80, of Oak Forest, died Sunday at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Kreuger Funeral Home, 13050 Greenwood Ave., Blue Island. Burial will be private. Mrs. Laging was born Sept. 10, 1920, in Wakeener, Kan. She was formerly employed by Illinois Bell. She was a resident of Blue Island from 1947 to 1984. She then resided in Colorado until 1994 when she moved to Oak Forest. She was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Blue Island and Telephone Pioneers. Mrs. Laging is survived by two sons, James and John Laging; a sister, Heddy Kich; a brother, Lou Fabrizius; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, National Diabetes Foundation or the Arthritis Foundation.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Genevieve 'Jean' McLean
Homemaker
Genevieve "Jean" McLean (nee O'Brien), 77, of Oak Lawn, died May 17 at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. A memorial mass will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Gerald Church, 9349 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn. Cremation was private. Mrs. McLean was a homemaker. "She was always there for everyone," said her daughter, Maureen Molitor. "She was the most important member of our family. She will always have a special place in our hearts." Mrs. McLean, a longtime Oak Lawn resident, was also remembered as a good neighbor. "Over the years, her neighbors in Oak Lawn became close friends," her daughter said. Mrs. McLean is survived by her daughter, Maureen Molitor; a sister, Theresa MacBlane; two brothers, Matthew and Thomas O'Brien; two grandchildren, Jennifer and James; two great-grandchildren, Monica Rose and Jim; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas J. McLean; and sisters Blanch O'Brien and Margaret Becker.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

William J. Murphy Jr.
Business owner
William J. Murphy Jr., 48, a longtime resident of Chicago's Beverly/Morgan Park community, died Tuesday at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. A funeral mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Barnabas Church, 10100 Longwood Drive, Chicago. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Andrew J. McGann and Son Funeral Home (King Brothers Directors), 10727 S. Pulaski, Chicago. Mr. Murphy was the owner of Andee Boiler and Welding Co. at 76th and State streets. The business was in his family for several years. He attended St. Barnabas Grammar School and Brother Rice High School. He also attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. He was a founding member of Cara's Care Foundation, a member of B.P.O.E. Chicago Lodge 1596 and a member of the Boiler and Tank Contractors of Illinois. Mr. Murphy is survived by his mother, Dorothy Murphy; two sisters, Madonna Murphy and Joy Reiner; five brothers, Jeffery, Brian, Joseph, Timothy and Terrence Murphy; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Michael J. Oliver
Plant manager
Michael J. Oliver, 59, of Blue Island, died Tuesday at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island. A funeral mass will be said at 9:30 a.m. today at St. Benedict Church, 2339 York St., Blue Island. Burial will be at Beverly Cemetery in Worth Township. Mr. Oliver was born Sept. 8, 1941, in Detroit. He was a plant manager for Corrugated Systems of Dolton for the past seven years. He was previously employed at Down River Co. of Dixmoor for 30 years. Mr. Oliver also served in the Marine Corps. Mr. Oliver is survived by his wife, Lourdes; a daughter, Kimberly Contreras; three sons, John, Jay and Jaime Oliver; a sister; four brothers; and five grandchildren. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001

Mary C. Piper
Retired head librarian for Quaker Oats
Mary C. Piper (nee McCarthy), 81, of South Holland, died Monday at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Ghost Church, 170th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, South Holland. Burial will be private. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Brady-Gill-Heeney Funeral Home, 2929 W. 87th St., Evergreen Park. Mrs. Piper was born Aug. 6, 1919, in Indianapolis. Her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she attended Ohio Dominican College and graduated magna cum laude in 1941. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She later earned a master's in library science at Rosary College in River Forest. She was head librarian for Quaker Oats in Barrington and was the first woman to head the research and development department at that location. She retired in 1983. She also worked at Portland Cement Co. and Chicago Rawhide Co. After retirement she lived with her husband in Sun City West, Ariz., from 1985 to 1995. She enjoyed bowling, bridge playing and travel. She was treasurer of her condominium association in Sun City West and a member of the local library association. Mrs. Piper is survived by four daughters, Sheila Standzak, Kathy Kuhleman, Valerie Rader and Monica Silkaitis; four sons, Arthur, Charles, John and Philip Piper; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4709 Golf Road, Suite 1015. Skokie, 60076.
Pub. Friday, June 1, 2001