Posts Written onDecember 2024

Maria Rita Prangen, 88, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on September 7, 1936, in Hennersdorf, Czech Republic, to Josef Cersovsky and Rosa Lehmann, Maria lived a remarkable life defined by resilience, kindness, and devotion to her family. A WWII survivor, Maria was…

Fred Lorenzen, known to the racing world as “Fast Freddie,” “Fearless Freddie,” and the “Golden Boy,” was a man of extraordinary talent and an even greater heart. Born on December 30, 1934, in Elmhurst, Illinois, to Frederick Sr. and Dorothy Kasmark, Fred lived a life filled with passion, from the…

Dorothy A. “Dodo” Connell, nee Brown, age 92, longtime resident of Elmhurst; die hard Cubs fan, former music teacher and teacher’s aid at Immaculate Conception Grade School, former Brookfield Zoo volunteer, former paraprofessional for Butler School District in Oak Brook, IL, former music director at Immaculate Conception Parish and founding…

Mattie M. Harris, formerly of Atlanta, GA, currently of Bellwood; beloved family member and dedicated Goodwill shopper and DIY enthusiast; mother of Shannon Royal; grandmother of Brandon, Candice and Kourtine Haywood; sister of Ethel Robinson, Ella Harris, Maggie Harris, Mary Lee Bridges, Milton Harris and the late Lanzy Harris, Jr.,…

Charlotte R. Schmidgall, nee Rodlund, age 86, resident of Villa Park, beloved wife of the late Walter J. Shalitis and the late Rolf Schmidgall; loving mother of Steven and David Shalitis, Wendy Hanson and Sharon Shalitis; cherished grandmother of Brian, David, Crystal, Ryan, Tyler and Michael and great-grandmother of Alexis…

Judith F. DeMars, age 87, longtime resident of Elmhurst; beloved wife of the late James; loving mother of Douglas (Susan) and Gregory DeMars and Dawn (Fred) Castro; cherished grandmother of Derek (Dresden Glover) and Thomas DeMars, Thomas (Gerri) Castro and Frances (Paul) Castro-Hill and great-grandmother of Ellie, Addie and Olivia…