Tuesday, March 5, 2013
John J. "Jack" Portman died in his sleep Saturday in his Naples, FL home.
Former Flossmoor resident and south suburban business owner John J. “Jack” Portman died in his Naples, FL home during his sleep on March 2, the Sun-Times Media reports. He was 96 years old. Portman, an Oberlin College graduate, was an Army Captain in WWII. Upon returning, he took position as a Sherwin Williams executive before moving over to McDonald’s Corp. Portman also owned and operated McDonald's restaurants inOak Forest and Tinley Park. He retired in 1981 and moved to Naples with Anne, his wife of 63 years. In addition to his wife, Portman is survived by three children and three grandchildren. His son Phil and daughter Lisa are both Homewood residents. Read the full obituary by the Sun-Times Media
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Steven D. Reimer, of Oak Forest, died unexpectedly Jan. 1, 2013. Friends and family mourned his passing in services Jan. 7–8.
Nearly 1,000 people gathered Monday, Jan. 7 to pay respects to Steven D. Reimer, 23, of Oak Forest. Reimer died suddenly Jan. 1, 2013. Cherished son of Steven Sr. and Robin, Steven was a loving brother to Daniel and caring uncle to Alexis Elrod. He was a beloved grandson to Barbara Crundwell, and David and Loretta Reimer. Reimer was a 2007 graduate of Oak Forest High School, where he wore the number 72 as defensive tackle for the Bengals. His friends remember him as a "gentle giant" with a good heart. His former teammates filled the space around him Monday, many placing their jerseys with him in the casket. Some wished they could spend the night alongside him, one friend of the family said. "He was the kindest, most loving boy," said …
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Jim was a graduate of Oak Forest High School and was known as the family prankster and class clown. Born May 1, 1991, deceased Aug. 27, 2012. Find visitation and funeral information on Patch.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Jim was a graduate of Oak Forest High School and was known as the family prankster and class clown. Born May 1, 1991, deceased Aug. 27, 2012.
Oak Forest is less one jokester, after the sudden death of Jim Czyznikiewicz, 21. Czyznikiewicz, son of Barbara and James, and Sandra, took his own life Monday, Aug. 27. Jim, also affectionately known as "Jimmy" and "Joe," was a graduate of Oak Forest High School who enjoyed spending time with family and his longterm girlfriend Laura. Jim looked forward to time with his father, spent sharing their love for Unbeatable Eatables. He also enjoyed playing videogames, like Minecraft and Madden Football. He was the beloved younger brother of Jacqeuline, Katrina (Mihajlovich), Michael, and Alyssa. He was a cherished grandson to Lois and Fred Guldin. Dear nephew to Barbara Czyznikiewicz, Thomas Czyznikiewicz, Russell (Amy) Guldin, Linda and Peter…
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Don DeVos, 87, was one of 16 siblings in the original DeVos family, and a loving father and rock to family members.
Longtime Oak Forest resident Don DeVos, 87, died last week. DeVos was a devoted husband of 61 years to Lois, a loving father of three, cherished grandfather of five and adored great-grandfather of 11. He was also recently honored for his service in the United States Navy during WWII, as he entered hospice care in New Lenox. Family members expressed their admiration for DeVos during the special pinning ceremony in November 2011. DeVos served in the South Pacific, and family recounted that when other members of the military were beating a captured Japanese soldier, DeVos stepped in and stopped the abuse. "That really proves he's always had the integrity, the deep feelings for anybody, no matter who you are, whether it's wartime or peacetime…
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Funeral bunting hanging at Oak Forest City Hall is in honor of former Oak Forest Police Officer Ralph Pillot.
Funeral bunting draped outside Oak Forest City Hall is in honor of retired Oak Forest and Chicago police officer Ralph Pillot. Pillot, 84, also a WWII Veteran, passed away recently. Pillot worked as an Oak Forest police officer from 1971 through 1993. He succumbed to a nine-week battle with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. in Orland Park. Pillot was a loving father to Michelle (Robert) Schneider and Denise (Joseph) Bilotto. He was grandfather to Robert, Zachery, and Stephanie; and Tyler, Regan, and Vaughn. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Virginia Bort, Dorothy Hebel and brothers, Kenneth and Herbert. For the complete …
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The visitation for Peter Garetto is scheduled to start at noon on Wednesday.
The first date between Peter Garetto and his wife, then Cheryl Metzger, happened at a place in Oak Forest called Tiffany's in 1979. Nearly two decades later, Garetto bought the building where their first date took place on Cicero Avenue and opened the Beggars Pizza location. "I didn’t really like him too much at first," Cheryl said, recalling his outwardly intimidating personality. She worked for him prior to the two dating. "But then you find out that he’s a big teddy bear.” Peter, founder and co-owner of the pizza franchise, has died. He was 55. Peter also is survived by his four children, Angelo, Susan, Peter M. and Allison; his mother Janet; siblings Laurance H. (Mary), Laura (Rich) O'Brien, Susan (Dave) Hoffman, Mary Garetto and Janet…
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Richard “Dick” Weber of Oak Forest passed away May 28. He served as a 7th Ward alderman in the 1980s.
The funeral Mass for a former Oak Forest alderman and local business owner is scheduled for Monday. Richard “Dick” Weber of Oak Forest served a term as a 7th Ward alderman from 1983 to 1987. His longtime friend and former Oak Forest Mayor Bernard Kelly remembered Richard as an honest man. “I particularly remember his frankness, his honest and his hard work,” Kelly said. Richard passed away Monday, May 28. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Damian Church, 5250 155th St. Richard served as an army mechanic, working on aircraft during four years of service. Weber’s wife, Bonnie, said his time in the Army was one of the happiest of his life. “I don’t think he had a bad day in all four years he was there,” Bonnie said. Richard …
Monday, March 12, 2012
The community pays one last tribute to Becky Simon, wife of Oak Forest Alderman Rich Simon.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Melba Rebecca Simon, wife of 50 years to Oak Forest Alderman Rich Simon, died March 7. Memorial services have been set.
Melba Rebecca Simon, devoted wife of Oak Forest Alderman Rich Simon and beloved community figure, died at home March 7, surrounded by family. She was 70 years old. "Becky" passed away peacefully in her sleep, having succumbed to cancer after a two-year battle, her husband wrote. She was known in the community as "one in a million," "the most positive person"—"just an absolute beautiful person." Friends say her death leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her—and the Oak Forest community. "This wonderful woman who touched so many lives in her 70 years passed away with the same class she showed all of us throughout her life," Simon wrote, of her passing. "Becky fought a long, hard battle for two years, and lived through pain none …
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john henry
10:46 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wow, huge loss to everyone he knew, is anyone up to date on what was the cause of death in this tragedy? Many people speaking of an overdose, fatigue, etc. Either way, this HAS to be the hardest thing these parents have dealt with, Robin and Steve Sr. will be in our prayers. more ›