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Obituaries

  • February 6, 2012 | People
    William J. "Bill" Novick 1921-2012

    William J. "Bill" Novick, 91, passed away suddenly at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, at his home.

    He was born Thursday, Jan. 20, 1921, in West Frankfort, the son of Alex and Rose Novick.

    He was united in marriage to Clara Ruth Paul on Friday, Sept. 16, 1949, in Piggott, Ark. Together they shared more than 57 years of marriage until her death Jan. 13, 2007.

    In his early years, he followed his brothers to the Detroit area to work in various factories.

    In 1942, he answered the call of this nation and proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Navy pilot, serving during World War II and afterwards until the time of his honorable discharge in 1947.

  • February 6, 2012 | People
    Angus "Gus" More 1939-2011

    Retired Judge Angus Sinclair "Gus" More Jr., 72, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, at home with his family.

    Gus was born June 26, 1939, in Kankakee to Angus S. and Viola (Fessman) More. He grew up on their grain and dairy farm outside of Kankakee. Being a farm boy provided the background for his great common sense, ingrained work ethic, and a love of the outdoors, a perspective that grounded him the rest of his life.

    He graduated in 1961 from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity and head of the Army ROTC's infantry program. One week after graduation he was married, commissioned and headed to Bamberg, Germany, for 20 months as an infantry officer during the tense period of the Cuban missile crisis and the Berlin Wall.

    He attended law school at American University in Washington, D.C. He was an associate and then a partner at Reno & Zahm Law Firm for 28 years until he was appointed as an associate judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit, where he served for 14 years.

    Gus was endearing, intelligent, funny, sentimental, stubborn, kind, generous-and certainly gregarious. He loved all shooting sports whether modern or black powder weapons and was a charter member of Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club while belonging to Rockford Skeet Club and Rock Run Long Rifles, a black powder gun club which he particularly enjoyed. He loved the outdoors and over the years was a hunter of pheasant, waterfowl, deer, elk and more recently, turkey.

  • February 1, 2012 | People
    Robert J. Schmelzle 1915-2012

    Robert J. Schmelzle, 96, passed away on Jan. 30, 2012, at his home with his family by his side.

    Robert was born on April 23, 1915, in Freeport, son of George H. and Elizabeth Grace (Peck) Schmelzle. He grew up in Freeport, graduating from Freeport High School in 1932, where he and future fellow attorney Bert Snow were members of the FHS state championship debate team.

    As a student at the University of Notre Dame, he also distinguished himself in debate, winning the prestigious Breen Medal in 1935. After graduating from Notre Dame College of Law in 1938, he returned to Freeport and set up a law practice with Robert P. Eckert.

    On Nov. 21, 1940, he married Mary Regan at St. Mary Church in Sterling. Bob and Mary made their home in Freeport, raising six children and actively participating in the community.

    Bob practiced law for over 60 years as a partner in the law firm of Eckert, Schmelzle, and Eckert, and later Schmelzle and Kroeger. During that time, he obtained many professional achievements. He was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, served as Referee in Bankruptcy in Illinois, and was Corporation Counsel for the City of Freeport during the mayoral terms of Joe Shelly. Together, they were instrumental in bringing Kelly Springfield Tire Co. to Freeport.

  • January 30, 2012 | People
    J. Gordon Henry 1916-2011

    J. Gordon Henry, age 95, passed away in Naples, Fla. on Dec. 6, 2011.

    Before moving to Marco Island in 1981, Gordon worked as Senior Vice President and Trust Counsel at the Northern Trust Company in Chicago.

    His principal avocation was teaching and he devoted significant time organizing and teaching courses in estate planning and business law in numerous states throughout the country. His most important legal advocacy was as a member of a five-member Federal Taxation Section Committee which succeeded in causing Congress to repeal a complex law that would have had a devastating effect on the administration of decedents' estates.

    Gordon assumed multiple leadership positions throughout his lifetime in community, church, athletic, and school-based committees and Boards in Illinois and Florida. He served as Commander of the Marco Island Power Squadron, Commodore of both the Marco Cruise Club and the Marco Bay Yacht and Sailing Club, and Director of the Marco Island Yacht Club and YMCA. With his wife Coke Henry, he became cruise planner extraordinaire and a backwater specialist navigating through dense mangrove islands in the Everglades.

    His family thanks all of Gordon's friends and acquaintances on Marco Island who helped provide him with a deeply satisfying and happy retirement. Gordon was predeceased by his first wife of 41 years, Aileen Wilson; and his second wife of 24 years, Carol Seaman Sudler.

    Gordon is survived by a daughter Laura Henry of Zion, IL; and two stepchildren Carroll and Elizabeth Sudler of Los Angeles, CA and Sag Harbor, NY.

  • January 24, 2012 | People
    John C. Hedrich 1931-2012

    John C. Hedrich, 80, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Princeton, died Jan. 6, 2012, in Las Vegas.

    Mr. Hedrich was born Feb. 23, 1931, in Tiskilwa to Arthur W. and Mabel (Steimle) Hedrich.

    He graduated from Tiskilwa High School in 1949, the University of Illinois in 1953, and the University of Illinois School of Law in 1955. He served two years in the U.S. Navy before starting his law practice in Princeton in 1957.

    He was a magistrate of the circuit court from 1961-1964, an assistant state’s attorney from 1964-1968 and the Bureau County Public Defender from 1992-1994. He served for years as attorney for St. Louis Catholic Church and the village of Tiskilwa. He was a member of Bureau County Bar Association, including a term as president, and was a member and officer of numerous civic and private organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Elks Club, Rotary Club, and Bureau Valley Country Club.

    He was the last owner of the historic American House Hotel. He retired from the practice of law in 1998.

    Survivors include his wife, Chung; five children, Susan Wallace of River Forest, Richard of Henderson, Nev., James of Norcross, Ga., Mary Katherine (Stacy) Pomonis of Champaign and John (Jane Chadesh) of Oak Park; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Richard of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and his first wife, Ann Hanak.

    He was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur W. Hedrich Jr.

    Memorials may be directed to St. Louis Church.

  • January 23, 2012 | People
    Adam J. Lagocki 1977-2012

    Adam J. Lagocki, 34, of Peoria passed away at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Lacon.

    He was born on Nov. 7, 1977, in Bloomington, the son of Dr. James and Janet Lagocki. He married Angie Speck on June 26, 2004, in Peoria.

    Adam is survived by his wife; two children, Addison (4) and Andrew (1); his parents; a sister; and countless loving friends.

    Adam graduated from St. Thomas Grade School, Peoria Notre Dame (1996), Indiana University (1996 to 2000) and the University of Illinois Law School (2000 to 2003).

    Adam shared his enjoyment of life with everyone he met.

    His interests included cheering for Indiana University Hoosiers, golf, fantasy football, being a lifelong Jimmy Buffett fan, movie or music trivia and weekend brunches with the kids.

    Adam was a respected member of the legal community. His professionalism and dedication earned local and statewide recognition. He was active in the Peoria County Bar Association, Abraham Lincoln American Inn of Court and the Greater Peoria Claims Association. He also was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and American Bar Association.

    Adam was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

    Please visit Adam's story at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com.

    Memorial contribution checks should be made out to Edward Jones. Sent to Edward Jones, 8500 N. Knoxville, Suite F, Peoria, IL 61615-2079, in care of Addison and Drew.

  • January 23, 2012 | People
    Hon. Frank J. McGarr 1921-2012

    Judge Frank J. McGarr, the son of a Chicago plumber, sat on the federal bench for 18 years and presided over a number of significant cases that included Oakland A's owner Charles O. Finley's lawsuit against then-baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn.

    Judge McGarr also was chairman of then-Gov. George Ryan's Commission on Capital Punishment in the early 2000s, which paved the way for the state's 2011 abolition of the death penalty.

    "Frank was the perfect guy to chair this group, to lead the discourse on a topic that was and remains such a lightning rod issue," said U.S. District Court Judge Charles P. Kocoras. "Looking back on what took place back then, I can't imagine a better person to bring about a consensus from people with such discordant views."

    The commission's report concluded that the system was deeply flawed and offered scores of proposals, a dozen of which Judge McGarr said at the time were essential to "meaningful reform," including the videotaping of interrogations.

    Judge McGarr, 90, the chief judge for the U.S. District Court's Northern Illinois District from 1981 to 1986, died Friday, Jan. 6, at his Downers Grove home, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease.

    "As a judge, he never took himself too seriously," said his daughter Patricia DiMaria. "He would say, 'You don't have honor and intelligence, just by putting on a robe.' "

  • January 23, 2012 | People
    Christ Troupis 1923-2011

    Christ Troupis, 88, of Mendota, passed away on Dec. 19, 2011.

    Mr. Troupis was born Jan. 28, 1923 in Mendota to Theodore and Efterpe Troupis. He married Marion Roberts on Jan. 2, 1947 in South Bend, Ind.

    Mr. Troupis served in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the Army Air Force during World War II. He attended Northwestern University and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1949. Following law school, Mr. Troupis returned to Mendota where he practiced law for more than 50 years. Before his retirement, he was active in the La Salle County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar. His practice focused most often on estate and probate matters although he was well known for his representation of school districts and other local units of government.

    He was elected mayor of Mendota in 1953 and served until 1961. During his tenure the Mendota Community Pool was built. He was elected to the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 1967 and served as board president during the acquisition and construction of the campus on the south bluff of the Illinois River. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Troupis also served on Mendota Community Hospital Board of Trustees and was president of that board for several years. He was a member of VFW Post 4079 and the American Legion and was a past member and former president of Mendota Lions Club and Mendota Jaycees. He served as chairman of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and was a past member of the Mendota Elks Lodge and Mendota Moose.

  • January 17, 2012 | People
    Edward Allen Verchota III 1961-2012

    Edward Allen Verchota III, a resident of Champaign, passed away Thursday (Jan. 12, 2012) in Champaign.

    Mr. Verchota was born Aug. 4, 1961, in Paris, Ill.

    Mr. Verchota graduated from Champaign Central High School in 1979. He earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1983 and a juris doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law in 1987.

    Allen was admitted to practice law in the state of Illinois in 1988 and was a respected attorney in the Champaign-Urbana area, specializing in litigation and personal injury law.

    Allen loved spending time with his son, playing golf and traveling, especially enjoying warm weather, going to the beach and taking cruises.

    He also was an avid University of Illinois sports fan and an active participant in a local investment club. Allen's life was ended far too soon by complications from liver disease and alcoholism; another gifted and much loved individual's life cut short by addiction.

    A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. Allen will be greatly missed by all.

    Mr. Verchota is survived by his son; his wife, Kristen Conley Verchota of Savoy; his parents, Judy and George Bryan of Champaign and Edward Allen Verchota Jr. of Paris; one brother, Michael (Kara) Verchota of Monticello; four sisters, Valari Verchota (Richard) Dillingham of Monticello, Anne Bryan (Paul) Peebles of Houston, Texas, Melissa Bryan (Thomas Harrison Jr.) of Berwyn and Brandi Verchota (Rich) Temples of High Ridge, Mo.; as well as five nieces and four nephews. He is further survived by other relatives and many dear friends.

    1 comment (Most recent January 20, 2012)
  • January 12, 2012 | People
    Philip C. Wherry 1939-2011

    Philip Comstock Wherry, 72, of Chicago, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

    He was born in 1939 in Pekin, to Dr. Roland C. and Miriam Platt Wherry. He was raised in Pekin.

    His parents preceded him in death.

    He is survived by his wife, Cookie; his daughter, Chandler; his brother, Richard (Nancy) Wherry; and a loving circle of family and friends.

    He was educated at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; and graduated from the University of Miami, where he met “the love of his life” and future wife, Helen “Cookie” Reichert.

    After moving to Chicago and graduating from IIT Kent College of Law, Philip became a senior clerk to the late Federal Judge Julius J. Hoffman in Chicago. He became an associate at the law firm of Winston & Strawn before founding the firm of Abrams & Wherry, which specialized in business litigation, both in Chicago.

    Philip had a life-long devotion to the community and historic preservation. He worked closely with Burt Natarus, former alderman of the 42nd Ward, to achieve down-zoning of the Near North Side of Chicago. For 30 years, Philip was involved with the North Dearborn Association, ultimately serving seven terms as its president. He was a co-founder of the Near North Preservation Coalition, which helped retain the beauty of that neighborhood.