Vincent Thomas Tonielli, age 92, a resident of Gurnee, passed away on December 29, 2023 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.  He was born on June 12, 1931 in Canton, OH to Pacifico and Mary (nee Rocci) Tonielli.

Vincent graduated from Timken High School in Canton, OH in 1949.  He served in the Air Force during the Korean War where he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.  He was a Staff Sargeant in the 10^th Air Rescue Squadron until he was honorably discharged in 1954. He was a 34 year employee of the United States Postal Service until retirement in 1988.  Since then he enjoyed time with his family and friends.  He was a lover of horses and sports.  He will be greatly missed.

Vincent is survived by his wife, Linda, of 55 years whom he married on March 8, 1969 in Massillon, OH; his children, Vincent (Lindsay) of Bartlett, Margaret of Gurnee, Jean of Tampa, FL, John (Diane) of Canton, OH; his grandchildren, Tiberio, Luciano, Giovanni, Madison, Mikaela (Anthony), Meghann (Henry), Jeanne (Eric), Lori; his great-grandchildren Eleanor, Kailey, and Sam; and his sister, Phyllis (Phillip) of Ohio.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Olga, Mary, Margaret, and Carmel.

No services.  All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information, please call (847) 223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

Vijayaben Bachubhai Patel, age 82, a resident of Gurnee, passed away on December 30, 2023 at Advocate Medical Center in Libertyville.  She was born June 1, 1941 in Modasar, India to Dhulabhai and Motiben Patel. 

Vijayaben is survived by her husband, Bachubhai, of 67 years; her children, Ushaben H. Patel, Chandrikaben A. Patel, and Jiten B. Patel; her grandchildren, Devarsh J. Patel, Freya J. Patel, Shaunak H. Patel, Dhara R. Sanghani, Vaishnavi A. Patel and her siblings, Ishwarbhai, Ramanbhai, and Savitaben.  She was preceded in death by her son, Ashok Bhachubhai Patel; her grandchild, Vedant A. Patel; and her her siblings, Ranchhodbhai, Vimlaben, and Ratibhai.

A Funeral Service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 12pm until 4pm.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org. The funeral service will be livestreamed, click here to view: https://venues.vimeo.com/1688676628014?lang=en-US

Brian K. Katona, 62, a resident of Hainesville, IL, passed away December 13, 2023 at his home.  He was born June 25, 1961 in Wisconsin to Norman and Shirley Katona.

Brian was an avid Packer fan and for many years coached baseball and football in Grayslake.  He enjoyed working at Snap-On-Credit for 24 years and had made many good friends.  He enjoyed traveling with family and friends. 

Brian is survived by his wife of 36 years, Laura, his children Katy Katona and Michael Katona, and his brother Kevin Katona.  He was preceded in death by his parents. 

A memorial visitation and service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 1:00pm until 3:00pm with the memorial service commencing at 3:00pm.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Harish Chandra Pant, age 85, a resident of Lake Forest, IL, passed away on December 22, 2023 at his home.  He was a native of Jakhera, a small village in Uttarakhand, India.  Harish was a Neuroscientist for over 50 years at Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He kept countless friends fed along the way. 

Harish is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kamala; his children, Alok (Melissa) Pant, Manish (Kaylan) Pant, and Garima Pant; his grandsons, Kieran, Deven, Avi, Oren, and Ezra; and many siblings.

A funeral Service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 10am. Please no flowers or donations. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.   The funeral service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/884115610/91bd06846a?share=copy

Erich John Blum, 51, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, WI, passed away December 21, 2023 at his home.  He was born October 6, 1972 in Chicago, IL to Walter and Lorraine (nee: Zagata) Blum.

Erich loved the Packers, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.  He enjoyed traveling and Miller Lite.

Erich is survived by his children Kristina Blum of WA, Erich Blum of IL, and Ashley (Edgar) Aguayo of NC, his grandchildren Melanee Aguayo and Harper Aguayo both of NC, and his brother Worthington Blum of WI.  He was preceded in death by his wife Kimberly Blum, and his parents Lorraine and Walter Blum.

A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, December 29, 2023 at 10:00am at the funeral chapel.  Entombment will follow the services at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122.

Raymond William Listman, age 54, a resident of Ingelside, IL, passed away on December 15, 2023 at his home.  He was born on October 17, 1969 in Libertyville, IL to Raymond and Jane Listman.

Ray is survived by his wife, Debby of 7 years whom he married on September 17, 2016 in Kenosha; his brother, Ron (Harla); his aunts, Rita (Raymond) Kehoe and Jean Caroll; his nieces and nephews; Bobby Holm, Hunter Wais, Taylor Wais; Breezy Listman, and Bella Alexander; his mother-in-law, Linda Holm; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob (Dawn) Holm, and Dawn (John) Wais. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his nephew, Matt Listman.

A Funeral Service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 4pm.  A visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral chapel from 12pm until 4pm.  Interment will be held privately.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org. 

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/J3YZQBGR6P4P6WHF

Ursula L. Harrison, age 80, a resident of McHenry, IL, passed away on December 18, 2023 at JourneyCare Hospice Center in Barrington, IL after a short illness. She was born on September 30, 1943 in Prague Czechoslovakia, coming to the United States and settling in Waukegan, Illinois in 1954. In June of 1962, she married her husband Roy, with whom she had two daughters, Bonnie and Jackie.

Ursula retired from the Illinois Tollway and spent time with her “best little dog ever”, her beloved TeeCee, whom she rescued after TeeCee’s previous owner passed away. She loved feeding and watching the birds, squirrels and other wildlife that visited her home’s backyard every day. She also liked to hop in her red Ford Edge whenever she got the itch, and venture out to visit her favorite local slot machine hot spots, while also visiting her favorite ‘Little Store’ for a scratch off lottery ticket or two. Ursula had a soft spot for all animals and children, making annual donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

She is survived by her daughters, Bonnie (Mark) Hartmann of Lake Villa, and Jackie (Sal) DeTomaso of Round Lake Beach; her grandchildren, Derek (Rebecca) Hartmann of Crystal Lake, Craig Hartmann of Monroe, WA, Cameron Hartmann of Lake Villa, Gerald DeTomaso of Grayslake, Brittany DeTomaso of Round Lake Beach, and Salvatore (Roselle) DeTomaso of Round Lake; and her 3 great grandchildren; Bryan DeTomaso, and Madelyn and Greyson Hartmann. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Harrison; and her parents, Lieselotte and Alphonse Dumont.

A committal service will be held in private at Highland Memorial Park, 33100 Hunt Club Road, Libertyville, IL 60048. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information, please call 847-223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org. 

Sharon Lee Warren, age 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 16, 2023. She was the beloved sister of Sandra Warren, and was preceded in death by her parents George and Florence Warren and brother Richard Warren. Cherished cousin to Carol (Terry) Breese, Kenneth (Jackie) Novak, Lawrence (Celine) Zigmont, Dianne Janus, Julie (John) Havemann, Dave (Elizabeth) Breese, Carrie (Todd) Cummings-Pegler, and a loving extended family. Sheri was an avid golfer who loved spending time on the golf course and was an LPGA-Certified instructor and sports journalist/photographer who covered national events for several major golf publications. Sheri loved her Bassett Hounds and even helped her recent fur baby, Russell Theodore, “write” his own blog. She was an amazingly lucky contest winner who was always generous in sharing her good fortune with family and friends. Her humor, warmth, and connection to people came through in her dedication to her work, enthusiasm for all kinds of music, and her talent in the kitchen, but most importantly, in her love for her family and friends who will miss her presence every day. Her passing is a tremendous loss, but she leaves behind many happy, cherished memories for all who knew her.

Arrangements handled by Strang Funeral Chapel in Grayslake, IL. Internment private. 

The Rev. Dr. Donald L. Batz entered the Kingdom of Heaven on November 28, 2023 in Lake Forest, Illinois. He touched the lives of thousands having served for 71 years as a pastor under appointment in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and then following retirement in the Iowa and Indiana Conferences. He retired (again) in December 2021.
He was born on August 11, 1934 in Peoria, Illinois, the only child of Velma and Otto Batz. He attended Peoria Central High School and upon graduation in 1952, entered the United Methodist ministry at the age of 17, with his license to preach, as a pastor in DeWitt, Illinois and as a student at Illinois Wesleyan University from which he graduated in 1956.  
As a seminary student at Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston and later at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, he was appointed as an Associate Minister at the First United Methodist Church in Peoria, where he had attended as a youth.  Upon graduation from Christian Theological Seminary in 1961 with a Master of Divinity degree, he was appointed to Chatham, Illinois and later to Centenary Church in Jacksonville, Illinois.  While serving in Jacksonville, he returned to Christian Theological Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1971.
Other Illinois churches he served included Murphysboro, McNabb-Magnolia, Ransom, Peoria Bradley Epworth, Quincy Union, and Rock Island First from which he retired in 2004. Upon retirement, he served In the Iowa Conference in Camanche and DeWitt for nine years including three years as pastor of First Congregational Church of Clinton, Iowa.  In 2014, he was appointed as pastor of Colfax United Methodist Church in Colfax, Indiana where he served for 5 years.  He also served at Braceville United Methodist Church and Mazon United Methodist Church in Illinois for two years where he ‘officially’ retired from at age 87.
Two churches, Union, Quincy, in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and St. Marks in Camanche, in the Iowa Conference, honored him as Pastor Emeritus. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Peter Cartwright award for outstanding service to the church in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. 
In conjunction with his ministry, he also taught courses for twenty-one years in Ethics, Philosophy and World Religions at three different community colleges at John Wood in Quincy, Illinois, Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa, and Ivy Tech in Lafayette, Indiana.Though his greatest legacy is the infinite love he bestowed unfailingly to his treasured family including his beloved wife, Aleta Satterthwaite Batz, four children: Dr. Lisa McClure of Peoria, Illinois, Donnelle Pressburger of Normal, Illinois, Matthew Batz (Casey) of Campbell, California, and Dr. Cassondra Batz-Barbarich (Luke) of Libertyville, Illinois, three granddaughters: Jolie Kate Pressburger (21), Eden Nicole Pressburger (18), and Ella Rose Batz (6), and one grandson: Bennett LeRoy Barbarich (born November 27th). 

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held on January 6th, 2024 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 3:00 at the First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois. It will be officiated by Rev. Lori Kyle.

Daniel J. Bennington, 54, a resident of Round Lake Park, IL, passed away November 22, 2023 at his home.  He was born January 18, 1969 in Great Lakes, IL to Russell and Lynn Bennington. 

Daniel enjoyed music, playing the drums for many bands in his younger days, and Rock and Roll especially KISS. He was an animal lover, a die-hard Bears fan and a member of the Local #11 Roofers Union.  Daniel enjoyed hanging out with family, grilling by the bonfire, a cold beer, and being a grandfather.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 32 years, Debra Bennington, his children Kelsie (Michael) Tanael and Jacob Bennington, his grandchildren Charlotte and Isla Tanael, his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, and his dogs Harley Quinn and Hazel.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents Valeria and James Beemsterboer.

A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030 from 10:00am until 2:00pm with the funeral service commencing at 2:00pm.  Interment will be held privately.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Orphans of the Storm.  For more information please log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847)223-8122. 

To view slideshow click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/WJBBZ2JMHDMT7DCH

James Stacy Kaad, formerly of Wheaton, IL passed away Friday, November 17, 2023 at the age of 78. James spent his childhood in Wheaton and his teenage years in Michigan before returning to the Chicagoland suburbs after getting married to his wife Dawn (Hathaway) in 1968. At that time, he began a 35 year career with the Ford Motor Company. Although he spent many years working long shifts, he never let go of his other interests. He loved writing, especially science fiction and quirky, fun limericks.

He dealt with his dementia diagnosis for almost 17 years with patience, respect for all of his caretakers, and yet still threw out one-liners to surprise everyone and to make people laugh. Sometimes his own jokes would make himself smile. He lived his entire life with great regard for others and frankly the world, even when his memories would come and go. In addition to his quick, sometimes fierce wit, he was creative and incredibly intelligent. His heart was broken when losing his wife after almost 49 years of marriage and then his son Chris and grandson Ryan the following year. His surviving daughters, Amy (Kevin) Wagner and Stacy (Chris) Hoffmann, and grandchildren, Nick (Bre), Jack, Cate, Ella, Madeline and Emily have memories that will last a lifetime and bond them together like nothing else could.

James is preceded in death by his wife Dawn, son Chris Kaad, grandson Ryan Kaad, his parents George and Catherine Kaad, his brother John (Mary) Kaad, mother-in-law Micki Kampf, and his father and step mother-in-law Buell and Edith Hathaway.
May he finally be soaking in the sun while sitting at the Gulf of Mexico in Florida – his retirement dream. A private service will be held at a later date.

Olimpia Hidrogo, 83, a resident of Round Lake, IL passed away on November 16, 2023 at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, IL. She was born on March 7,1940 in Jaralillo, Nieves, Zacatecas to Jose Hidrogo and Rita Hernandez. She Married Francisco Cruz on March 4,1959 in Mexico.

Olimpia is survived by her husband of 64 years, Francisco Cruz; her children, Manuel J. Cruz  (Carmen Dominguez), Ilda Cruz (Manuel Lira), Monira Cruz, Francisco  (Juanis) Cruz, Nago (Maria ) Cruz, Adalberto (Martha) Cruz, Homero Cruz (Rosario Hidrogo); her grandchildren, Hilda, Adan, Daisy, Cesar, Clara, Lupe, Luis, Karen, Mayra, Giovanni, Kelly, Alex, Charlie, Diana, Sebastian, Oli, Emily, Camila, Jimena, Valeria, Diego;her 19 great grandchildren; her 1 great great grandson; and her siblings, Antero Hidrogo, Erasmo Hidrogo, Hortencia Hidrogo, and Lesbia Hidrogo.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Hidrogo and Rita Hernandez; her grandson, Jaime: her son-in-law Cesar Chairez; and her siblings, Arcadio Hidrogo, Emma Hidrogo, Leonarda Hidrogo, Manuel Hidrogo, and Santos Hidrogo.

A visitation will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 4pm until 8pm. A Funeral Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church 114 Lincoln Ave. Round Lake, IL. 60073 will be held on Saturday November 25,2023 at 9:30 burial will follow at Grant Cemetery 26730 West Molidor Road, Ingleside, IL. For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

To view slideshow click here:https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/3CLXM5MRC9BFHCX4

Deborah Faye Shearer, 73, a resident of Round Lake Beach, IL passed away on November 14, 2023 at her home.  She was born on May 31, 1950 in Waukegan, IL to Ervin and Lenora Steil. Deborah was loved by all who knew her, she was a fun-loving person.  She loved her family, friends, and her time in her “Grandma’s Club”.  She made the best Christmas cookies.  She had a big heart for animals, especially cats. 

Deborah is survived by her son, Darrell of Pleasant Prairie, WI; her daughter-in-law and caregiver, Joy Shearer of Lake Villa; her grandchildren, Jakob Zeitler of Grayslake, Kailee (Dalton) Hamilton of Virginia, Ethan Shearer of Lake Villa, and Gina “Marie” Shearer of Lake Villa; her great grandson, Eastyn Hamilton; and her dear friends, Linda (George) Tieman and Karen Olson.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; her son, Doug; and her parents. 

A graveside service will be held at Avon Centre Cemetery, 21300 W Shorewood Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 11am.  All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information, please call (847)223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.