Shin Chan “Johnny” Chang, age 76, a resident of Gurnee, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.  He was born in China on January 29, 1944.  Johnny is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kin Ming Chang; two children, Caroline (Scott) Chang and Jeffrey (Sarah) Chang; his grandchildren, Jeanette  Chang, Ryan, Michael and Ethan; his siblings, Fung Ling Chang, Shin Jee “David” Chang, Fung Hung Chang and Shin Kwok “Carl” Chang.  He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Fung Ming “Ruth” Chang.  All arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

James “Jimmy” S. Diamond, of Grayslake, passed away on May 18, 2020.  He was born on September 10, 1962 in Chicago to James J. Diamond and Mary Ann Diamond (Stone).  He is survived by his loving daughter, Melissa Diamond; granddaughter, Melody; sister, Ann Wilson (Diamond); girlfriend, Mary Ciesemier (Avino); and close friend, Elizabeth Laske. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joseph Diamond. 

Jimmy grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois.  He graduated from Maine South High School and received his degree in aviation from Lewis University.  He was an aviation technician where he travelled the world.  He worked for Baxter International and Abbott Laboratories among others.  Jim was a fun-loving guy and always took care of others, putting everyone before himself.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  Jim is now living in God’s Paradise with his best buddy, Buster.

A drive through visitation will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held privately. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

It is with great sadness that the family of Rita Jo Kerz announces her passing on Sunday, May 10, 2020 at the age of 82.  She passed away at home surrounded by her family.

Rita was born April 21, 1938 in Virginia.  She loved to cook, bake, watch Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune with her family, and listen to Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra music.  Every Sunday morning she enjoyed watching Joel Osteen.  More than anything, Rita loved spending time with her family.  Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she loved her grandchildren unconditionally.  Rita said, “I learned that it is a blessing to have grandchildren, they really keep me thinking young.” She was a true blessing to our family and played an active role in all of our lives.  Rita was the most caring and supportive mother and grandmother our family could’ve asked for.  She was kind, caring, loving, selfless, and always went above and beyond for her family and others.  Her strength and will were immeasurable.  While she will be dearly missed, her memory will live on forever in the lives of those she touched.  She is survived by her loving family.  Private services were held.  All arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Linda Louise Shepherd, 61, a resident of Waukegan, IL, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2020 at her home.  She was born August 30, 1958 in Waukegan, IL to Vernon E. Shepherd and Elizabeth J. Bowers.  Linda was a member of the United Methodist Church in Waukegan.  She worked at in the library at CLC for over 20 years before retiring. She was an avid reader of sci-fi, adventure and fantasy. She also enjoyed watching movies and was an amateur photographer. 

Linda is survived by her sisters, Cynthia (Gary) Mordhorst of Racine, Wis and Pamela (Daune) Redman of Ingleside; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Stanley R. Shepherd.    A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Linda’s name to the College of Lake County Library.

All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Victor Teodoro Espino, age 78, a resident of Berwyn, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at Loyola Hospital in Maywood.  He was born December 30, 1941 in the Philippines to Alejandro and Ligaya Espino.  Victor was a member of the Catholic Church.  He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, whom he married 50 years ago on November 28, 1969; his mother Ligaya, his children, Irene (Avel) of Temple City, CA, Catherine (Samuel) of Temple City, CA, Richard (Sharon) of Des Plaines, Grace (Lourdes) of Chicago, Phillip (Mariani) of Chicago, and Michael (Ramelis) of Chicago; his grandchildren, Brian of the Philippines, Isaak, Keoni, and Victor all of Chicago, Tyson and Mikko of DesPlaines and Julia of the Philippines.  He is further survived by his siblings Teresa (Frank) Mendoza of Lake Elsinore, CA, Lydia (Fred) Magpali of Murrieta, CA, Alejandro (Armina) of Sun City, CA, Alejandra (Marius) Clemente of Lemon Grove, CA and David (Cecilia) of Chino Hills, CA.  He was preceded in death by his father Alejandro, his daughter, Carol Espino, and sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Serafin Ramos.  There will be a drive through visitation on Friday, May 22, 2020 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held privately. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Joseph Anthony Mazzocchi Sr., 73, a resident of Tucson, AZ and formerly of Round Lake Beach, passed away May 8, 2020 at his home.  He was born May 3, 1947 in Chicago, IL to Nick and Jean Mazzocchi.  Joseph was retired from Teamsters Local 705 and 301.  He owned his own company JAM Construction and he and his wife were the original owners of The Cedar Café in Round Lake Beach.  Joseph is survived by his wife of 23 years, Gail (nee: Siekierski), his children Michael (Jillian) Mazzocchi and Brian Mazzocchi, his grandsons Michael, Brian Jr., and Frankie Mazzocchi, his granddaughters Taylor, Briana, and Nicolette Mazzocchi, his great-grandchild Valentine Odalski, his sister Mary (Tom) Szczech, his sister-in-law Karen Mazzocchi, and his many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and his Nebraska family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Joseph Anthony Mazzocchi Jr., and his brother Nicky J. Mazzocchi.   A drive thru visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 from 10:00am until 11:00am with a private funeral service at  Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  The interment will be held following the private service at the funeral home at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Kathleen Louella Merker, age 70, a resident of Round Lake Beach, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at her home.  She was born February 11, 1950 in Chicago to John and Evelyn Geiser.  Kathleen enjoyed sewing and she loved her pets.  She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Merker of Lake Zurich and one sister, Marie (Leon) Brilliant of Topsham, Maine.  Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Richard Merker, in-laws, Leo and Delores Merker and a sister, Michelle Lange.  There will be a celebration of life at a later date.  Memorials donations in her name may be made to Mount St. Joseph Association, 24955 Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047.  All arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, lL 60030.  For information, please call 847-223-8122 or log on to www.strangfuneral.org.

Philip Malizio, age 71, a resident of Lake Villa, passed away Monday, May 11, 2020 at his home.  He was born July 11, 1948 in Evanston to Frank and Arline Malizio.  Philip was a member of the American Legion and Teamsters local 731.  A veteran of the U.S. Army, Philip was stationed in Panama from 1968-1970.  He was a simple man with simple needs.  He was content with little. Philip was also an avid sports memorabilia collector and a baseball fan. As a child, Gina came home with a pack of baseball cards and it sparked an obsession and love for baseball collectibles including cards and autograph baseballs.  Gina and Phil would then take trips to the multiplex the years the Bulls were in championship mode and they got players’ autographs.  They were such regulars there that Phil Jackson had accosted Phil and asked him if he was selling this for a profit.  He was not and never did.  Philip drove a semi-truck for a living, hauling steel initially and then construction materials and made many lifelong friends in the process.  This is when and where he became a teamster.  He would occasionally take Gina and Pat’s younger, Bryan, for rides.  They both had fun on “truck day.” Later in life he drove a school bus and was a fan favorite of the kids.  After that, he became a patient driving instructor.  Not sure if it was the same when Gina was learning how to drive, whether she would have agreed with the term “patient,” nevertheless.  Philip also enjoyed small road trips, a good diner breakfast with his brothers and good friends.  Later on after his disability made it more difficult for him to be mobile, he developed a love for nature.  He would sit out on the deck watching the different birds and squirrels.  He had a squirrel feeder out and even named the squirrels.  Philip is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patricia, whom he married in Glenview on March 17, 1979; daughter, Gina of Chicago; and brothers, Norman (Jana) Malizio of Mundelein and Lawrence Malizio of Libertyville.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wayne.  A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 11:00am until 2:00pm followed by a memorial funeral service at 2:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or to the Veterans Association of America.  For more information, please call 847-223-8122 or log on to www.strangfuneral.org.

Eva Acosta Meraz passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday April 28, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 17, 1932 in La Ceiba, Honduras. She was a loving mother to her four children. Mario R. Acosta (Lili), Judith E. Acosta, Rodolfo Acosta, Allan Acosta (Suyapa). She adored her nine grand-children, David E. Morales (Jenny), Jessica P. Acosta (Waska), Mario R. Acosta, Michelle L. Acosta, Allan Acosta Jr., Carlos I Hernandez, Enrique Acosta, Mario A. Acosta, Marcos Acosta, Also, her four great-grandchildren, Andrew A. Lozano, Ashley J. Morales, Jacob Acosta and Seru Eva Acosta, She was preceded in death by her son Rodolfo Acosta, her sister Olga Carbajal and her nephew Marcos Mejia. Dancing and listening to her favorite music was one of her many passions. She was always the life of every party and lit up the room as soon as she walked in. Mami Eva was the anchor of the family that kept us grounded and reunited.  A private funeral service was held. For more information, please call (847)223-8122.  

Robert Martin Koch, age 89, a resident of Grayslake passed away on April 29, 2020.  Robert (Bob) was born October 21, 1930.  His parents were Martin Koch and Pearl (Unison) Koch.  He was the older brother to John Gerhardt Koch, deceased.  He attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier for 2 years and graduated from Augustana College in Rockford, IL with honors in 1952. 

His first job was at Sears, Roebuck Co. as a salesman in Plumbing and Heating.  He sold a furnace to John Enander who said Bob should be working for him.  John became Bob’s good friend and mentor, and Bob went on to become President of Standard Transformer Co. in Warren, Ohio.

Bob married his wife, Anita (Ernst) on Dec 6, 1952.  They had 4 children, Susan (John) Shannon, Cathy (Delva) Hemker, Robert (Ernst) Koch, and Jeffrey (Jill) Koch.  His son, Robert died at age 17 in 1977.  He is survived by his grandchildren (Rebecka, Kendra, Catrina, Kyle, Justin, Jack) and his great-grandchildren (Aleasha and Marissa).  Bob and Anita were married for 67 ½ years.  

Upon Anita’s retirement, Bob became a lifetime member of the Wally Byam Airstream Club.  He was an active member of Joy! Lutheran Church where he was a member of the First Lighters, a men’s Bible Study group, and Men in Motion, making beds for children who had none.  Bob was their #1 varnish-man.  He also was a member of the Joyful Vagabonds, a bible study group for men and women.  He played bridge which began as a Joy! Bridge club but became a non-sectarian club with both members from other religions and churches.    The First Lighters support a prison ministry called FIST (Former Inmates Striving Together).   For 25 years, he was a volunteer at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glenco, IL.  He loved getting his hands dirty and seeing New Life springing from the earth.

His hobbies were boating, sailing, fishing, reading, and traveling in his Airstream.  Bob and Anita travelled in all 50 states.  He was a member of the Book Club at Carillon North Community, and a member of the Young Presidents Club in Ohio (men who become corporate presidents before the age of 40).   Anita used to tell his bosses that Bob had the “smarts” and she was the charmer.

His friends are many; some are childhood friends who remain our golden friends to this day. 

Bob died peacefully in his home of a sudden complication of diabetes.  He is much loved by his friends and family who will miss him greatly.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Joy Lutheran Church, 749 S. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee, IL 60031 https://www.joylutheran.org/

Faye Feddern, age 70, a resident of Wildwood, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at her home.  She was born June 28, 1949 to Clifford and Marie Keilman.  She was a member of St. Gilbert Catholic Church and was a PCT Tech at Northwestern Medical Hospital.  She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Roy, whom she married on January 4, 1975 in Crown Point, Indiana.  She is also survived by her daughter, Jennifer Feddern and her siblings, Rose Lapkovitch, Mary Hammit and Anne Furhman.  Visitation will be on Sunday, May 3, 2020  from 4-8pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 (during this time we will still adhere to COVID-19 guidelines).  The funeral service will private and held on Monday, May 4, 2020 at the funeral chapel.  Interment will follow at Irving Park Cemetery 7777 W Irving Park Road in Chicago.  Memorials in her name may be made to the American Cancer Society. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.