Marilyn (“Marno”) Ruth Benande passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at age 94.  Marno was born in Chicago on December 16, 1925 and attended Pierce grade school and Senn High School in Chicago.  She attended the University of Illinois, where she joined Kappa Delta sorority and graduated in 1948 with a degree in history.  In 1951, she moved to Grayslake where she lived until moving to assisted living in 2011.  She was a long time member of the United Protestant Church.

Marno taught 1st grade for 20 years at BJ Hooper in Lindenhurst, and then was promoted to 2nd grade (haha) for a few years until retiring at the age of 55.  Although retired, she had an abundance of energy and, when she wasn’t traveling the world, she volunteered at Lake Forest Hospital, a local thrift store, the United Protestant Church and Meals on Wheels. She also belonged to several bridge clubs, the Grayslake Women’s Club, Grayslake Historical Society, Circle 6 at UP Church and went out with friends every day of the week.  To know her really was to love her. She loved her family as well as ice cream which she had the day before she passed.  She also enjoyed a martini or red wine at cocktail hour.

Marno was the loving mother of Judy Lynne (David) Peters and Joy Sellstrom (Matt) Kruyswyk. She was the adoring Nana of Kristy (Pat) McCreight, Danny (Dana) Peters, Kenny Kruyswyk, Micky (Taylor) Kruyswyk and Scottie Kruyswyk. Finally, she was blessed with five great grandchildren – Alex, Nathan & Caitlyn McCreight and Maddi and Chloe Peters.

Friends may call Monday, March 16, 2020 from 3 to 7 pm at Strang Funeral Home, 410 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake.   Funeral service and burial will be private.  Should friends desire, contributions may be sent in memory of Marilyn Benande to the United Protestant Church, 54 S Whitney St, Grayslake, IL 60030 or The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 (https://www.v.org/ways-to-give/giving-options/

Mildred June Kulin, age 84, of Grayslake, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2020 at her home.  She was born April 20, 1935 in Milford, IL to Russell and Gladys (Callahan) Schuringa.  Mildred June Kulin beloved wife of the late Eugene Emil Kulin and loving mother to her son Eugene Arthur and daughter Dyan Michelle. Known to friends and others as ‘Miss Millie’. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, cooking, baking, traveling with her friends, enjoying events and was an avid reader. She worked at the College of Lake County in both the bookstore and library. Her warm heart always had room in it for all those who wanted her grace. Her gentle sense of humor and quick wit endeared her to all who knew her.  Mildred is survived by her son Eugene, grandchildren, Jessica and P.J.; six sisters, JoAnne Kegebien, Janet Frantz, Carol Toussaint, Shirley McDougal, Sheila McDougal and Valerie Jacques; and one brother, Charles Schuringa.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene Emil; daughter, Dyan Michelle; and brother, Edward Thomas Schuringa.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 10am until 11am with the funeral service beginning at 11am at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network @ https://www.pancan.org .   For information, call 847-223-8122 or go to www.strangfuneral.org.

Len Lambert, beloved husband of Vickie Lambert and loving father of Michael (deceased), Cristyn (Chad Kwapniewski) and Stefanie, went peacefully at home, to be with his Lord Jesus on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.  He was born on December 14, 1942 to Adlor and Mildred Lambert (both deceased).  He was a carpenter contractor and gifted at building homes and custom cabinetry.  On November 13, 1976 he married Vickie (Loftus).  He built their family home in 1977 where they raised their family and still live today.  Len is also survived by his brothers, Art (Janet), Richard (Marge), Ray (Juannie, deceased), and Phil; sisters, Leona (deceased) (Ken), Mary (Ray deceased); parents, Al and Mildred (both deceased) Lambert; and many beloved nieces and nephews.  A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 9:00am until 12:30pm with the funeral service at 12:30pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E Belvidere Road in Grayslake with Pastor David Giese from the Village Church of Gurnee officiating.  Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.  Memorial donations may be made to the Village Church of Gurnee, 1319 N Hunt Club Road, Gurnee, IL 60031 or online vcgurnee.org for congregational care.   For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

John C. Parmelee, 67, a resident of Wildwood, IL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones and his loyal dog on Friday, February 21, 2020. He was born June 14, 1952 in Elmhurst, IL to Dolores and Wade Parmelee.

John was a proud father of three who was heavily involved in coaching and supporting his children’s youth sports programs through Warren Township and Viper Cheer Allstars. He was also a lifelong mechanic and the honest, loyal and proud owner of Lake County Automotive in Hainesville, IL.

John is survived by his mother Dolores Parmelee, his children Kyle (Kim) Parmelee, Brandon Parmelee, and Maggie (Steve) Woznick, one granddaughter on the way, his siblings Denise (Jeffrey Welker) Meyer and Mike (Karen) Parmelee, the best ex-wife ever, Georgette (Gilbert Shook) Parmelee, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Wade Parmelee.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, March 21^st from 1:00-5:00pm at Austin’s Fuel Room located at 481 Peterson Rd., Libertyville, IL 60048. 

Interment will be held privately. 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.

Darlene M. Gallagher, 83, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, IL.  She was born November 6, 1936 in Manchester, IA to Vernon and Lillian Burns.  Darlene enjoyed crocheting, was a pottery artist, and made designer afghans.  She also enjoyed helping her husband, at Exchange Club and Navy League events.  Darlene is survived by her husband of 62 years, Fergal “Pat” Gallagher, her children Fergal “Patrick” (Michelle) Gallagher Jr., Kevin Gallagher, and Bridget (Mark) Mascillino, and her sister Norma Jean Albers.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Burns.  A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm with the funeral service commencing at 4:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  The interment will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 12:30pm at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.  Memorials may be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Albert Henry Ragazzi, 68, a resident of Grayslake, Illinois, passed away on February 17, 2020 at his home.  Mr. Ragazzi was born on May 19, 1951 in California to his parents Frank Ragazzi and Anita (Perkins) Ragazzi. Mr. Ragazzi was a retired Sales Representative for several toy manufacturers throughout his life.  Mr. Ragazzi enjoyed spending time between Illinois and Florida, going on cruises, and driving his cherished 1989 Chevy Corvette.   

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Mary Ragazzi of Grayslake, IL; brother Art (Ginger) Ragazzi; sister Anita (Charlie) Yates; two sons Brian Ragazzi and Chris (Lawrence) Ragazzi; two step-daughters Denise Kowalik and Donna (Jason) Dailey; two step-sons Kevin (Laura) Kowalik and Brendan (Christina) Kowalik; and nine grandchildren: Kailey, Zachary, Ethan, Emma, Jacob, Noah, Sean, Margot, and Oliver.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.  All funeral arrangements were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information please log onto www.strangfuneral.org or call (847)223-8122. 

Frida Navat Reyes, 69, a resident of Round Lake, passed away on February 16, 2020 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. She was born on October 6,1950 in the Philippines to Cresencio and Virginia Canonizado. 

She attended Radford high school in Honolulu, Hawaii, received her Associates degree at Southwestern College, Chula Vista, CA. She then retired as a Housing Counselor at the Great Lakes Naval Station – Bachelor Housing. 

She is proceeded in death by her husband of 41 years Wilfredo in 2018, grandson Brent K. Falkinham, her father Cresencio and mother Virginia. 

She is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Jason) Falkinham, son Rick, step-son Richard, granddaughter Madison Falkinham, sisters: Fe (Willie) Santos, Luz Salonga, Raquel Navat, Wendy (Joel) Balanon, brothers: Willie (Cecile) Canonizado, Henry (Cielo) Navat, numerous nephews, nieces and their families.

She was a loving mother and grandmother, who enjoyed watching The Filipino Channel, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and other game shows and rooting for sports teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks, San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears. 

Visitation will be Monday, February 24th from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030, with the Funeral/Mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church 27551 Volo Village Rd, Volo, IL 60073. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Road. Zion, IL 60099.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. For information, please call 847-223-8122 or go to to www.strangfuneral.org.

Betty I. Solberg (nee Beran), resident of Round Lake for over 50 years, formally of Ocala, Florida and recently of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin went to her eternal rest on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.  She passed comfortably at her home at Robins Way Assisted Living comforted by family including the exceptional team at Robins Way. 

 Betty was born October 7, 1924 to Charles and Elizabeth Beran in Chicago.  She grew up in Chicago surrounded by a large family.  She moved to Round Lake in 1952 and worked at Heppner Manufacturing in Round Lake followed by Gefco Manufacturing in Grayslake.  In her later years she worked part time in the family flower shop in Round Lake Beach.  She was an avid bowler, dancer and card player.  She had an amazing talents with a crochet needle.   

 She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Al in 1990, her second husband Burt in 2004, son-in-law Chuck Altman, grandson Jerry Altman as well as brothers Chuck (late Millie), Bill and Jim (late Arlene) Beran. 

 She is survived by her only child, Judie (late Charles) Altman of Pleasant Prairie and formally of Altman’s Flower Box in Round Lake Beach, IL; one granddaughter Jodi (Lane) Cagle of Pleasant Prairie; one grandson Jason (Courtni) Altman of Lake Villa; five great-grandchildren, Stephanie (Adam), Cory, Devin, Abby and Natalie; two great-great-grandchildren Gavin and Evelynn Grace Loftus.  Betty leaves three nephews, four nieces and many dear friends. 

A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with the funeral service starting at 12:00 p.m. at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, 33100 North Hunt Club Road, Libertyville, IL. If you prefer to make a donation, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Alliance, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158. For information, please call 847-223-8122 or log on to www.strangfuneral.org.

Charles E. Gillham, 64, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL.  He was born July 13, 1955 in Chicago, IL to John and Pearl Gillham.  Charles was currently working for Video Jet Technologies in Elk Grove Village for over 40 years.  He was a member of Lord of Glory Church in Grayslake and previously a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Skokie for 22 years.  He enjoyed baseball, canoeing, chess, vacationing and spending time with family, and was an avid Cubs fan.  Charles is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sandee, his mother Pearl Gillham, his children Tracee (Matt) Burke and John (Rachel) Gillham, his grandchildren Jovie, Charles, Beverly, and Georgia Gillham, his sister Sandee (Mike) Jackson, his brother Ken (Claudia) Gillham, sister-in-law Susan Walters and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father.  A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, 607 W. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the church.  Interment will be held after the services at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL.  Memorials may be made to the Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Emilia Del Cid, 93, from Guatemala, was born May 22, 1926, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, February 16, 2020.  Beautiful mother of eight followed by Carlos (deceased), Rolando (deceased), Rene (deceased), and survived by Marco, Mario, Teresa, Maritza, and Walter. She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Emilia came to the United States in 1973. She resided in Chicago, IL for 19 years, and she spent the rest of her life in Lake Villa, IL. Emilia was a sweet, loving, selfless, and strong woman who dedicated her life to taking care of her family. She enjoyed long walks, gardening, and knitting. Her all time favorite games were loteria, bingo, and checkers.

She was a woman of faith who will be remembered by her sweet spirit, and admired for her kind soul. Her unconditional love will always linger within us.

Visitation service will be on Wednesday February 19, 2020 from 4-8 P.M. at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E Belvidere Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030.

Mass service will be held the following day, Thursday February 20, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Gilbert’s Catholic Church, 301 E. Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030

Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1920 Buckley Rd. Libertyville, IL 60048. Memorial contributions may be made to the family care of Strang Funeral Chapel.  For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or call (847) 223-8122

Drucilla Ann “Dru” Carlson: Longtime Glenview resident, Chicago film family matriarch
If her life were a movie, Dru Carlson’s story would defy categorization.
She was, by turns, a talented actress, fiercely independent adventurer, devoted wife, good-humored and supremely organized mentor, union organizer, female film trailblazer, and beloved matriarch of a television and film industry family that extended well beyond her own four children.
Each role carried significant plot elements. None come close to capturing her multidimensionality. All contribute rich layers to the tapestry of one extraordinary life.
Carlson, 87, departed this earth on February 12, 2020, in a manner befitting someone who was a highly regarded producer: at her daughter’s Grayslake home, and in the presence of her children, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.
“I think we can truly say Mom died of old age, and she was ready to go,” said one of her daughters, Druann. Her other daughter, Mary, added: “And she did it her way.”
Along with her late husband, Don, for decades she was at the helm of a family, and a much broader professional family, as she left an indelible imprint on the local and national film community.
After meeting as coworkers at Wilding Studios, the famous Chicago film studio, the couple was married for nearly 55 years until Don’s death in February 2012.
He had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) five years earlier. During this last stage of his life and their time together, Dru displayed a level of love and attentiveness that had become familiar hallmarks of her character.
“Mom was there for Dad as they struggled with ALS. She was his caregiver for years,” recalled Mary. “They even contributed to a study to help the medical community research ALS.”
Born Drucilla Ann Smith on June 15, 1932 in Chicago, she was the second born of Clark C. Smith and Mary Ann Graham.
A childhood affinity for movies blossomed not only into a lifelong zest for going to the cinema, but also creating shows for the television and silver screens.
She attended high school at St Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis and Mount Carmel Academy in Wichita, from which she graduated. She then enrolled at Webster College near St. Louis, a women’s college where she was a theatre major and participated in many productions, including playing the title role of Hamlet.
After her college graduation, Dru and one of her college roommates traveled to Europe. There, they rented a VW Beetle and explored France, Italy, Spain and Germany for a few months before selling their car for a profit and returning to the United States.
Right after that excursion, she and her roommate decided to move to Chicago. She secured a job at Wilding Studios, where she was trained as a script supervisor and met Don. They married on Sept. 14, 1957, and 11 months later, their first of four children, Don, was born.
When Don Sr. was promoted to be a director at Wilding Studios, they moved to Glenview, where they resided for 45 years and were actively involved with the Glenview Theatre Guild on productions such as I Remember Mama and The Music Man .
Dru also brought her consummate organizational skills to bear in running the Carlson household.
“Mom had a great knack for budgeting and organizing. As a film director, Dad traveled half the year during our childhood and Mom did it all,” said Mary. “I think It gave her the experience to run a whole film crew later as an assistant director. They organize and schedule the whole film. She was skilled in keeping things going on schedule amid the chaos of raising four kids practically single-handedly, and those traits were perfect for the film environment.”
By maintaining strict budgets, Dru opened up opportunities such as traveling to Europe for two months, which the family did one winter when the four children were all teens. “It was an amazing trip,” said Druann. “One we will never forget.”
While focusing on raising the children into their high school years, Dru returned to work full-time as a script supervisor. Her first film back to work was The Monitors, a 1969 film starring Larry Storch. She also became an organizer for IATSE Studio Mechanics Local 476 Chicago, giving script supervisors union representation for the first time.
She quickly moved on to assistant directing television series, including Chicago Story, Hill Street Blues, as well as many other independent and studio films.
“Our mom was elegant and graceful, organized and tenacious, an independent free thinker who had a great sense of humor,” said Rob Carlson, the youngest of the children. “We all really loved Mom. She was a great lady. We will greatly miss her.”
The first female assistant director in Chicago, and among the first nationally, Dru helped many people grow in their film careers. Included in this group are many current assistant directors and producers who are some of the industry’s brightest lights.
Her eldest, Don Jr., called his mother “a real pro” and said he loved working with her.
“She really knew her stuff and made our life as the crew easier. But as the first female assistant director many people worked with, she had to really stand her ground,” he continued. “She totally knew what she was doing, so she had the authority and confidence, but still the 95% male crew gave her a hard time. They were not used to a woman commanding the set. Eventually, she won them over and taught a lot of other women and men the ropes who are now producing prominent shows and feature films.”
As with her husband, Dru’s legacy extends beyond her own career and through the professional pursuits of her children. For nearly four decades, Don, Mary, Druann and Rob Carlson, collectively and often collaboratively, have worked on hundreds of major motion pictures, television series, industrial films and commercials.
A devout Catholic, Dru was fanatical in her love of sports. That passion extended to her support of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team—Don Jr. took her to a game in South Bend annually—as well as the Chicago Bears. She also rooted for both the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, two of professional sports’ fiercest rivals. That unusual dual alliance stemmed from her being raised in both St. Louis and Chicago, with a significant period growing up in Wichita, Kansas as well.
Another love in the sporting realm was horseracing, and Dru took all her grandchildren to Arlington International Racecourse and taught them how to bet on the horses.
She is survived by her sister, Jeanne Nyberg of Orlando, Fla.; her four children: Donald J. (Nan) Carlson, of Indiana and Los Angeles; Mary (Ron Gorecki) Carlson of Tucson, Ariz., Drucilla A. Carlson of Grayslake, Ill.; and Robert C. (Makiko) Carlson of Los Angeles; four grandchildren, Don Jr. (Janelle); Hannah and Cathy Carlson, and Melissa (Josh) Monroe; and two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Ryan Monroe.
A wake will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 21 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E Belvedere Road in Grayslake, Ill. 60030. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 22, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee IL 60031. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. All are invited to a lunch and memorial celebration that follows on Saturday afternoon at The Silo Restaurant, 625 Rockland Road, Lake Buff, Ill. 60044. For more information, please call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.

Julia (nee: Jones) Storc, 92, a resident of Round Lake Beach, passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Hillcrest Nursing Center in Round Lake Beach, IL.  She was born July 3, 1927 in West Frankfort, IL to Pete and Helen Jones.  Julia was an avid reader, loved to cook, travel with friends, and drive.  She was a loving and generous mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She retired at the age of 78 after a long career in the electronics industry.  Julia is survived by her children Richard (Rhonda) Storc of Pleasant Prairie, WI, James (Cindy) Storc “Fulltime RV’ers”, her grandchildren Jesse Storc of Charlotte, NC, Erin (Matt) Endress of Ashland, OR, Joe (Libby) Storc of Durango, CO, Kaitlyn (Amanda) Studinger, her great-grandchildren Ivy Storc of Durango, CO, and Tate, Francis, and Jackie Endress of Ashland, OR, and her best friend Patricia Bates.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Robert E. Storc, and her sister Marge Brzenk.  All funeral arrangements were privately held and 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.