Stephen M. McMahon, age 74, of Grayslake, Illinois passed away Friday, November 8th, 2019 at Auberge Memory Care in Lake Zurich.  Stephen was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 26th, 1945 to Rita and Joseph McMahon. He grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, surrounded by six siblings and graduated from high school when he entered into the US Army. He served three tours in Vietnam, retiring after 27 years of service as a US Army Major. He was the recipient of several medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksman (Rifle M-1).  Upon returning, he went on to college and graduated Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. He met and married the love of his life, Marilyn, and raised two children with her, starting in Chicago and ending up in northern Lake County. He retired after 30 years with the EPA and then working as a contractor for the Chicago Public School System. He earned several additional degrees and certifications in his free time. He was also a member of Mensa.

Those who knew him, loved him. He was a very gentle man, often serving others before himself. He was compassionate, had an incredible laugh and smiled with his eyes. He loved helping others, often lending tools, a hand, and his knowledge on electrical systems and other home improvement needs. He also enjoyed reading history and biology books, watching football and hockey, and discussing current events with his grandson.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn, his daughter Jennifer (Scott) Biggs, son Joseph (Lori) McMahon, his grandchildren Justin, Shannon, Mackenzie, and Sarah. He also leaves behind his sisters, Janet and Pat, his brothers Mark and Jeff, many nieces and nephews, as well as friends. He is preceded in death by his mother, Rita, his father, Joseph, his brother, Bruce, and sister, Rosemary.  At this time, the family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the very caring staff at Auberge of Lake Zurich for their kind and compassionate care of Stephen and their kind words after his passing. They were truly remarkable humans and helped us, as a family, feel comfort in his care. Furthermore, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kindred Hospice of Arlington Heights and their incredible hospice staff. During our most difficult time, you helped comfort us and cared for Stephen as one of your own. Thank you.  Visitation will be held this Thursday, November 14th, 2019 from 4pm-7pm at Strang Funeral Home, 410 East Belvidere Road in Grayslake, Illinois. Services will immediately follow at 7pm. Internment will be held privately, where he will be given a full military funeral.  in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Stephen’s memory to https://alz.org.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Larry E. Nemmers, 61, a resident of Round Lake, passed away October 30, 2019 at Niles Nursing and Rehab in Niles, IL.  He was born March 24, 1958 in Waukegan, IL.  Larry attended Catholic Grade School and Carmel High School.  He was involved in Cub Scouts and basketball.  Larry was an architect and owned his own design business, Lanem Enterprise.  Larry was an audio enthusiast, loved camping at Wolf River, and being a grandpa.  He loved the White Sox and Bears.  Larry is survived by his wife of 13 years, Catherine Nemmers, his step-father Ray Dolence, his step-children Eric (Claudia) Chrobak, Melissa Messmer, and Hillary Messmer, his step-grandchildren, Elyse, Ellie, Ezekial, and Alan III, his siblings Jan Nemmers-Paramski of Lake Villa and Judy Nemmers of Antioch, and his nephews Brett (Kaja), Alec, and Emery Paramski, and his niece Aliya Rhodes.  He was preceded in death by his father Eugene Nemmers and his mother Joan Nemmers Dolence.  A memorial mass will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11am at Prince of Peace Church 135 S. Milwaukee Ave. Lake Villa Il. 60046.  All services were entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

James Milton Amburn, age 83, a resident of Grayslake, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at his home with his family by his side.  He was born in Quincy on August 14, 1936 to Milton and Pearl Amburn.  Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. An avid baseball fan, he was a lifelong Cubs fan and was actively involved in Mundelein Little League, serving as coach and assistant coach for his children’s teams for many years. He had a passion for bowling and was on the Senior bowling league in Mundelein for decades, and was also a lifelong model train enthusiast. He retired from Mt. Prospect based Cummins-Allison Corporation after nearly 30 years as a mechanical engineer, earning several patents for his innovative designs. Upon retirement he and Judie ran Bingo at Saddlebrook Farms every Monday for 15 years. They enjoyed traveling, taking cruises and trips to all parts of the world. Their favorite excursion was an 18-day trip to China. He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Judith, and his loving children, Matthew Amburn of Buffalo Grove and Lynda Amburn of Lawrenceville, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Farnsworth; and brother, Tom Amburn.  A visitation and funeral service are scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019 with visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and the funeral service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held privately.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or www.stjude.org.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Carol Ann Hooper, 84, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Winchester House in Libertyville, IL.  She was born October 4, 1935 in Chicago, IL to Charles and Elizabeth Schmidt.  Carol enjoyed Mahjong, knitting, cross-stitch, and playing with her grandkids and great-grandkids.  Carol is survived by her daughters Linda Coleman, and Donna (Cal) Gaunt, her grandchildren Matthew (Brittany) Coleman, Steven (Ashley) Garbacz, and David Garbacz, and her great-grandchildren Nora Coleman and Luke Garbacz.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fred Hooper, her daughter Diane Garbacz, and her siblings Charles Schmidt, Betty Morris, Robert Schmidt, and Charlotte Akin.    All services were held privately and entrusted to Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kamins Farm Sanctuary 23377 W. Chardon Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org

Duane H. Steffen, 69, of Grayslake, passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL. He was born December 30, 1949 in Marshfield, WI to Harry and Frances Steffen. He had three siblings who preceded him in death, Sharon Rivers nee Steffen, Don Steffen and Jerry Steffen. Duane married his wife of 51 years Joy Steffen, nee Clark on September 14, 1968. They have one daughter Amy Tasker nee Steffen, her husband Rich Tasker, Jr. Three grandchildren, Tucker, Haiden and Kamryn. Duane was loved by many including his brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins along with his very close friends. Duane was a truck driver for Grayslake Feed Sales, retiring in 2015 with 43 years of dedicated service. He loved taking long weekends camping where he would enjoy a great campfire with friends and reminisce about the good old days, play horseshoes and on the fall Sunday evenings watch his favorite football team the Green Bay Packers. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at the Round Lake Beach Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 from 2:30pm-6:30pm. We will be honoring the classic Duane-style and wear his favorite plaid/flannel shirts, jeans and boots. “Rather than mourn the absence of the flame, let us celebrate how brightly it burned.”

Anthony “Anton” Botman, 85, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL.  He was born May 3, 1934 in the Netherlands.  Anton immigrated to the United States in 1967.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus with St. Joseph Catholic Church in Round Lake.  Anton enjoyed music, singing, dancing, and being part of the church choir, but Anton’s true passion was bicycling.  Anton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Louisa, his children Caroline (Tom) Copenhaver, Marion (Brian) Wilson, Monique (the late David) Gonzalez, his grandchildren Krista (Jack) Dippold, Emilee Copenhaver, Haley Copenhaver, Andrew (Amy) Litchfield, Daniel Wilson, Lindsay Wilson, Sabrina Gonzalez and Alexandra Gonzalez, his great-grandchildren Lincoln Arkel and Henry Anton, and his siblings Jos Botman, Piet Botman, Wil Botman, and Agatha Botman.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jan and Dick Botman, and his sister Afje Botman.  A memorial visitation and service is scheduled from 4:00p.m. until 7:00p.m. with a memorial service commencing at 7:00p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held privately.  For information, please call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.

Merle Francis Pease, age 89, of Vernon Hills, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.  She was born on July 26, 1930 in Steelton, PA to Walter and Mildred Siegfried.  Merle grew up in Steelton, PA where she met her husband of 69 years, Sam.  She was a graduate of Steelton High School.  She and her husband Sam attended and were married at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Steelton.  Merle was employed by Bell Telephone in her early years, and, after marriage, devoted her life to her family.  In more recent years, her greatest joy continued to be her family, her six grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren.  She will be missed for her sharp wit, strength, ability to recall all of the family history, and her love of celebrating the holidays with her family.  Today, Heaven shines a little brighter with her soul and smile a part of it.  And while here we share an unfillable void—we share it together.  And together, with you and her family, is where she loved being most.  Merle is survived by her husband of 69 years, Sam,  whom she married on August 26, 1950 in Steelton, PA; her children, Gregory (Jackie) of Grayslake and David (Julie) of Chicago;  her grandchildren, Nicole (Scott) of Grayslake, Tyler (Allyssa) of Sarasota, FL, Megan of Grayslake, Kristin (Travis) of Orlando, FL, Karen (Mike) of Orlando, FL, and Sam of San Francisco, CA; and five great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Arlene Kingston of Steelton, PA, Eugene Siegfried of Rohnert Park, CA and Merlin Siegfried of New Cumberland, PA.  A visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2019 from 9:30am to 10:30am at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 East Belvidere Road in Grayslake, IL 60030 followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 22333 West Erhart Road in Mundelein at 11:00am.  Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or online at lung.org or to the National Direct Response Headquarters, 1200 Hosford Street, Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316 or action.lung.org.  For more information, please call 847-223-8122 or visit strangfuneral.org.