Shirley A. Cartwright, 82, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2019. She was born on August 19^th, 1936 in Oak Park, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Thelma Klass, and only sibling, sister Virginia. She is survived by her children Susan (James), Cynthia (Eloin), Thomas, Leeann, and Robert. She was blessed to be a grandmother and great-grandmother many times over. She was the very best G.G. to the “little guys”- Devlin and Regan.

Shirley attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Chicago, IL. She was happiest enjoying the warmth and sun in Florida, where she lived for many years before returning to be near her family in Illinois. She was extremely creative and her artistic talents could be seen in her cooking, sewing, crafts, and wardrobe. She loved animals, especially dogs. She made a lasting impression on every person she met and it was a joy to hear her call you “sweetheart”. She was loved fiercely by those closest to her.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 3:00pm until 4:00pm with the memorial service commencing at 4:00pm. For more information, please call (847) 223-8122 or visit www.StrangFuneral.org.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Ronald McDonald House Charities (www.rmhc.org). 

“… people will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Michael S. Crowley, 59, a resident of Johnsburg, IL, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Journeycare Hospice in Barrington, IL.  He was born November 22, 1959 in Woodstock, IL to Harry and Johanna Crowley.  Michael is survived by his sister Colleen (Robert) Cline, his niece Shelby Cline, his nephew Jake Cline, and many cousins.  A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Monday, April 29, 2019 from 10:00am until 1:00pm with the funeral service commencing at 1: 00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.    Interment will be held after the services at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org  or the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

MaryEllen Florence Idstein, 90, a resident of Lindenhurst and formerly of Grayslake, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the Village of Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst.  She was born August 17, 1928 in Chicago, IL to Clyde and Dorothy Foster.  She was a member of St. Gilbert Catholic Church.  She is survived by her husband, John “Jack” Idstein, whom she married 68 years ago on September 9, 1950 in Chicago. Mary met her husband, Jack, at a local Young Peoples Club, where they both started their love for skits, etc.  After moving to Grayslake in 1953, Mary sang in the Choir at St. Gilberts for over 50 years. She was involved with the community and worked for a number of years for The Grayslake Times, Rudolph’s Pharmacy and many volunteer offerings—all while raising seven kids.  She also enjoyed playing designer and GC for a family custom log home buidling company.  More recently she enjoyed the Writer’s Club at Victory Lakes. She is also survived by her children, John R. (Patricia L.) Idstein of Grayslake, Dorothy A. (Hershel) Green of Springville, TN, Kenneth J. (Anna) Idstein of Grayslake, Paul H. (Karen)  Idstein of Canyon Lake, TX, and Margaret M. (Paul) Moore of Casa Grande, AZ;  grandchildren, Karrie Idstein of Kenosha, WI, Khristine Idstein of Kenosha, WI, Hershel L. Green III of Washington, DC, John (Jennifer) Green of Saluda, VA, Crystal Green of Baltimore, MD, James (Arianna) Green of San Diego, CA, Katrina (Russell) Laws of Henderson, NV, Thomas (Abbie) Idstein of Grayslake, Derek (Erika) Idstein of Waxhaw, NC, Isaac (Alex) Idstein of San Antonio TX, and Paul Moore Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; and eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Kathleen (Jim) Ott of Temecula, CA.  Her parents; two sons, Thomas M. Idstein and Daniel C. Idstein; and a grandson, Aaron Idstein preceded her in death.  A visitation is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2019 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  The funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 10:00am at St. Gilbert Catholic Church 301 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL.  Interment will be follow at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities.   For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Rudolph “Rudy” J. Nowak, 91, a resident of Grayslake and formerly of Antioch, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019.  He was born March 29, 1928 in Chicago, IL to John and Mary Nowak.  Rudy was a veteran having served with the United States Army Air Force.  He was a former member of St. Peters Catholic Church in Antioch.  Rudy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Clare, his sons Ken (Jean) Nowak and Bob (Cheryl) Nowak, his grandchildren Andrew Nowak, David Nowak, Jen (Nick) Moore, Jimmy Nowak, Catie Nowak, and Joey Nowak, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Helen Padula and Jane Grabowski.  A visitation and funeral mass is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2019 from 9:00am until 11:00am with a funeral mass commencing at 11:00am at St. Gilbert Catholic Church 301 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  Entombment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org.  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.

Pauline Evelyn (Goodson) Semmerling was born on February 5, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois.  She died on March 25, 2019 in Round Lake Beach, Illinois at Hillcrest Nursing Center.  She had been a longtime resident in Des Plaines, Illinois and Yalaha, Florida.  She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Rucker (AR) Goodson and Margaret (Cokefair) Goodson, her husband, Ralph Semmerling; son, Jim Turley; and brother, Earl Goodson.

Pauline was an avid reader and great supporter of her local libraries.  She also enjoyed watching her extensive collection of movies, listening to music and making crafts.  She would read the daily newspapers, clipping articles to share and enjoying the ‘funnies’ page.

Pauline created beautifully hand stitched and hand painted Christmas ornaments for her family, which we treasure.  She never missed an opportunity to send birthday and graduation wishes with cards and wonderful letters.  She also was a collector of dolls. For years, Pauline enjoyed biking around town, swimming and exercising at the YMCA. 

She worked as a secretary at US Gypsum Research with her husband, Ralph.  They retired in 1987 to Yalaha, Florida.  While in Florida, she served on the homeowner’s association board for The Springs community.  She was a big fan of “that mouse”  AKA Mickey Mouse/Walt Disney World. 

Pauline and her ex-husband, Glen Turley had 8 children:  She is survived by Fred Turley, Lynn Lilja (Steve), Joyce Turley (Jerry Gosenpud), Rena Othick (Mike), Jill Buck (Joe), Dave Turley (Suzanne) and Bill Turley (Malik).  She also is survived by brother, Bo Goodson and sister-in-law, Terese Goodson (Earl). 

Pauline’s grandchildren are Kellyn Markus (Robert), Ray Mandelky, Aimee Gustafson (Jim), Rachel Plotner, Randy Plotner (Liz), Julianne Turley-Plotner (Greg Edwards), Tom Gosen, Andy Othick, Michelle Nestler, Jessie Hammersmith (Gary), Holly Buck, Ryan Turley, Karlene Turley, Forest Turley, Quinn Turley, and Grey Turley.  Pauline has many adorable great-grandchildren.

For the past 2 1/2 years, Pauline lived with caregivers, Lynn and Steve Lilja, in Antioch, Illinois providing her with a loving and safe environment.  They attended CrossView Church together.

On Sunday, June 30, 2019, there will be a visitation from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm with a memorial service commencing at 2:00 pm at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 East Belvidere Road, Grayslake, Illinois 60030. Phone: 847-223-8122.  Following will be a luncheon and reminiscing at the home of Joyce Turley and Jerry Gosenpud.

Pauline will be buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Memorials/donation may go to: Alzheimer’s Association. 

Gerald Leo Matayka, age 73, a resident of Round Lake passed away on Monday, March 25, 2019.  He was born on May 6, 1945 in Chicago to Edward and Marie Matayka.  Gerald was a member of the Military Police during the Vietnam War with the division of Phan Rang 504^th.  He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 47 years whom he married on October 8, 1972 in Chicago.  He is further survived by his children, Caryn M. Stanley of Platteville, WI and Edward S. (Karen G.) Matayka of Bandera, TX; grandchildren, Alissa K. Stanley of Milwaukee, WI, Quinn A. Stanley of Platteville, WI, Alana M. Matayka of Bandera, TX and Ryan D. Matayka of Bandera, TX; brothers, Edward Matayka of Crystal Lake, Robert Matayka of Bridgeview, and Thomas (Sandra) Matayka of Cary.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn A. Matayka; and his sister, Elizabeth O’Brien.  A visitation and funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 10:00am until 2:00pm with the funeral service commencing at 2:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.  Interment will be held privately. Memorial donations may be made to the Wisconsin Fisher House, 5000 National Ave, Milwaukee, WI.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Florentino “Toaster” Gonzalez, Jr.Born 12/3/1965.  A man of many nicknames, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his devoted family on 3/19/19. He was truly an amazing, devoted, soulmate and husband to Shelly.  A superb father & best friend to Alex, Max, & Jordan (G), Jon, Brit & Sam Straus and all of their significant others as well.  And a wonderful Son to Nani Bev. Known to family & friends as “Dr. Hands of Gold” who could fix anything.  We never needed to hire anyone or wonder how or when it was going to be fixed.  He started as a maintenance mechanic 13 years ago and rose to Corporate Facilities Manager for Medline Industries, Inc.  He was always positive, passionate, dedicated professional and always willing to help or teach. Complications from Leukemia took him too early from our lives.  Please register to be a bone marrow and organ & tissue donor.  All donations should be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation. Please join us for a Memorial in his honor, Friday, March 29th from 6-8PM at Strang Funeral Chapel In Grayslake, IL
Thank you, The Gonzalez & Straus Family

Terry M. Dixon, 49, a resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL.  He was born April 6, 1969 in Washington D.C. to Sedric and Judy Dixon.   Terry was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Atlanta College of Art in 1992 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of Art Institute of Chicago in 1995. His various art techniques include painting, photography, computer art, video, and electronic music. Terry’s imagery is fueled by his love for jazz and electronic music. Terry began exhibiting in 1991 while living in Atlanta, Georgia, and landed on the art scene in Chicago at BAREWALLS 2000.  Most recently Terry was a professor at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. Terry is survived by his wife of 18 years, Patricia, his father Sedric Dixon, his children Terry Jr. and Devin, and his sister Amanda Dixon. He was preceded in death by mother.  A visitation and funeral service is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00pm with a funeral service commencing at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030. Interment will be held privately.  Memorial donations may be made in Terry’s name to the Amyloidosis Foundation at  www.amyloidosis.org.  For information, please call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.

Vicki R. Lange (nee Feisel), age 68 of Grayslake, Illinois passed away March 20, 2019. She was born on September 6, 1950 in Bowling Green, Ohio to Mason and Ester Feisel. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Fritz. She is survived by her life partner Dan Feddor, cherished friends Stephanie Krum (Steve), Beth Reece (Barry), Rob Teigen (Joanna), and countless friends and neighbors.

Vicki received her B.A. in Fine Arts: Art History and Printmaking from Indiana University at South Bend. Not long after graduation, Vicki moved to Chicago to work for a large advertising firm managing marketing campaigns for many well-known brands. After this, Vicki had a very successful career as a Mary Kay sales consultant before transitioning to the publishing field in 1997. She served as the International Sales and Rights Manager for Moody Publishers for over nine years before working for the University of Chicago Press as Custom & Consortia Sales Manager through 2012. Vicki worked as an office manager for the Hagnell Law Office prior to her retirement. 

Vicki also used her gifts of compassion as a Hospital and Healthcare Service Volunteer at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Vicki was a deeply spiritual person who desired to encourage others with her faith. In 2015 she earned her Certificate of Spiritual Direction from the Transformational Listening Center. Vicki contributed to mission work around the world over the years. She faithfully sponsored orphan children in Haiti through her church, Covenant Presbyterian of Chicago. 

Vicki Lange did everything—that is, everything—with style, wit and warmth. 

She had an abiding curiosity about the world around her and embraced opportunities to discover places, engage new people, and have new experiences. She loved to travel to new destinations, absorbed everything about the people, landscape, food and flavor of the place, and then, return to the familiar because she loved…home. She was a well-heeled traveler and an expert packer who could live out of a carry-on bag and look like she never wore the same thing twice.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed biographies, spy stories, and all things British. She loved to entertain guests in her home and was a gracious hostess and used her artistic talent to create breathtaking Thanksgiving tables that were different each year. Earlier in life, Vicki designed and sewed her own clothes. Her impeccable style endured; no one could put together and accessorize an ensemble quite like she did.  She had a way of conveying warmth and making people feel comfortable; those she knew and loved and those she’d only briefly encountered. Vicki considered a simple name tag an invitation to call a stranger by name and strike up a very personal conversation.

A visitation and memorial service will be held at Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, IL 60030 on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm with a memorial service commencing at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Vicki Lange may be sent to the following address. This was Vicki’s favorite charity as the funds are for gynecologic oncology patients in need.  University of Illinois Gynecologic Oncology, Dept. of Ob/Gyn, Attention: Ankit Patel, 820 S. Wood Street, 264 CSN, MC 808, Chicago, IL 60612. For more information, please call (847) 223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.  

Ian M. Anderson, 38, a resident of Antioch, IL passed away at his home on Saturday, March 16, 2019.  He was born October 13, 1980 in Elk Grove Village, IL to Lynne and Terrence Anderson.  Ian is survived by his mother Lynne Anderson, his father Terrence Anderson, his fiancé Elizabeth Tackett and her children Holden and Braidlyn, his sister Kelley Anderson, and his best friends Frankie Smith and Pauline Kristiansen.  A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium 410 E. Belvidere Rd. Grayslake, IL 60030.   Interment will be held privately.  For more information please contact (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.

Marilyn R. DeMeyer, 66, lifelong resident of Grayslake, IL, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Journey Care Hospice in Glenview, IL.  She was born September 14, 1952 in Chicago, IL to Bob and Ruth Notson and moved to Grayslake when she was 6 months old.  She graduated from Grayslake Community High School and Elmhurst College where she earned an Elementary Education Degree.  She taught first grade at Lakeview School then Millburn School.  She also worked at Faith Baptist Church as a secretary for 12 years, as well as helping her husband, Rich, at his shop.  Marilyn met her husband Rich on a blind date on June 7, 1971 and they married on August 2, 1975.  They stayed happily married for 43 years. Marilyn loved people. And if she couldn’t talk face to face, she was quick to pick up the phone. She loved hosting birthdays, graduations, holidays and parties.  Her laugh and her smile were both contagious and she had a way of making everyone feel at home – friends, family and strangers alike.  She loved having a home full of kids and cared for both her own as well as many others over the years. Nothing was more important to her than her faith in Jesus Christ.  She took every opportunity to pray with others and point them to the hope found in Him.  And through both the highs and lows of life, she leaned on Him to carry her. More than leaving family behind, Marilyn leaves a legacy of a faithful marriage, a strong faith in Jesus, and a deep love for people. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Rich, her children Kristin (Doug) Rowland, Brian (Megan) DeMeyer, Karen (Zach) Ruding, her grandchildren Zander, Clara and Emersyn Rowland and Jordan DeMeyer, her siblings Susan (David) Tripp and Ken (Wendy) Notson.  A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 10:00am at Grace Community Church 15 Commerce Dr. Grayslake, IL 60030.  Instead of flowers and other gifts to the family, donations to Grace Community Bible Church, Rock Island Bible Church, and Samaritan’s Purse are requested. 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.