Lombard/Villa Park obituaries—January 3

GLORIA B. AUBIN
Gloria B. Aubin, age 92, of Villa Park, passed away on Dec. 24, 2018.
Funeral Mass was held Friday, Dec. 28, at St. Alexander Church, Villa Park. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park. For info: 630-832-4161.

JOHN J. BODI
John J. Bodi passed away in Marquette, Michigan, at UP Health hospital on Friday, December 21, 2018. He was born in Hancock, Michigan, in 1927 to Edna and George Bodi. In 1953 he married Clare Kapsh.
After graduating from Dollar Bay High School at 17, he served in the Pacific during World War II with the Navy aboard a PC boat. He attended Michigan Technological University through the benefits of the GI bill, and graduated in 1950 with a degree in civil engineering.
Working as a construction superintendent, John started his family in Minnesota, followed jobs to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, back to Minnesota, settling finally in Lombard, where he commuted by train to Chicago until his retirement as chief estimator for a large construction company.
He had an ear for how to tell a funny story, like about when he and Clare met. Though he could tell it better, it goes like this: He’d gone to her family’s home to pick up his brother’s skis which her sister had used for the Michigan Tech Winter Carnival queen competition. When the woman he would marry opened the door, she was angry that he had woken her up from a nap. He had good memories of music and dance after the war and declared Big Band music the only kind of music a person needed to listen to.
He was a golfer, learned to play bridge while he was in the Navy and the officers needed a fourth, and lived to see the Cubs win the World Series, as well as the Bears on top of the NFC North again.
He leaves behind two brothers, Peter and George, sons Sam and Jim, and daughters Jane and Jeri. Clare and his sister June preceded him in death.
He’d been a resident at The Bluffs in Houghton, Michigan, since 2012, and was grateful for his time there. The family would like to thank the staff at The Bluffs for their kindness in welcoming John into their community. Being around interesting people and the stories they shared, meeting other veterans of war, participating in the many activities planned for residents, and rekindling Copper Country friendships kept him young at heart.
We would also like to thank the nurses and doctors at UP Health for helping him with a dignified and peaceful death.
Condolences may be left at www.oneilldennisfh.org.

ROLAND T. MINTER
Roland “Rod” T. Minter, age 84, of Oxford passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at his home.
Rod was born in Springfield, Missouri, on February 17, 1934, to William and Audrey (Bright) Minter. He grew up in Lombard, Illinois, and graduated from Glenbard High School. Rod served his country as a member of the United States Marines during the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart. Following his time in the service, Rod began repairing antique clocks and working with church groups helping teens in the DuPage County area who had drug problems.
Rod moved to the Oxford area in the late 1980s. He repaired clocks and was known as an antique dealer. He enjoyed fishing, writing novels, going to Antique Shows, he was an American Picker long before they were cool and he could almost always be found at one of his favorite cafes in Oxford enjoying the comaraderie of his many friends.
Rod also had a love for Scottish Terriers and was a member of The Brooks Church. He blessed many lives and will be missed by those who were lucky enough to know him.
Rod is survived by his sister, Alice (Gary) Heppe of Prescott, Arizona, and nieces and nephews: Craig (Ali) Heppe, Julie Heppe, Shirley (Dave) Lockin, Steve Shepherd and Paul Shirky. He is also survived by his best friend, John Bellon of Grand Marsh and many friends in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jack; sister, Audrey (William) Shepherd; and niece, Judy Shirky.
A memorial service for Roland “Rod” Minter was held on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at The Brooks Church, 342 Church St. (Brooks), Oxford, WI 53952. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Scottie Rescue in Moline, Illinois.
Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com.

PAUL G. NOLAN
A Memorial Visitation for Paul G. Nolan, 72, of Bensenville, will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. The Interment will be Private.
Paul was a Veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam. He continued to serve his country and community as a police officer for the Village of Lombard for 25 years. In his free time he enjoyed golfing and solving crossword puzzles.
He was the beloved Father of Melissa (Nick) Versino; Grandfather to Aiden and Ethan; Boyfriend to Christine Dorweiler; Brother of John (Alexis) Nolan, Peggy (Robert) Nykaza, Tracey (Robert) Habel; Brother-in-Law to Greg Nykaza, and Carl (Karla) Holtz. Paul was preceded in death by his Wife of 36 years, Donna nee Holtz; his sister Kathy Nykaza; his parents John (LaVerne) Nolan.

ALDEN W. ODER
Alden “Al” W. Oder, age 81 of Lombard, died Wednesday, December 26, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
A Memorial Gathering was held Sunday, December 30, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment will be private at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton, Illinois. Mr. Oder will be buried next to his beloved wife of 50 years, Dorothy, who preceded him in death in 2013. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Doyle and Mayme Oder.
Mr. Oder was the loving father of two daughters, Catherine A. (Michael) Rott of Aurora and Christine M. (Mark) Brawley of Arlington Heights; and the adored grandfather of four grandchildren, Ethan, Elizabeth, Sara and Sean. He is the brother in-law of Carl and Maryann Dugo.
Mr. Oder had been a resident of Lombard for 52 years and retired from Engelhard Mineral & Chemical Company. He served in the United States Army and was a longtime member of the Lombard Jaycees.
The family would like to thank all of his neighbors who helped Al out. We greatly appreciate all of the acts of kindness throughout the years.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 1-888-629-0094 for information.

THOMAS R. PLOKE
Thomas R. Ploke, age 73, of Lombard, passed away at home Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
Arrangement made by DuPage Cremations, Ltd. For more info please visit dupagecremations.com or call 630-293-5200.