DONALD W. BESLER
EAST PEORIA—Donald W. Besler, 74, of East Peoria, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2020, at his home with his family by his side.
He was born October 4, 1945, in Chicago, to the late Richard and Francis Weibel Besler.
He married Geraldine Harris in Villa Park, on June 4, 1966. She survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Don and Gary Besler; two grandchildren, Rachael and Quinn Besler; sister-in-law, Carol Besler; several nieces and nephews; and his four-legged companion, Barney. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dora Mae; and brother, Richard.
Donald was a United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Following his military service he was a successful entrepreneur who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.
Cremation rites have been accorded. Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 10, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington with social distancing and face coverings.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Historic Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, where he and his wife enjoyed taking long walks.
Donald’s memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to the family.
ANNA BIENASZ
Anna Bienasz, nee Bickel, age 94, of Lombard, died Sept. 8, 2020, at her home.
Arrangements are pending at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
LILLIAN T. DeLAURIE
Lillian T. DeLaurie of Lombard, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Sept. 2, 2020, on her 86th birthday.
Services will be scheduled later this fall. The obituary on our website will be updated when more information is available.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
OFELIA “FAYE” La PORTA
Ofelia I. “Faye” La Porta, nee Munoz, of Villa Park, passed away recently at the age of 81. Former wife of the late Ronald J. Sr. Loving mother of Elizabeth La Porta, Thomas La Porta and the late Ronald J. Jr. La Porta. Cherished grandmother of Annabella Marie and Luca La Porta. Fond sister of Celia (late Gerald) Okhuysen, Larry Munoz, Jerry (Mary) Adriano, the late Delia Martinez. Aunt and great aunt of many. Visitation and funeral services were private. In lieu of flowers, memorial Masses to St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 330 N. Westmore Ave, Villa Park, would be appreciated. Arrangements by Steuerle Funeral Home 630-832-4161.
DR. THOMAS J. ROGERS
Longtime Villa Park dentist
Longtime Elmhurst resident Dr. Thomas J. Rogers, DDS, was loved and prayed into the next life while surrounded by his cherished family on Sept. 2, 2020. He was 88. He was the dear husband of Barbara J. and the late Carol M. and the loving, much-admired father of Pattie (David Bolter), John (Barbara) and Lynn (Michael) Petrak. To say that he was proud of his grandchildren—Kevin, Samantha, Matthew, Christine, Katie, Jack and Annie—is an understatement; they were the light of his long, full life. He is also survived by his sister, Cornelia French Stagg of Savannah, Georgia, and his nieces and nephew. Born and raised in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, he was a proud graduate and longtime supporter of St. Ignatius College Prep (1950) and the University of Notre Dame (1954). After serving in the United States Army Dental Corps upon graduation from Loyola Dental School, he practiced dentistry in Villa Park for nearly 40 years and lived with his family in Elmhurst for 45 years. Former member (and regular reunion organizer) of the Elmhurst Jaycees, the Chicago Dental Society and the Immaculate Conception High School Parents Club, among several other organizations. Whether you knew him as “Doc,” Honey, Tommy Joe, Daddio, Papa or Bumpa, you understood that he was a man guided by faith, principle, generosity and skill, from fixing a crown to building a dock at his beloved summer home on Hamlin Lake in Ludington, Michigan.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later time to accommodate his many friends and loved ones. In his honor, you can pray the Hail Mary, hum the Notre Dame Fight Song, or toast to “Health, Happiness, Love and Peace” with a vodka gimlet on the rocks with lots of ice. Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory are encouraged to donate to IC Catholic Prep, Attn: Development Office, 217 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Arrangements provided by Gibbons Funeral Home. Info: gibbonsfuneralhome.com.
JOHN CHRISTOPHER SMITH
John Christopher Smith, of Villa Park, passed away at home on Aug. 18, 2020, at the age of 55. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, by his parents, Joan Ann (Boswell) Smith and John Walter Smith, Jr. He graduated from DeSmet Jesuit High School in St. Louis in 1983, and then attended St. Louis University. Afterwards, he moved to Chicago, which became his home for more than 30 years. Chris enjoyed several different jobs in Chicago including finance and banking, but he especially enjoyed his retail position at Jewel-Osco in Villa Park, where he became friends with many of his fellow employees and customers. Chris was a beloved son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, godfather, and friend. He is survived by his brother and sister-in law, Alex and Jerri Smith, of Baltimore, Maryland; his sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Nick Georgieff, of St. Louis; his niece, two nephews, and numerous loving relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Chris was preceded in death by his beloved niece, Lisa Georgieff. A memorial service will be planned in the future. Interment will be private. Condolences may be made at Caring Cremations, Chicago. Memorial donations appreciated to: Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation, Elmhurst. Arrangements provided by the family.
GUADALUPE STABOLITO
Guadalupe Stabolito, age 89, of Lombard, died Sept. 2, 2020, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, all services are private.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094.
