JOHN W. COOPER
John W. Cooper, age 92, of Lombard, died October 21 at his home.
John was the beloved husband of Donna M. nee Urie, whom he married in 1959; loving father of Ann (John) Gieser of Carol Stream and Michael (Kimberly) of Wheaton; fond grandfather of Donna Gieser of Carol Stream, Cameron Cooper of Wheaton and Mikaela Cooper of Wheaton; dear brother of Richard Jr. (Irene) of Oklahoma, Natalie (Jim) Hutchens of Kansas, Carolyn of Kansas and the late Joe of Kansas; many nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law, John Urie, of Canada.
John had been a Lombard resident for 44 years, since 1975. He was very active at Sacred Heart Church. His activities included prayer groups, Bible Study and prayed in the Adoration Chapel. John belonged to a Prayer Group, the Blue Army, at Visitation Parish in Elmhurst. He also was active at St. Stanislaus Kosta Parish in Chicago. From 1988-2011, John made many pilgrimages to Italy, Poland, France and Spain. John repaired damaged statues at many churches in the area. He also made rosaries and carved crucifixes.
John was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 1950-1952. He served for 25 years, from 1963 to 1988 and retired from Hines VA Hospital as Assistant to the Chief of Staff at Hines VA and was a Supervisor of the social workers there. He also worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas.
John graduated from Cathedral High School in Wichita, Kansas. John attended Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, receiving a B.S. in 1949. John attended seminary at North American College in Rome from 1952-1956. In 1960, he received his M.S. from St. Patrick School of Social Work in Ottawa, Canada.
Music was always a big part of John’s life. He grew up singing around the piano at home with his family and his voice was always heard singing at church. He had a beautiful voice and a wonderful ability to harmonize. He learned guitar after he retired and often had music playing at home.
A Visitation was held Friday, October 25, from 4-8 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Funeral Services were held Saturday, October 26, with 9:30 a.m. Prayers to 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard. Interment followed at Assumption Cemetery, Wheaton.
In lieu of flowers, Masses are preferred.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
PHILLIP L. DVORAK
Phillip L. Dvorak, of Lombard, formerly of Villa Park, passed away on Oct. 23, 2019, at the age of 82. Beloved husband of the late Louise. Loving father of Karen (Fred) Unverzagt, Michael (Maureen), Kristen (Bill) Unverzagt, Mark (Sherry) and Matthew (Linda) Dvorak. Cherished grandfather of Annie (Austin), Nora (Abraham), Eric, Mitchell (Elizabeth), Andy (Tammy), Katlyn, Allison, William, Bryan, Tori, Adam and Sarah. Great grandfather of Luke, Liam and Raidyn. Dearest son of the late Joseph and Lillian Dvorak and stepson of Dorothy Dvorak. Funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 28, at Steuerle Funeral Home 350 So. Ardmore Ave. Villa Park. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. For information, call 1-630-832-4161.
DEBORAH LYNN HASTINGS
Deborah Lynn Hastings, age 48, of St. Charles, and formerly of Villa Park (Willowbrook H.S. Class of 1988).
After proudly working in various local Walgreens Pharmacies for 25 years, she retired to a grueling five-year battle with colon cancer, which ultimately took her life.
She is survived by a loving son, Alex Juliano; her father, Don Hastings; her brothers, Scot Hastings (Deb) of Phoenix, Arizona; Steve Hastings (Laura) of Jacksonville, North Carolina; uncles, aunts and many other dear friends/family.
We cordially invite all family/friends to a “Celebration of Deb’s Life” to be held Nov. 7, 2019, at 5 p.m. at the Villa Park VFW Hall, 39 E. St. Charles Road, Villa Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to favorite charities of your choice.
LUANN MARIE JOHNSEN
Luann “Annie” Marie Johnsen (nee Schroeder) passed away on October 9th in Aurora, IL. She was born in 1951 to William and Donna (nee Lacher) Schroeder in Chicago, the fourth of seven children. She grew up in Lombard, and graduated from Glenbard East High School. A decade later, she married Daniel Johnsen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard. The two met while Luann was visiting her sister Susan at school (Southern IL University) and the rest is history! The two built their life together in Montgomery/Oswego. Dan and Lu celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past June!
Luann was a hairdresser in her younger years and had one loyal patron for decades to come. She became a homemaker and stay-at-home mom with three “rugrats” in her charge, each a little more rambunctious than the last. When her kids were older, she went on to work with more “kids” as a bus monitor for Oswego District 308, where she remained until retirement.
Lu was an unconventional woman. She always said what she meant and lived her life exactly the way she wanted, without apology. She gave grief and loved fiercely. Lu was sassy and bold; she was stubborn and she was salt of the earth. She was the epitome of outgoing and never met a stranger! Family road trips (especially multi-state excursions out west: Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming), cross-stitching blankets for her great nieces and nephews and being the family weather-spotter were a few of her passions: She always would call her out of state relatives letting them know what storm was headed their way! Luann was thoughtful like that, always thinking of others in her own way.
“Annie” or “Lu” as she was fondly nicknamed, leaves behind her husband Daniel; her children, Jerome Pedersen, Rebecca (Kevin) Barred, Scott Johnsen & Clayton Johnsen; her grandchildren, Zachary Pedersen and Wyatt Barred; her mother, Donna Schroeder; her siblings, Bill (Ruth) Schroeder, Steven (Peggy) Schroeder, Janis (Jeff) Enia, Keith Schroeder, Susan (Tim) Schroeder and Mary Przybyl; and her sisters-in-law, Pat Coniglio and Pamela Johnsen, as well as a great many beloved nieces and nephews.
Luann is preceded in death by her father, William Schroeder; her grandparents, Longinus “Bud” & Bertha “Bertie” Lacher and William & Stephanie Schroeder; her mother- and father-in-law, Roland and Twylia Johnsen; her nephew, Mikey Schroeder; and her son, Danny Jr.
A memorial Mass for Luann will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard IL) on Saturday, Nov 2, at 10 a.m.
GUS KARANTZIS
Gus Karantzis, age 83, of Lombard, died Oct. 25, 2019, at his home.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, at at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Warrenville. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Glen Ellyn.
Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for more information.
MELVIN J. SCHULTZ
Melvin J. Schultz, age 92, of Schaumburg, formerly of Northbrook and Maywood, died Oct. 20, 2019 at Sunrise of Schaumburg.
Graveside services were held at North Northfield Cemetery, Northbrook.
Arrangements were made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.
