JOHN ANTHONY DECICCO Sr.
John Anthony DeCicco Sr., of Marco Island, Florida, formerly of Coral Springs, Florida, and Lombard, Illinois, passed away on May 7, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was 85.
John was born on Nov. 5, 1936 in Chicago to first generation Italian American parents John DeCicco and Dorothy (Assunta) DeCicco nee Gerardi.
He was the beloved husband of Lesley DeCicco, nee Lerner; caring brother of Carole DeCicco-Medor; friend to former wife Patricia DeCicco nee Starnes-O’Rell; loving father of the late John Anthony Jr., Frank Sr. (Kathleen), Diana (the late Bartolo) DeCicco-Gianfortune, Daniel Sr. (Eileen), Joseph (Leah), Laura DeCicco-Castellon, Jason (Ivy) Pomeroy, Rainia (Joe Ault) Pomeroy, Marni Mangel (Jarrett); kind grandfather of John Anthony III (Rhonda), Nicol (Graham), Frank Jr. (Allison), Diana (Eric), Jennifer (Ernesto Sr.), the late Nicholas, Bartolo (Silvia), Nicholas (Ashlee), Anthony John, Daniel Jr. (Bonnie), Jade (Spencer), Michael, John James, Patrick, Kayla, Christopher, Jack, Tyler, Alex, Amanda, Max, Evan, Karsyn, Owen, Griffin; loving great grandfather of John Anthony IV, Kailyn, Grace, Avery, Gabriella, Carmella, Caden, Ernesto Jr., Antonio, Isabel, Dante, Julian, Rocco; dear uncle of Alex (Nancy) Medor, Anna Brandonisio, Paul Medor, great uncle of Dominick (Traci), Eric, Lauren (Kyle), Samuel, Eliza; and a loving cousin to many, many more.
John was a child of Chicago’s old west-side raised in the war years (WWII) and from that time his work ethic and appreciation of life’s simple things was entrenched. He found his calling in the Chicago Construction Industry where he owned his own company for 25 years and was one of Chicago’s primary subcontractors of garage doors to hundreds of Chicagoland suburban subdivisions built in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. His stature in his industry was legendary as he became a Life Member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago and was the first subcontractor voted into the Inaugural Class of the HBAGC Hall of Fame.
As an early board member of the Residential Construction Employers Council, he was instrumental in helping shape Union and Management relations to foster a decades long prosperity in the suburban Chicago union construction industry.
After the tragic loss of his son John Jr., he left Chicago in the early 1980s and started anew in south Florida. There he became a giant in his industry, capturing similar recognition as a Life Member/Director in the Gold Coast Home Builders Association, again finding success by being a trusted businessman of his word and more importantly through his deeds.
In retirement, Grandpa and Great Grandpa John acquired a reputation as a semi-professional Marco Island pool and beach tour guide to family members and friends. His love for his family and commitment to all he loved was unsurpassed and an example to the generations of his family that adored him.
While a success in business and proudly part of six generations of family members in the construction industry he would most want to be remembered as an always practicing Catholic, a diehard Cubs and Bears fan and a Family First proud Italian American.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the charity of your choice in John’s name or your own and share a hug with a loved one today.
Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, May 19, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard, at 10 a.m. Interment at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Wheaton. Arrangements entrusted to Brust Funeral Home. For more information, please call 888-629-0094.
ELAINE E. SCHWEPPE
Elaine E. Schweppe, née Miller, age 89, of Lombard, died May 15, 2022, at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Elaine was the loving wife of 69 years of Ralph; loving mother of Jeffrey (Laura) of Wisconsin, Julie (John) Sprague of Carol Stream and Randy (Julie) of Georgia; proud grandmother of Brian (Steffanie) Schweppe, Brett Sprague, Melissa (Kyle) Vesta, Kelly Sprague, Carly Schweppe, Caylee Schweppe and the late Christopher Derby; great-grandmother of Cassidy, Madison, Cade, Tatum and Coen; and relative of many.
Elaine was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters.
Elaine was born in Bensenville and graduated from high school there. She was married 1952 and moved to Lombard in 1954. She was married for 69 years to her husband, Ralph. She was a current member of the D.A.R. and a former member of the Lombard Women’s Club and Lombard Rotary-Ann. She was active in the PTA when her children were growing up. She played in several bridge clubs.
Elaine was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Church, where she was active in the Altar Guild and Peace Circle.
The Schweppe family owned Schweppe & Sons Restaurant Supply in Lombard for several generations.
Elaine will be lying-in-state on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 350 E. Madison Street, Lombard. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, Oakbrook Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 West Bryn Mawr – Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631; or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 350 E. Madison St., Lombard, IL 60148, would be appreciated.
Arrangements by Brust Funeral Home. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
JUDITH A. SYMBER
Judith “Judie” A. Symber, age 77, of Lombard, died May 10, 2022.
Judie is survived by her three daughters, Debra (the late Anthony) Lombardo, Jamie (Mike) Browning and Jennifer Baker; dear Nana of Amanda Baker, Douglas Browning, Danielle Browning, the late Joey Lombardo, David Browning, Katie Baker, Kellie Baker and Gianna Lombardo; loving friend of many.
Judie was the lifelong partner of Ray Trede.
Judie loved her family, gardening, watching her grandkids and traveling to the Northwoods with her family. A very strong and independent person, she passed away after having fought a hard battle with cancer. She loved the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.
A Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 3-7 p.m., with a Memorial Service at 5 p.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 are appreciated.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
