MICHAEL AGUAYO
Michael Aguayo, age 57, of Lombard, died Feb. 14 at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Brust Funeral Home. Private Interment.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 630-629-0094.
NANCY J. CAVEY
Nancy J. Cavey, née King, age 78, of Villa Park, died February 19, 2023, at Elmhurst Hospital.
Nancy was the loving mother of Lynn (Stephen) Mendak of Chicago, John (Beth) Cavey of Indiana and Diane Cavey of Villa Park; grandmother of Nicholas Cavey of Indiana, Allison Cavey of Indiana, Amanda Mendak of Chicago, Christopher Mendak of Chicago, Ardith (Charles) Thomas of California and Sandra Farris of Oklahoma; and fond aunt of nine.
Nancy had been a resident of Villa Park for 21 years. She had previously lived in Lombard her entire life until she moved to Colorado in 1987 before moving to Villa Park in 2001. Nancy attended Westmore Grace School, Jackson Junior High and graduated from Willowbrook High School in 1962.
Nancy had worked for the State Bank of Lombard. She owned Red Rock Video when she lived in Colorado.
Nancy was an active member at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lombard, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. She was active in the Lombard Women’s League and served as a Sunday School teacher. She was also active at St. John’s Lutheran School.
Nancy enjoyed painting and attending craft fairs.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, March 3, from 12 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 1 PM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln St., Lombard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lighthouse for the Blind, 222 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, IL 60025; Wellness House, 131 N. County Line Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521; or Residential Hospice Care, 855 N Church Ct, Elmhurst, IL 60126 would be appreciated.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 630-629-0094.
DONNA L. HEIMBECKER
Donna L. Heimbecker, née Stelzer, passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on February 14, 2023, at her home in Lombard, IL. Donna was surrounded by her family who loved her deeply and provided care for her in her final weeks.
In 1948 in Chicago, Donna was born to father Anthony and Delores (Agnew), her biological mother who passed away when Donna was young. Anthony would remarry Bernice (Gnass), who raised Donna as her own, along with her dear sister Cathy (Tony).
Donna was the devoted wife to Ernest, whose love started as high school sweethearts and grew throughout their nearly 54 years of marriage. Beloved mother to Michelle (John) and Michael (Talyr), loving Nana to Alyssa, Cody, Tyler, Tia, Angelo, and Carmen, and cherished aunt.
Always a passionate advocate for her patients, Donna’s career in healthcare began in 1969 after graduating from St. Anne’s School of Nursing. She proudly dedicated more than thirty years to nursing, much of that time at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital where she met many colleagues that would go on to become life-long friends.
Donna and Ernie loved to travel and made beautiful memories on their many trips together. Donna will also be remembered for her love of gardening and baking Christmas cookies with her grandchildren.
Per Donna’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service, though family and friends will be notified in the future when a Celebration of Life will be held. In her memory, please consider donating to Residential Home Health Hospice Foundation (Lisle, IL) or a charity of your choice.
ORA NELL KOZMIC
On the sunny morning of February 14th, at 8:23 a.m., Ora Nell Kozmic (Wiginton) passed away at age 85 in her longstanding residence in Lombard, Illinois.
At the age of 19, Nell had embarked on a life-changing journey with her late husband Ralph Earl Mason, Sr., moving from her hometown in Woodsboro, Texas, to Lombard, Illinois, where she soon settled into her house that she fondly referred to as home for the next 60 years.
Preferring a simple life, Nell prioritized her family and enjoyed the arts, nature, and athletics. She crafted immaculate, porcelain dolls, which she treasured to collect and gift to beloved family members. Nell favored both playing and watching women’s basketball, as well as spending time in nature. Cherishing birds, hummingbirds being her favorite, she was an avid gardener, surrounding and filling her home with stunning flowers. Nell’s life was bursting with simple joys and pleasures, which left her happy and fulfilled.
Preceded in death by her parents Zora Hall and John Jerome Wiginton, as well as her siblings Myrtle Marie, Milton Jerome, Winona Myrel, Norma Colleen, Fred Edward, L.Z., Virgel Lee, W.M., and Patsy Joyce.
Nell leaves behind her sister Janie Mae, husband Joseph Kozmic, in addition to her children Ralph “Butch” Earl Mason, Jr., Michael Errol (Dorraine) Mason, and David Allen Mason. Loving Grandmother to Megan (Michael) Napoli, Dirk Albert (Jungsun) Heidecke, Devin Noel Heidecke, Mackenzie Elizabeth Mason, Jason Allen Mason, and the late Justin Alonzo Mason, Ryan John Mason, and Lillian Mason. Dear Great Grandmother to Michael Scott Napoli, Mason Ryan Napoli, and Reiner Leon Heidecke.
Ora Nell was a sweet, southern girl who loved her family.
A Visitation was held on Monday, February 20, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard. Interment will be in Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 West Bryn Mawr-Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 630-629-0094.
JEANNE PARQUETTE
Jeanne Parquette, née St. Germain, 92, of Lombard, Illinois. A teacher for 28 years in Glen Ellyn, Medinah and Elmhurst, Illinois.
Married in 1951 to high school sweetheart Kenneth Parquette for 64 years. Jeanne was a loving mother to Alan (Sharon), Gary (Rebecca), Dale, Mark (Aleks) and the late Duane Parquette. Devoted grandmother of Jessica (Shawn) Fitzpatrick, Wesley (Angie), Gary Jr., Rachael, Jeremy (Neli), Amy (Jonathan). Great grandmother of Addison, Aubree, Deklen, and Zoii, Jackson and Nolan, Ava, Emmeline, Isla, and Ryan.
After Ken’s Navy submarine service in 1952-1954, the family bought a house in Park Forest, a new Chicago suburb. Jeanne was a stay at home mom. In 1965 Ken had a job transfer to St. Cloud, Minnesota. There Jeanne returned to school, graduating in 1967 from St. Cloud State College with a Bachelor of Science degree. Ken was transferred again in 1968 to open a J.C. Penney store in Lombard. Jeanne began teaching fifth grade at Park View School in Glen Ellyn. Jeanne was a charter member of the Glen Ellyn District 89 Education Association, and served as an early treasurer in that group.
In 1983 she earned a Masters Degree in Education from National Louis University. In 1988 Jeanne retired after teaching 20 years at District 89.
Jeanne volunteered as a docent for Stacy’s Tavern Historical Museum in Glen Ellyn. She visited District 89’s third through fifth grades bringing artifacts and a Kentucky long rifle to tell students about early pioneer life in Glen Ellyn.
Kenneth left J.C. Penney in 1979 to go into business with son Gary. In 1982 he bought Old Shady Tree, Inc. where he sold and planted large trees using tree spades. In 1994 Ken retired. Jeanne and Ken purchased a Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle for recreation. They joined the Harley Davidson Chapter 1130 in Villa Park where Ken was the Chapter Secretary from 1995 to 2002.
In 1995 Jeanne pursued an interest in the law at William Rainey Harper College, earning a paralegal certificate in Legal Technology. But the love of teaching won out and Jeanne returned to the classroom as a sixth grade teacher at Medinah Christian School. In 1999 Jeanne began teaching seventh grade Social Studies at Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst. In 2005, after six years at Timothy, Jeanne retired to spend more time with Kenneth at home. She began Good Samaritan Hospital’s Pulmonary Maintenance class twice a week, until 2019. Always interested in learning, Jeanne and Ken attended Mini-med classes at Loyola University in Chicago. Classes were taught by doctors and covered current medical practices and advances such as robotic surgery.
In 2009, Ken and Jeanne participated in Lombard Citizens Police Alumni Association and training classes. From 2009 to 2012 they worked with this volunteer organization assisting the Lombard Police Department during community activities and events, such as the Taste Of Lombard, and Shop With A Cop at Christmas.
On August 16, 2015, Kenneth passed away. His health had been declining with problems related to his heart.
Jeanne continued volunteering as a grader for the Salvation Army, grading Bible correspondence lessons for incarcerated men and women, from 2010 until the present.
Visitation Thursday, February 23, 2023, 3:00 PM until time of service at 7:00 PM, at Knollcrest Chapel, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Interment Private. Funeral info: www.knollcrest.net.
RUTH SCHRAM
Ruth Schram, née Haracz, age 73, of Oak Brook for 17 years, formerly of Morton Grove, passed away on Feb. 16, 2023.
Funeral services will be on held on Feb. 23, with 9:30 a.m. Prayers at Brust Funeral Home, followed by 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Christ the King Church, 1501 Main St., Lombard. Interment will at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 630-629-0094.
