CRAIG ANTHONY BIRDWELL
Craig Anthony Birdwell, 38, passed away in the early morning hours of January 14, 2021 after complications from the Sugar Toxin that led to a career long battle with the infamous criminal known as Type 1 Diabetes. Civilians will recognize him as Rockman and thank him for his years of rocking out and making people laugh.
His family only knew him as a musician, an electric spark that could fill a room with a smile that was infectious and a style all his own. Craig was known for his entertaining stories that were usually wildly inappropriate and his abundance of useless knowledge.
He is survived by his father Robert Birdwell; wife Valerie Kast-Birdwell (separated); stepdaughter Shirley Eisele and daughters Beverly and Payton Birdwell, who will grow up to avenge their fathers untimely demise! He is also survived by brothers Chris (Lauren) Birdwell, Jeff (Annunziata) Birdwell, Jon (fianceé Sabrina) Birdwell; nieces and nephews, Nathan, Lucian, Jayden, Godric, Sophia, Athena, Dexter.
Instead of the traditional services, his family will be hosting a Celebration of Life Memorial on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 to begin at 7 p.m. through 12 midnight at Indian Lakes Hotel, 250 W. Schick Rd. in Bloomingdale. Arrangements provided by Steuerle-Knollcrest Funeral Home.
BETTY JEAN BOBOLIA
Betty Jean Bobolia, née McCoskey, of Lombard, passed away recently at the age of 90. Beloved wife of 68 years to Paul Bobolia; cherished mother of Linda (Tim) Halleckson, Karen (Richard) Berger, Mary (Dan) Coco, Barbara (Harold) Cazaubon, and Lisa (Sean) Kerns. Devoted grandmother of Stephanie (Mike) Gorecki, Stacey Berger, Corinne (Sarah) Berger-Clark, Tony Coco, Hannah (James) Garriga, and Stephanie Coco. Fond Great-Grandma of Theo and Gwen Gorecki. Big sister to Pat (the late Mary) McCoskey and Donald (Carole) McCoskey, and Aunt to many.
Betty was born and raised in New York where she graduated from Cochran School of Nursing and began a nursing career. After finding her soulmate Paul, the newlyweds relocated to the Midwest where they raised their family of five daughters. After a number of years, Betty resumed her nursing career at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital where she worked until retirement. After that, she remained a familiar face around the hospital as a dedicated volunteer.
Betty will always be remembered for her kind nature, fun loving spirit, great love for her family, and her famous potato casserole which nobody has been able to duplicate. She is already missed but she has left us with a treasure trove of amazing memories.
Memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org, are appreciated. Mass and interment private. For info 630-932-1500 or www.knollcrest.net
HELEN GODZICKI
Helen Godzicki, of Villa Park, passed away recently at the age of 101. Beloved wife of the late Frank Godzicki; loving mother of Dorothy Longo, Martin (Shirl) Godzicki, Michael (Denise) Godzicki, Matthew (Jackie) Godzicki; grandmother of nine, great-grandmother of 13; great-great grandmother of two; fond sister of six; Aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Visitation Thursday, Feb. 4, from 3-8 p.m. at Steuerle Funeral Home, 350 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park.
Funeral to be held Friday, Feb. 5 at 9:45 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison, Lombard, for Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Steuerle-Knollcrest Funeral Home.
LORETTA M. GOLAN
Loretta M. Golan, age 95, of Lombard, formerly of Cicero and Stickney, passed away on Jan. 25, 2021, at Beacon Hill.
Funeral Services were held from Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard, to Mass at Christ the King Church, 1501 S. Main St. Entombment followed at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice, Ill.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094.
JAMES T. HOOPER
James T. Hooper, age 91, of Villa Park, passed away on January 25, 2021.
Loving husband of Connie Hooper, nee Fetrow; loving father of Madeline Hooper and Jo-Ann Hooper; fond brother of the late Betty Mack and the late Bill Hooper; he will be greatly missed by his furry child Frankie.
Services and interment private. For more information: 630-932-1500 or www.knollcrest.net.
PAULA THERESE VICTOR MAAS
Paula Therese Victor Maas of Lombard passed away peacefully Monday, January 25, 2021. Paula was born September 5, 1928, to Katherine and Stephen Paul Victor, I, of Glen Ellyn. She was a graduate of St. Petronille School and Glenbard High School. She married the love of her life, Bernard Maas, on August 26, 1950. They were married 51 years until Bernie’s death in 2001. Together, they raised eight children.
Paula was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Church. She sang in the choir in her younger years, did sacristy work and made baptismal bibs. Paula was very artistic and when her youngest children were little, she painted sets and scenery for the Lombard Park Players. Paula was born in Glen Ellyn and had lived in Lombard since 1950. She started working outside of the home in the mid-1970s, first at Wieboldt’s Department Store in Yorktown, and then at Jewel Foods in Lombard. Paula loved to travel; she and Bernie took may trips to the national parks with their son John and his family; to Barcelona, Spain, to visit their son Joe and his family; to San Diego to visit their daughter Ruth and her family; to northern Wisconsin to visit their daughter Therese and her family; and to Maryland to visit her niece Katie Morvay and her family.
Paula is survived by her children: Mary (Ronald) Jaffe of Carol Stream, Joseph (Roser) of Barcelona, Spain, Ruth Hughes of El Cajon, California, Barbara Brown of St. Charles, Paula Heise of Lombard, John (Ann) of Kasson, Minnesota, Therese (Leonard) Safford of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, and Jimmy (Christina) of Lombard; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; her brother Stephen Paul Victor II, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bernie; her parents; her sisters Betty Kammerer, Virginia Kalck and Mary Barbick; her sister-in-law Kay Victor; her sons-in-law Robert Brown, Bob Heise and Bob Hughes.
Funeral Mass was held Monday, Feb. 1, at Sacred Heart Church, 114 S. Elizabeth Street, Lombard.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094.
LIRIKA SAMSURI
Lirika Samsuri, nee Sidheri, of Lombard, passed away on Jan. 27, 2021, at the age of 84.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, Jan. 30, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery, Glen Ellyn.
Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094.
