Susan Penrod Villapiano, 55
Susan Penrod Villapiano, 55, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. By her side were her best friend and husband Phil, the love of her life, her son Michael, her sister Mary, her brother Bob and her stepchildren Philip and Andrea.
Born in Champaign-Urbana, Susan attended York Community High School in Elmhurst, where she graduated in 1979. After high school, she went on to the University of Illinois where she earned her BS in marketing, followed by earning her MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago. Soon after college, Susan moved to New York, where she was a former corporate finance professional and CFO of a Fortune 500 company. After meeting and marrying Phil, she moved to New Jersey. She resided in Ocean Township before moving to Rumson.
Susan was very active in every aspect of Michael’s life as well as the community in which she lived. She was a community volunteer at Holy Cross Church. She served on The Advisory Board for the NJ Commission on Cancer Research, the Board for the Mercy Center of Asbury Park with its Sisters Academy of NJ, the Foundation to Save the Jersey Shore after Hurricane Sandy and the Rumson Education Foundation. In addition, Susan created the Rumson PTO Curriculum Enhancement Liaison Program for Rumson Elementary schools. Susan was honored last spring at the Beauty Ball 2016 sponsored by the Beauty Foundation for Cancer Care. That evening, she received the Peter Criss Courage Award. In addition to all this, she chased two beagles Yankee and Nestle around the streets of Rumson for a decade.
Susan was predeceased by her grandparents, Robert A. and Lillian Reidel and Margaret A. Winn and Charles E. Penrod; her in-laws, Dorothy and Augustus Villapiano. Susan is survived by her husband Phil, son Michael, stepdaughter Andrea (Jim), stepson Philip (Laura). Other survivors include her parents Bob and Judy Penrod of Verona, Wisc.; a sister Mary Penrod (Rob Ruggerio) of Paoli, Penn.; brother Bob Penrod (Kristen) of Plano, Texas; brothers-in-law Gus Villapiano (Lauren) of Oakhurst and John Villapiano (Sharon) of Long Branch; a sister-in-law Carolee Villapiano of Oakhurst; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Nov. 28 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson, N.J. Interment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations made to The Mercy Center-Sisters Academy, 1106 Main Street, Asbury Park, N.J. 07712 would be appreciated. Arrangements provided by Buckley Funeral Home, Asbury Park, N.J. For more information, call 732-775-2455 or visit Buckleyfuneralhome.net, where condolences to the family can be expressed.
Evelyn S. Witt, 98
Evelyn S. Witt nee Smith, formerly of Elmhurst, passed away recently at the age of 98. Beloved wife of the late Jack A.; loving mother of Barbara A. Kuhr and Jack R. (Sara); grandmother of Kimberly (Geoffrey) White and Christopher (Tonya), Pastor Rick C. (Ramona) and Nick (Lydia) Kuhr; great grandmother of 22. Evelyn was a member of the Villa Park Eastern Star and former member of Elmhurst Presbyterian Church. Visitation was held at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Rd., on Thursday, Dec. 1. Interment Private Elm Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. Call (630) 834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com for more information.
Robert John Peters, 91
Robert John Peters, of Elmhurst, passed away recently at the age of 91. Beloved husband of Rosemarie T. Peters, nee Pusateri; loving father Mary Jo (Charles Madick) Peters, Janet (Robert) Kremer, James Robert (Elizabeth Woods) Peters and John Joseph (Mary) Peters; proud grandfather of Kathryn (Steven Walsh) Peters, Sarah, Megan, Elizabeth, Jacob, Kristin Kremer, Dana Kremer and David; honored great grandfather of James Patrick Walsh; brother of the late Lucille and Ronald; son of the late John and Clara (nee Kielma) Piotrowski. Bob was 3rd in his class at Carl Schurz HS, and a member of Schurz’s ROTC Picked Platoon, and served in the Navy in WWII in Hawaii. A 4th Degree and life member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a great supporter of Native American charities. Bob put his family first in all things. He loved bowling, polka and woodworking. Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, at Visitation Church. Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Memorials will be appreciated for the St. Labre Indian School, E Tongue River Road, Ashland, MT 59003. Arrangements provided by Ahlgrim Funeral Home. Call (630) 834-3515 or visit ahlgrim.com for more information.
