Rose Mary Bartos, past president of VFW Auxiliary
Rose Mary Bartos (nee Vlasak), a Brookfield homemaker who was a past president of the Brookfield VFW Auxiliary Post 2868, died Jan. 5, 2005 at LaGrange Memorial Hospital.
Ms. Bartos was born in Chicago to Joseph and Julia Vlasak, and later married Rudolph Bartos, who preceded his wife in death. She is survived by her sister, Mildred (the late John) Owsianka of Brookfield; her sister-in-law Ellen (the late Edward) Vlasak; and her nephew, Gregory (Ellen) Vlasak. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by her son, Roger Bartos.
A funeral service was held on Jan. 8 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park.
Clarence J. Cervak, 95, chef at Hines Hospital
Clarence J. Cervak, 95, a 50-year Brookfield resident, died Jan. 10, 2005 at Hinsdale Hospital.
Born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1909 to John and Bessie Cervak, Mr. Cervak served as an administrative aide in the U.S. Army’s 8th Air Force’s Medical Corps during World War II. After the war he was the supervisory chef at Hines V.A. Hospital.
He was also active locally as a member of the Brookfield Historical Society. In addition, he was a charter member of St. Louise de Marillac Church and a member of the Berwyn Loyal Order of the Moose. Mr. Cervak was also involved with the National Society of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1771, the Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, American Legion Post 558 and the Hines V.A. Hospital American Legion Post.
He was also formerly involved in scouting and school activities in both Elementary School District 95 and Riverside-Brookfield High School.
Mr. Cervak is survived by his wife, Esther M. Cervak (nee Bast) of Brookfield; his son, Terry (Maribeth) Cervak; two grandchildren, Julie and Sarah Cervak; his sister, Beatrice Phillips; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass, officiated by the Rev. Robert Marchwiany, was celebrated Jan. 14 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to St. Louise de Marillac Church, 1144 Harrison Ave., LaGrange Park, Ill. 60526 or to the Brookfield Historical Society, 8820 Brookfield Ave., Brookfield, Ill. 60513.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Donald G. Christensen, 81, Chicago Tribune treasurer
Donald G. Christensen, 81, a Riverside resident who worked his way up from auditing clerk to treasurer of the Chicago Tribune during his 43-year career at the newspaper company, died Jan. 12, 2005 at his Riverside home.
Mr. Christensen was born in Owosso, Mich., but grew up on Chicago’s South Side, graduating from Calumet High School in 1940. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Walton School of Commerce.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II for four years, joining the service the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, he married Lucille Schwerzler, and returned to the Tribune, where he rose to the post of comptroller and, later, treasurer. Mr. Christensen was active at Riverside Presbyterian Church for 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, Lucille; his sons, Tom (Sue) and Dan Christensen; his daughter, Jane (Mark) Bowers; his brothers, Martin and John Christensen; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Jan. 18 at Riverside Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were handled by Ivins Funeral Home, Riverside.
Bertha A. Marousek, 90, operator at North American Federal
Bertha A. Marousek, 90, a longtime North Riverside resident, died Jan. 8, 2005 at the Eastern Star Home in Macon, Ill.
Born in Forest Park on Oct. 22, 1914 to James F. and Bertha A. Marousek, Ms. Marousek worked as a telephone operator for North American Federal Bank prior to her retirement. She is survived by her brother, James F. (Ethel) Marousek Jr. of North Riverside; her sister, Doris (the late Dr. Jack) Jans and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, William Marousek.
A funeral service, officiated by the Rev. Lydia Kalb, was held on Jan. 13 at Hitzeman Funeral Home in Brookfield, followed by interment in Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Eastern Star Home Fund, One Star Lane, P.O. Box 258, Macon, Ill. 62544.
Mable M. Osberg, 94, former Riverside resident
Longtime Riverside resident Mable Margaret Osberg, 94, died Dec. 25, 2004, in her sleep from complications resulting from Alzheimer’s, which she had been battling for over 10 years.
A resident of the Beverly Hills Carmel North Retirement Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. for the past eight years, she had formerly lived in Naples, Fla. after leaving Riverside.
Ms. Osberg and her late husband, Theodore “Ted” Osberg, were active members of the Riverside community. For many years, the couple operated the Riverside Electric Store on Burlington Street. She was also a member of the Riverside Methodist Church, AAUW, the Riverside Chamber of Commerce and the Riverside Township Lions Club.
She is survived by her son, Tom Osberg; her daughter, Anne Osberg; and one grandson, Chris Osberg.
