Vena C. McCarthy, 83, former brewery employee
Vena C. McCarthy (nee Carter), a Riverside resident who worked as an administrative assistant for a brewery prior to her retirement, died Jan. 25, 2005 at Foster G. McGaw Hospital at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. She was 83 years old.
Born in Slickford, Ky. on July 27, 1921 to Edmond and Gertie Carter, she later married John P. McCarthy, who survives his wife.
Ms. McCarthy is also survived by her daughter, Patrice (Joseph) Kastner; her sons, Shawn (Una) McCarthy and Brian McCarthy; her grandchildren, Jennifer Kastner, Scott Kastner, Kelly Kastner, Megan McCarthy and Patrick McCarthy; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Jan. 29 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Rev. Robert E. McLaughlin, 64, former Mater Christi associate
Rev. Robert E. McLaughlin, pastor of Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge, former pastor of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, and former rector of Niles College Seminary of the Archdiocese of Chicago, died Jan. 24, 2005 of complications from an apparent heart attack at the age of 64.
Born on Chicago’s West Side on Aug. 2, 1940, McLaughlin was raised as a member of St. Francis of Rome Parish in Cicero and graduated from St. Francis of Rome School. He began his studies for the priesthood at Quigley Seminary North, and completed those studies at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. McLaughlin was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago on April 26, 1966.
McLaughlin began his ministry at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral. During the period of time he served at the Cathedral as an associate pastor (1966-1976), he also taught religion and communications to high school seminary students at Quigley Seminary North and pursued graduate studies at Northwestern University in communication studies.
McLaughlin subsequently served as the associate pastor at Mater Christi Parish in North Riverside (1976-1981) and as pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Chicago (1981-84) before his appointment in 1984 as rector-president of Niles College of Loyola University, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s college level seminary.
During his years at Niles College (1984-89), McLaughlin pursued graduate studies in community and organizational development at Loyola University of Chicago.
From January 1990 until January 2002, Fr. McLaughlin served as pastor of Holy Name Cathedral. During his tenure as pastor there, Holy Name Cathedral was the site of the funeral of one Chicago archbishop, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, and the installation of another, Francis Cardinal George.
Since July of 2002 and until the time of his death, McLaughlin served as pastor of Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish, in Park Ridge.
McLaughlin earned numerous advanced degrees: he received a licentiate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in 1966, a master of arts from Northwestern University in 1971 and a second master of arts from Loyola University in 1987.
McLaughlin was well-known for his service to Chicago priests. He served as the vice-president of the Presbyteral Senate, as the chairman of the Association of Chicago Priests (1974-76) and served two terms (1983-87; 1995-99) as a part-time member of the Diocesan Priest Personnel Board.
McLaughlin is survived by two of his brothers, John McLaughlin and the Rev. Edward J. McLaughlin, pastor emeritus of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated on Jan. 29 at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Church, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Florence Parr, 81, Western Electric employee
Florence Parr, 81, a Grand Rapids, Mich. resident who formerly lived in North Riverside, died Jan. 26, 2005 at the Rest Haven Home in Michigan.
Ms. Parr worked for over 30 years as a secretary at the Western Electric Company in Cicero prior to her retirement. She was a member of the Woodside Bible Chapel in Maywood.
She is survived by her cousins, Shirley (the late Tom) Bendelow of North Riverside and Henry (Joy) Parr; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Helen (the late Louis) Rosetto.
A funeral service was held Feb. 1 at Kuratko Funeral Home, North Riverside, followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Woodside Bible Chapel, 621 N. First Ave., Maywood, Ill. 60153.
Stephan Siegler, 88, worked at ElectroMotive, RBHS
Stephan Siegler, 88, a lifelong resident of the area, died Jan. 30, 2005 at his home in Lyons.
Born in 1916, Mr. Siegler grew up in Brookfield, graduating from Lincoln Elementary School in 1930 and lived in the village until 1941. That same year, on Nov. 29, he married Marion Concialdi at the Brookfield Baptist Church.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and the Sieglers moved to Lyons after the war.
From 1946 to 1978, he worked as a foreman at the ElectroMotive plant in McCook. Retiring after 32 years there, he worked for 10 years (from 1978-88) as a custodian at Riverside-Brookfield High School.
In addition, Mr. Siegler was an active member of the Brookfield Baptist Church. He served as a church trustee and church deacon, and was also a Sunday School teacher. He also enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening.
Mr. Siegler is survived by his wife, Marion; his son, Garret (Eileen) Siegler; his daughter, Darlene (Tom) Garoza; his brother, Emmanuel Siegler; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home Ltd., 3845-47 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. A funeral service will be held at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., followed by interment in Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oakbrook Terrace.
Joan Sovereign, 76, North Riverside homemaker
Joan Sovereign (nee Barry), a 42-resident of North Riverside, died Jan. 28, 2005 at her North Riverside home. She was 76 years old.
She married David W. Sovereign on Aug. 22, 1967 at the Kane County Courthouse, and the couple settled in North Riverside. A homemaker, Ms. Sovereign was a member of the Veterans Post 6869 VFW Auxiliary in North Riverside, and she enjoyed bowling.
She is survived by her husband; her daughter, Joan Anderson; her stepson, Stephen (Deborah) Sovereign; her brother, John Barry; and her grandchildren, Melissa Anderson, Jeremy Sovereign and Jordan Sovereign.
A funeral service was held Jan. 31 at Johnson Funeral Home Ltd. in Brookfield, followed by interment in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Memorial donations were appreciated to the American Cancer Society.
