Edward Kilarski, 80, Brookfield resident, pump assemblyman
Edward Kilarski, a Brookfield resident, died April 3, 2005 at Foster G. McGaw Hospital on the campus of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. He was 80 years old.
Mr. Kilarski was born on Aug. 3, 1924 to Andrew and Frances Kilarski in Poland. After immigrating to the United States, he married Eleanore, who survives her husband. He worked as a pump assemblyman prior to his retirement.
Mr. Kilarski is also survived by his daughters, Barbara (Peter) Micevic, Joanne (Roger) Van Hoegarden and Kathy (Rick) Navarro of Brookfield; his son, David (Teri) Kilarski; and his sisters-in-law, Helen Setla and Sister Mary Julianne C.R.; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother-in-law, Frank Malinowski.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Church, 1144 Harrison Ave., LaGrange Park, followed by interment in Resurrection Cemetery in Justice.
Masses in his name or memorial contributions to the St. Louise de Marillac Building Fund, 1144 Harrison Ave., LaGrange Park, Ill. 60526 are appreciated.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Betty Kirby, 93, kindergarten teacher, Riverside resident
Betty Kirby, 93, who taught kindergarten in District 96 schools for 26 years, died March 9, 2005 at her Riverside home.
Ms. Kirby moved to Riverside in 1931 while a student at the National College of Education in Evanston. The daughter of a kindergarten teacher, she followed in her mother’s footsteps, initially running her own nursery school and then teaching in the Glencoe school system. Later, while living on the East Coast, she was instrumental in helping the Business and Professional Women and the WPA establish a day nursery in Fredericksburg, Va.
During World War II, she returned to the Chicago area and taught at Hull House’s Demonstration School. Then in the late 1940s, Ms. Kirby became involved in planning Riverside’s new Blythe Park School and was named the first kindergarten teacher when the school opened in 1949.
She taught at Blythe Park for another 11 years, and in 1961 moved to Central School, where she taught kindergarten until her retirement in 1975.
Ms. Kirby was elected to Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society for women teachers, and she was awarded life membership in the Illinois Congress of Parents and Teachers for her years of service. In 1975 she was selected for an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America award.
Ms. Kirby was affectionately remembered by many of her former students, who remained in contact decades later and long after her retirement. She was active in the Christian Science Church and the Riverside chapter of the American Association of University Women, which honored her in 1998 on the organization’s 50th anniversary as a “Woman Who Made a Difference.”
Funeral arrangements were handled by Ivins Funeral Home, Riverside.
Linda Jean Rohmann, 58, Brookfield resident
Linda Jean Rohmann, 58, died March 27, 2005 at her Brookfield home.
Born on Oct. 9, 1946 to Russell R. and Hilda B. (nee Baldacci) Rohmann in Chicago, Ms. Rohmann is survived by her parents and by her sisters, Margaret (Patrick) Kearney and Christine (John) Joniak; her nephews, Dan, Matt, Mike and Dave; her nieces, Beth, Christina, Michelle and Mary; and her uncles, Bruno Baldacci and Peter Baldacci.
A funeral Mass, celebrated by the Rev. Maurice J. Kissane, was held March 29 at St. Barbara Church in Brookfield, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to Oak Leyden Developmental Services, 411 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, Ill. 60302 or Seguin Retarded Citizens Association, 6223 Ogden Ave., Berwyn, Ill. 60402.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Christine M. Schindler, 89, former North Riverside resident
Christine M. Schindler, 89, who lived in North Riverside for 53 years before moving out of the area died March 28, 2005 at her home in Houston, Texas.
Prior to retiring, Ms. Schindler was food service worker at St. John of the Cross School and Riverside-Brookfield High School. She was also active at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside, as a member of the Tabernacle Guild and Ministry of Care. She was also a member of the North Riverside Golden Agers and was devoted to her family.
Ms. Schindler was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph. She is survived by her son, Lee (Jeanette) Schindler; her daughters, Leslie (Ken) Racine and Janet (Jim) Manika; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated April 1 at Mater Christi Church, followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park.
Arrangements were handled by Kuratko Funeral Directors, North Riverside.
Marilyn A. Vrzak, 68, insurance company manager
Marilyn A. Vrzak, 68, a Brookfield resident who worked as a manager at an insurance company, died March 13, 2005 at LaGrange Memorial Hospital.
Ms. Vrzak was born Aug. 30, 1936 to Joseph and Helen (nee Papousek) Vrzak in Berwyn. In addition to her work for the insurance firm, she also was a sculptor, whose work featured dogs and were used for show trophies and gifts.
She is survived by her sister, Helen Schilling of Brookfield; her nephew, Joel (Bonnie) Schilling; her great nephew, Eric Schilling; and her great niece, Katie Schilling.
Funeral services, officiated by the Rev. Ridell Kelsey, were held at Bohemian National Cemetery, where she was buried.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Miniature Schnauzers Rescue, 2404 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, Ill. 60035-1944.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
