Joseph C. Mitchell, 81,
former NR village trusteeJoseph C. Mitchell, 81, a North Riverside resident who served the village in a variety of capacities over a long period of time, died May 13, 2005 at Hines V.A. Hospital.
Mr. Mitchell, a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps was active in local village politics, serving as a village trustee from 1985 to 1989. In 1989 he made a run at the mayor’s office, losing to Richard Scheck, who has served as the village’s mayor ever since. One of the men on Mr. Mitchell’s slate, Guy Belmonte, won election as a trustee that year and is now the village administrator for North Riverside.
After losing the mayoral race, Mitchell was named to a pair of committees by Mr. Scheck, serving as chairman of the 911 Committee and the Newsletter Committee. While the Newsletter Committee was later dissolved, Mr. Mitchell continued to serve as chair of the 911 Committee until his death.
Mr. Mitchell also served as a block captain and chairman for the local United Way campaign. In addition, he was a member of the Riverside Township Lions Club, VFW Post #6869 and was coach and general manager with the North Riverside Little League and a volunteer for the Special Olympics.
Active at Mater Christi Church, Mr. Mitchell was a member of the parish’s Holy Name Society and a member of the parish’s finance committee. He was self-employed as a manufacturer’s representative.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Alice; his sons, Dale (Lynn) and Richard (Anne Marie); and his grandchildren, Nicole, Kyle, Brittany and Tyler.
A funeral Mass was celebrated May 16 at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside, followed by interment in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the Mater Christi Building Fund, 2401 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside, Ill. 60546.
Kuratko Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.Arthur A. Schuth, 91, noted for service to others
Arthur August Schuth, 91, a resident of Brookfield and former Berwyn resident, died May 13, 2005 at the British Home in Brookfield.
Born Jan. 20, 1914 in Westchester to Henry and Josephine (nee Clemens) Schuth, Mr. Schuth served in the U.S. Army during World War II, including a two-year stint in Italy. After the war he worked at the Western Electric Company in Cicero, retiring after 37 years there.
Mr. Schuth was also noted for service to others, winning honorary membership to the Brookfield-LaGrange Park Lions Club and designated a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Lions Club International Foundation. The designation is the highest honor given to an individual who adheres to the Lions’ motto “We Serve.”
He also received the Six Star Gold Book Society Plaque from the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, which is given in recognition for contributions of $100,000.
Funeral services were private. Interment was in Oakridge Cemetery, Hillside.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Sharon M. Steinke, 39,
administrative assistant
Sharon Mary Steinke (nee McDonald), 39, a Brookfield resident who worked as an administrative assistant at Ace Hardware’s corporate headquarters in Oakbrook, died May 10, 2005 when she was accidentally struck by a train at Prairie Avenue and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad tracks.
Ms. Steinke was born in Oak Lawn on Dec. 22, 1965. She attended high school in that town and later graduated from Illinois State University in Bloomington. On April 5, 2004, Ms. Steinke married Michael Steinke, whom she met as a tenant in one of his Brookfield apartment buildings. Ms. Steinke was a U.S. Army veteran, an avid reader and also loved to do crossword puzzles.
She is also survived by her father and step-mother, John and Rita McDonald; her mother, Dolores Zehner of Lockport; her brothers, Allan (Greta) McDonald, Dennis McDonald and Daren (Carol) McDonald; her sister, Debra McDonald; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Brian McDonald.
A funeral service, officiated by the Rev. David W. Steinke, was held May 14 at Hitzeman Funeral Home in Brookfield, followed by cremation at Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to a favorite charity.
Anthony Volpe, 92,
Riverside resident
Anthony Volpe, 92, a resident of Riverside, died May 11, 2005 at Foster G. McGaw Hospital on the campus of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
Mr. Volpe, a local business owner, was born in Chicago on Feb. 16, 1913 to Santo and Antonia Volpe. He was married to Lena Volpe, who preceded her husband in death. Also preceding Mr. Volpe in death were his parents and his brother, Dominic (Jenny) Volpe.
He is survived by his daughter, MaryJane (John) Stevens of Riverside; four grandchildren, Kathleen Nuding, John A. Stevens, MaryLee Kral and Joseph Stevens; four great grandchildren, Carl Stevens, Stephanie Stevens, Heather Frank and Mark F. Kral; and his brothers, Frank (the late Mary) Volpe and Angelo “Paul” (the late Dorothy) Volpe.
A memorial service was held May 14 at Hitzeman Funeral Home in Brookfield, followed by a private burial.
