John Bonis, 95, Locomotive tester
John Bonis, 95, a resident of Brookfield, died Feb. 9, 2009 at the Scottish Home in North Riverside.
Mr. Bonis was born in Gary, Ind., on Nov. 29, 1913 to Pietro Valentino and Teresa (nee Garino) Bonis. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and worked at General Motors’ Electro-Motive plant in McCook as a locomotive tester prior to retirement. He was also a member of the St. Louise de Marillac Friendship Club.
Mr. Bonis was preceded in death by his wife, Emelia V. Bonis (nee Farrara). He is survived by his children, Jacalyn (Gerald) Posluszny, Valerie Bonis, Mary Ellen (Dennis) Candlish and Daniel Bonis; six grandchildren; and his sisters, Dorothy Bonis and Rose Mary (Raymond) Niles.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 12 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in LaGrange Park, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to Vitas Hospice, 580 Waters Edge, Lombard, Ill. 60148 or The Scottish Home, 2800 Desplaines Ave., North Riverside, Ill. 60546.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Paul D. LeClere, 67, Former Brookfield trustee
Longtime Brookfield resident Paul D. LeClere, 67, died Feb. 16, 2009 at Hines VA Hospital.
Mr. LeClere served in the U.S. Army from 1960-62 and worked for 40 years as a fireman and switchman for the Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring in 2002. He was a member and former president of United Transportation Union Local 620, and a life member of the Loyal Order of Moose (former Brookfield Lodge 1599).
He married Betty M. Heavrin on Aug. 28, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in Lyons; the couple moved to Brookfield in 1970 and raised two children. Mr. LeClere also became very involved in civic and political organizations in the village.
He was a charter member and former secretary of the Brookfield Jaycees and former member of the People’s Economy Party (PEP). In February 1976, he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as village clerk, and in September of that same year was appointed to fill an unexpired term as a trustee on the village board, where he served until April 1977.
Ten years later, in 1987, he was elected to a four-year term as a trustee on the village board and won reelection in 1991. He was also known as an ardent Chicago White Sox baseball fan.
Mr. LeClere was preceded in death by his father, James Arden LeClere, and his brother, Richard LeClere.
He is survived by his wife, Betty M. LeClere; his son, David (Dawn) LeClere; his daughter, April (Michael) Tralewski; his grandchildren, Kaylee LeClere and Emily Tralewski; his mother, Alberta (the late Alfred) LeClere Ulschmidt; and his siblings, Joanne, Robert, Bruce and Howard LeClere.
A funeral service was held Feb. 21 at Johnson Funeral Home, Brookfield, followed by interment at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Hodgkins.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to Brookfield Relay for Life, c/o American Cancer Society, Attn: Adam Wilt, 7234 Ogden Ave., Riverside, Ill. 60546.
Johnson Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Helen L. Malecki, 84, LaGrange Hospital retiree
Helen Louise Malecki (nee Calkin), a resident of Riverside, died Feb. 12, 2009 at the age of 84.
Ms. Malecki worked for many years as a medical accountant at LaGrange Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the LaGrange Hospital Club and the Western Springs Seniors Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Malecki, and her brother, Ralph (the late Betty) Calkin.
She is survived by her children, James E. Malecki, John A. (Linda) Malecki and Judy A. (Alan) Booton; her grandchildren, Christine (Rolly) Landeros, Tracy (James) Lee, Aaron Booton, Jay Malecki, Laura Malecki, Bradley (Stephanie) Booton and Thomas Booton; and four great grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Feb. 21 at Riverside Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions were appreciated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 4527, New York, N.Y. 10163.
Arrangements were handled by Riverside Funeral Directors, Brian D. Kuratko, director.