Geneva Death Notices: Tom Baketz, Thomas Swanson, Donald Murray and More

Malone Funeral Home

• Thomas “Tom” Baketz, 50, of St. Charles and formerly of Geneva, loved nature and particularly enjoyed hiking, fishing and biking. After being diagnosed with diabetes, Tom became passionate about helping and educating other diabetics, especially children. He volunteered as a counselor at Camp Hertko Hollow, a camp for diabetic children. Tom will be missed by his loyal dogs Dillon and Skiloh and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Yurs Funeral Homes

• Freda M. Parkins, 81, of Cape Coral, FL, is survived by her children, Pam (Bob) Geiken of St. Charles, IL, Roberta Mangum, of Cape Coral, FL, Larry (Linda) Hudgens of Grant Park, IL, Judy(Jerry) Difazzio of St. Charles, IL, and Patricia Fridkin of Tucson, AZ, and 1 step-daughter Karla Child of Amboy, IL, and 1 Sister Mary Herderson of Batavia, IL. Mrs. Parkins had 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.

• Thomas E. Swanson, 90, of St. Charles, served in the U.S. Army during WW ll. Before his retirement he was employed by Burgess Norton in Geneva for more than 40 years.

• Robert Joseph “RJ” Mata, 24, of Chicago, formerly of St. Charles, died unexpectedly Sept. 17, 2013. He was born Nov. 17, 1988 in New Haven, CT, to Robert and Gretchen Mata. RJ completed his Associates Degree from Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago and worked as a sound engineer and stage hand. He loved shooting sports, disc golf and music.

• Donald A. Murray, 67, of Geneva, served in the Air Force during the Viet Nam War. He was formerly employed by the Burlington Northern Railroad. In his spare time he enjoyed all sports especially the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks. He also was an avid Train Collector.

Moss Funeral Homes

• Anne Sykes, 93, of North Aurora, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, IL. She was born Oct. 5, 1919 in Chicago, the daughter of Stanley and Sophie Kielbasa. She was united in marriage to Raymond Sykes.

• Josephine Melgoza, 79, of Batavia, was a well known hairdresser in Batavia. She started her career at Polly Anne Beauty Shop and later operated her own salon from her residence. 

• Eleanor Harriet Mielczarek, 87, of Elgin was employed as a register nurse a various hospital in the Chicago suburbs. She was an active mother who served as the PTO president at the John V. Leigh Elementary School in Norridge, IL.  She was active in her church and sang in the choir.

• Gretchen Barbara Simonson, 96, of the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, IL and formerly of Aurora and Geneva, was employed by Houghton Mifflin Company for 17 years. In her earlier years, she worked at the Oak Park Library for six years. Gretchen was a devout Christian. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader.

• Thomas Lee Matthews, 71, of St. Charles, was always proud of his English and Czech heritage. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and worked for Western Electric/Lucent Technologies for 44 years. While working there, he was “set up” on a blind date with another Western Electric employee, Kathy Kahler Matthews, whom he married in 1968. He was the proud father of daughter Sarah Elizabeth, and baby granddaughter Cirenya Nicole, the apple of his eye.

• Dawne Carroll Kahle, 70, of Batavia graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a bachelor’s degree in Science and worked as a microbiologist for Abbott Laboratories, MWRD, Loyola, West Suburban Hospital and Cargill during her career.  She was a proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.  She was a master leatherworker and a member of the Prairie State Leather Guild for many years.  Dawne was very active in Boy Scouts of America and was a scout recipient of the Burton and Silver-Beaver awards.

Patch Funeral Home Guide

Are you looking for more information about Tri-Cities funeral homes and services? Would you care to review the services provided by a local funeral home? Click on the funeral home names to see the Patch Places listing for each business to write a review or learn more about the funeral home.


Batavia

• Moss Family Funeral Home

Geneva

• Malone Funeral Home
• Yurs Funeral Home

St. Charles

• Moss-Norris Funeral Home
• Yurs Funeral Home