Tri-Cities Death Notices: A Geneva Streets Superintendent, A Pioneering Civil Engineeer, Owner of Ray's Evergreen Tap and Many Other Remarkable People

From Patch Readers

• John Blair Johnston, 78, of Evanston and formerly of Batavia passed away July 17, 2013, at Evanston Hospital. He graduated from Batavia High School in 1953 and Knox College in 1957. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. He married Kenlyn Windisch in Galesburg, IL in 1957, and together they raised their family in Batavia.  She preceded him in death in 1992.   In 1993 he was married to Erika Fischer Bolger in Geneva, IL. Blair and Erika enjoyed 20 years of retirement, travel, and time with family. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 28 at the Medinah Country Club, 6N001Medinah Road in Medinah.

Malone Funeral Home

• Paul E. Suits, 83, was an Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He was a longtime member of Carpenters Union Local 1185 and he loved his work. He was an avid sports fan particularly of the White Sox and Bulls. He loved to play poker and spend some time at the casinos. Paul was very fond of animals especially his dog Vicki. His greatest enjoyment in life, however, was spending time with his family.
• Richard R. “Dick” Triest, 84, of St Charles served his country in the Korean Conflict as a 13th Engineer. He was a volunteer fireman for St. Charles for 20 years. Dick owned and operated Ray’s Evergreen Tavern in Saint Charles for many years. In his free time, he enjoyed many hobbies which included Rolle Bolle at Ray’s, bowling in two leagues – Moline’s and Ray’s, playing on a softball team for Ray’s, Pigeon Flying with St. Charles Pigeon Flying Club, fishing in Canada and Minnesota. 
• William N. “Bill” Strobel, 84, of Geneva was an Army veteran having proudly served his country in the Korean War. He was a bricklayer by trade and was a 35-year member of the Bricklayer’s Union. Bill loved sports and was an avid Chicago sports fan. As a resident of Geneva, Bill was very active with many Geneva sports teams attending games both home and away.
• Percy Raymond Chesley, 90, served his country with honor from 1942-1945 in the armed forces during World War II overseas in Europe and North Africa. He worked at Ben & Lou’s Garage as a mechanic from 1945-1971, then became employed by the city of Geneva and retired as the superintendent of streets and walks in 1986. He was a friend to all, always providing a nod and smile, opening his heart and home to company.
• Edith M (Betty) (Read) Wilson, 91, died Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Rosewood Care Center of St. Charles. Born July 25, 1921, in Troy Grove, the daughter of John and Mable Rempfer. Betty graduated from Maple Park High School in 1939. Betty married Donald Read Sr. (deceased) on November 9, 1942. The two of them loved to go dancing at Long’s Barn and the Blue Moon. She attended Elgin Beauty College and owned her own beauty shop in their home for many years. She was a member of the Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles. She was active in the Young Mother’s Club and numerous school activities involving her children. She worked at the Way Side Cross Mission in Aurora as supervisor of the women’s division. While there she met her second husband Richard Wilson (deceased). She was a long time resident of Heritage Woods in Batavia. She lived her entire life in the Fox Valley Area.
  

Yurs Funeral Homes

• Neil Kenneth Olson, 81, joined the United States Air Force just out of high school and played trombone in the band. He held on to this interest throughout the remainder of his life, adding the string bass, and electric bass to his repertoire. Neil played in many bands and orchestras. He worked at several different companies, successfully honing and applying his skills in the business world. Most notably, he worked for Fermilab and the city of Batavia from which he retired after many years of work. He was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles and ws proud of his 50-year membership with the American Legion, being an active member of the American Legion Post 75 in Geneva. Neil was extremely proud of his Swedish heritage, displaying this as a member of Vasa Park and Viljan Lodge 349.
• Edith M (Betty) (Read) Wilson, 91, loved to go dancing at Long’s Barn and the Blue Moon with her husband, Donald Read Sr. (deceased). She attended Elgin Beauty College and owned her own beauty shop in their home for many years. She was a member of the Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles and later worked at the Wayside Cross Mission in Aurora as supervisor of the women’s division. While there she met her second husband Richard Wilson (deceased). She was a long time resident of Heritage Woods in Batavia.
• Kenneth J Kowalski's visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. July 23 at Yurs Funeral Home of Geneva. Burial will be private.
• Claus E. Kage Jr., 77, of St. Charles was employed by Lechner Inc. for 20 years before his retirement. He is survived by his wife Carol of 55 years four children and six grandchildren. Private Services will be held at a later date. 

Moss Funeral Homes

• Reva A. Deaville, 90, of Batavia, was a member of the Church of Christ in Hennessey. She loved to quilt, play cards and games and being with friends and family.
• Karen J. Land, 66, of Batavia enjoyed almost 30 years working in the civil engineering field.  She was part of the city of Naperville engineering staff during the 1970a and was one of the few women doing field work.  During her semi-retirement Karen worked at Waubonsee Community College as a part time computer technician, a job she truly enjoyed. Proud of her Métis (Northern Cree/French Canadian) heritage; she volunteered for many years for the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures.
• William Ansel Roessler, 89, proudly served his country as a member of the Army Air Corps. He worked for the Association of Mill & Elevator Mutual Insurance Companies (The Mill Mutuals), first as an engineer and later as general manager. In 1970, he started an employment agency for insurance personnel, The Insurance Register, where he served as president. Later in life, he enjoyed bicycling, gardening, walking, and spending time with his family.
• Marian J. Duever, of Batavia was born July 29, 1919, in Chicago, and was united in marriage to William J. Duever on June 15, 1940. She is survived by a daughter, three sons and eight grandchildren.
• Elvin W. Krenz, 85, of Geneva served his country in the U.S. Army 23rd Infantry from 1946-1947. He graduated from Chicago Technical College in 1952 with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked as a licensed engineer for 30 years with International Harvester. He had numerous hobbies, including woodworking, winemaking, and gardening.
• Lois K. Jurow, 86, of St. Charles loved being a volunteer. She was president of the Third District of Women’s Clubs, volunteered with St. James Hospital’s Women ‘s Auxiliary at at Delnor Hospital and the Philanthropic Educational Organization. She was a member of the Calumet and Fox Valley Sail and Power Squadrons, and was a noted as an accomplished party planner. A special time with her grandchildren was had each year when Lois and Ed would let them help plan a three-week trip and then took them on it during their summer vacations.

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