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Obituaries Today
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Reverend Gerald J. Meyer, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, priest, and friend, passed away on August 18, 2026, at the age of 93. Born in Chicago on January 2, 1933, Jerry grew up on the city's South Side. He was born to Nicholas and Eleanor Meyer and was the younger brother to his only sibling, Raymond. He attended Quigley and De La Salle High School and studied at St. Mary's University of Winona for 2 years before attending dental school at Loyola University. While in dental school, Jerry met the woman of his dreams at a dance downtown. Catherine Ann Waldman was in the nursing program at Rush Presbyterian St Luke's. They were married in 1956. After marriage and graduation from dental school, Jerry served as Captain and Dentist in the Army Dental Corps, stationed in El Paso, Texas, from
1956-1958. Jerry and Catherine started their family in El Paso, giving birth to their first two daughters, Susan and Cindy. Following his service, the young family set their roots in Des Plaines and continued to build their beautiful family totaling 10 kids, 5 girls and 5 boys. Together they created a home focused on family, faith, and laughter. Jerry opened a dental practice on Graceland Avenue in Des Plaines where he served the broader Des Plaines community. He then relocated his practice to Broadway Street, where he worked until his retirement from dentistry. Jerry's life was one of service. He poured his spirit into caring for his family, his patients, and his community. In 1972, he and his wife Cathy cared for her parents at their house, with her mother diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and father diagnosed with kidney disease. An
ever devoted and active public servant as well, Jerry served as alderman for the 7th Ward of Des Plaines for 8 years and on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Jerry approached his life with a solemn and practical attitude. He dealt with people in a straightforward manner, and he always spoke the truth. He worked hard to educate himself on a myriad of aspects of life, and he was steadfast in his beliefs. He dedicated his entire being to those around him, and he would always go the extra mile to ensure his family was cared for. Whether he was opening his door to a multitude of extended family on the holidays or taking his family of 10 on cross-country trips in an RV, Jerry always prioritized spending quality time with his loved ones. Jerry was a model of steadiness and faith through the turmoil of life. 4 of his 10 children were diagnosed with and
passed away from cystic fibrosis. Patty passed away in 1975 at the age of 12; Cindy passed away in 1979 at 21; Marianne passed away in 1984 at 25; and Jerry Jr. passed away in 1990 at the age of 29. In 1988, his wife Cathy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and she passed away at the age of 54 on December 26th of that same year. Through all of the loss and tribulations that afflicted his life, Jerry's faith and persistence continued to radiate through his actions. His faith actually deepened so much so that he discerned and answered God's call for him to join the priesthood. In 1990, Jerry left his dental practice to his son Jim and applied to the Peoria Diocese for career support. He attended the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia for 4 years, and on May 25th of 1996, Jerry, now known as Fr. Meyer, was ordained a
priest. He was initially assigned as parochial vicar at St. Columba in Ottawa, IL for 2 years, and then was assigned to be the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi for the next 11 years, also in Ottawa, IL. Fr. Meyer retired in 2009 and moved to Mount Prospect, where he assisted with mass for St. Emily's Catholic Church and other neighboring parishes for many years. When Fr. Jerry was not caring to the needs of his community, he loved to golf. He frequently would take his grandkids out on the golf course and patiently teach them the game. He also enjoyed attending his grandkids' sporting events and different performances. He loved to socialize at his favorite breakfast spots and eat out at supper clubs, where he would always have room for an ice cream sundae after dinner. Fr. Jerry was constantly praying for his loved ones, the
world, and for anyone who asked him for prayers. He is lovingly remembered by his children: Susan (Mike) Nelson; Jim (Anne) Meyer; Liz (Jim) Winkler; Paul (Missy) Meyer; Tom (Padra) Meyer; Mike Meyer. He was the beloved grandfather of 24 grandchildren and great-grandfather of 10 great-grandchildren, who were blessed by his leadership, advice, and wisdom. His family will remember him as the patriarch and rock of their lives—a man of tremendous action, faith, and humility. He always led by example and was the definition of consistency in relationships, morality, and devotion. Visitation for Fr. Meyer will be held at St. Emily Catholic Church (1400 East Central Road, Mount. Prospect, IL 60056) on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. An additional visitation will be held prior to the Mass of Christian Burial from 10:00 am to
11:00 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Emily Catholic Church (1400 East Central Road, Mount. Prospect, IL 60056) on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a committal service to immediately follow at All Saints Cemetery, (700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Women's Center of Greater Chicagoland or The St. Vincent de Paul Society.
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Steven Michael Elliott Anderson was born on May 7, 1986, to Lynette Marie (Wood) Anderson and John Arthur Anderson. He grew up in St. Charles, IL, graduating from St. Charles East High School in 2004. He graduated from Augustana College in 2008, the alma mater of his father and uncles
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Mary Lucile Graff of Palatine, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026, at the age of 65, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. She was born on June 21, 1961, to Marion and the late Thomas Huene
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Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa. Ron brought joy to his family and everyone fortunate enough to know him. He lived with a positive outlook on life and had a remarkable gift for making others smile. With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we announce the passing of Ronald Lee Voss, age 90, who has joined his beautiful wife Peggy in Heaven. Ron was born on October 6, 1935 in Freeport, IL. After serving in the Army and graduating from North Central College, he had several jobs in sales before starting Imperial Care of Premises, a landscaping company that was his passion for over 50 years. He is survived by family: children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The family will be celebrating Ron's life on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 10:00am to noon, with a service at 11:30am at Salerno's Funeral Home, 450 W
Lake St, Roselle, Illinois
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Kristin Ann (Rovelstad) Blakslee, 89, of Hammond, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026. She was born in Elgin, Illinois, on December 16, 1936, to Stanley and Agatha Rovelstad
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John was born in Elgin, IL on July 4, 1938 to Lester Lewis and Phyllis Imogene (Taylor) Walters. They moved to Harlingen, TX in 1946 and returned to Elgin in 1950 where he finished Abbot junior high school and then graduated from Elgin High School in 1956. He met and courted Barbara Auble in the summer of 1956. He went to Purdue University, Lafayette, IN, and graduated in 1960 with a major in Chemistry, with distinction. He then attended the University of Illinois, Urbana, and later married Barbara in 1961. He earned his doctorate in Analytical Chemistry in 1964 under the direction of Prof. Howard V. Malmstadt while studying the physical and chemical mechanisms of high-voltage spark discharges that were used for the emission spectrochemical analysis of aluminum and aluminum-based alloys. His first son, John Anthony, was born
in 1963 while he was in graduate school
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Elke Irmlind Simmons, 85, of Addison, passed away May 31, 2026. Beloved wife of the late John Bruce Simmons. Elke was a talented artist, Addison Art Guild member, and German Chorus singer. Devoted mother of Andrew (Dana) Simmons; proud grandmother of Emily, Ethan, and Aidan; dear sister of Ulrike Janthur. Preceded by parents Gerhard and Maria, and sister Ingrid. Celebration of life: Sept. 4, 2-4 pm at Addison Park District, 120 E. Oak St. In lieu of flowers, donations to Dementiasociety.org are appreciated.
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Gloria Ann Nelson (nee Granito), age 92, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois since 1953, passed away August 17, 2026. Born in Chicago February 6, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Lena (nee Laurie) Granito. Gloria found joy in traveling and spending time with her family and friends
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Robert (Bob) Alexander
Robert (Bob) Alexander, 83, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026. He was born to Evelyn and Allen Alexander on November 3, 1942
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July 24, 1927 - Aug. 14, 2026
Some people simply pass through this world, some adorn it. Rosalind Theresa Agnes Reilly was one of the latter. Beloved wife of the late Daniel R. Reilly. Devoted mother of Dan Reilly and Mary Kelly of Denver, Kevin J. Reilly and Sharon Hauck Reilly of Fort Collins, Susan Reilly of Chicago, and Michael "Ike" Reilly and Kara Dean Reilly of Libertyville
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