Obituary: Fred Ullman an Athlete, Inventor, Civic Volunteer

Fred Ullman grew up on the North Shore, and then returned there after going to UNC Chapel Hill and serving in World War II.

The obituary below comes from Kelly and Spalding Funeral Home. Fred Ullman passed away May 1, 2013, after a long, full and fruitful life. “Uncle Fred” was an athlete, inventor, civic volunteer, executive, cherished friend, mentor, father and husband. Born in Chicago, he lived his first 14 years in Antigo, Wisc. before his family relocated in Highland Park. He graduated from Deerfield Shields High School in 1934 and attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he was a 3 year letter winner on the track team. He graduated in UNC’s last class of Engineering students, with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1938. He served as a Lieutenant in the Navy during WWII, specializing in Naval Ordinance, and married Ann …

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Former Mayor Pays Tribute to Late Cal Tobin

Former Highland Park Mayor Mike Belsky writes about Cal Tobin, a Highland Park Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem who recently passed away.

Highland Park Resident Served in Women's Army Corps

Helen Churchill served in the Women's Army Corps in the United States Army, and was stationed in Berlin, Germany during the occupation after World War II. She died on April 17.

The information below comes from Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home. Helen Churchill of Highland Park, Illinois, passed away on April 17, 2013. She was born on December 23, 1922, in Pocatello, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her brother, Everett; son, Carl; and daughter, Kelly. She is survived by her devoted husband of 60 years, Robert; daughter, Kimberley (Simon) Feuz; son, Kevin (Mary Ann); five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Helen served in the Women's Army Corp, United States Army, and was stationed in Berlin, Germany during the occupation after World War II. She will be missed by all who loved and cherished her association. Helen was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved serving others…

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Obituary: Thomas Bahr Owned Highland Park's Oldest Family Business

Thomas Bahr, who owned Bahr's Greenhouses in Highland Park, died on April 13.

The information below comes from Kelley and Spalding Funeral Home. Thomas Bahr, 78, of Highland Park, passed away April 13, 2013. Beloved husband of Jan; loving father of Tom Jr. (Kathryn); proud grandfather of Thomas III and Angelina. Brother of Jane Bahr Martineau (Pierre). Owner of the oldest family owned business in Highland Park, Bahr’s Greenhouses. Member of Masonic Lodge A. O. Fay Chapter, Highland Park Rotary, and P.E.R. Highland Park B.P.O Elks #1362. A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 4-8 pm at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. Interment Private For information please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com.

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Obituary: Major General William P. Levine

A Highland Park resident, Levine served in the U.S. military and was one of the officers to to help liberate the concentration camp Dachau during World War II. He died on March 29, at age 97.

The information and eulogy below come from Jonathan Plotkin. Major General William P. Levine passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the age of 97.  Loving husband of Rhoda Kreiter Levine and the late Leah Goldberg Levine.  Devoted son of the late Sadie and Joseph Levine, eldest brother of Robert and the late Clarence and Orrin Levine.  Extraordinary father of John (Merril Prager), Maxine (John Souza), Susan Kreiter Margolis (Dr. Fred  Margolis), Shelley Kreiter-Solow (Sheldon Solow), Robin Kreiter Plotkin (Jonathan Plotkin).  Adoring grandfather of David and Adam Margolis, Alison and David Solow, Noah, Oliver, Alexander and Pearl Plotkin.    Born July 1, 1915 in Duluth Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1937.  …

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Roger Ebert Dies at 70

Film critic reviewed movies for 46 years at Chicago Sun Times.

Roger Ebert, a legendary film critic and part of the Siskel and Ebert television show, died Tuesday at 70, according to CNN. Ebert, who wrote approximately 200 reviews a year since 1967 when he became the critic for the Chicago Sun Times, announced in his blog Tuesday he would be reducing his workload, according to CNN. Take a look at the review Ebert and Siskel, who died in 1999, did on “The Shawshank Redemption” and share your own memories.

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Obituary: Former Highland Park High School Coach

James J. “Coach Rig” Righeimer, who coached football, wrestling and track at Highland Park High School for about 20 years, died on March 19. He was 80 years old.

The information below comes from Donnellan Funeral. James J. “Coach Rig” Righeimer, who coached football, wrestling and track at Highland Park High School for about 20 years, died on March 19. He was 80 years old. Righeimer, of Lincolnshire was a coach and teacher in Chicago and the North Shore for over 45 years. Beloved husband of the late Therese Kathleen nee Redican; loving dad of Mary Ellen (Tom) Rucks, Jim (Lene), Brian (Vicki), Laura (Chris) Janssen and Jeannie (Doug) Balsam; cherished "Poppy" of Brianne Rucks (Jason) Van Hemert, Chris (Nikki) and Alex Rucks, angel Rebecca Grace, Morgan, Ellie and Katherine Righeimer, Stephanie, Angela, Vanessa and Austin Righeimer, Christian, Quinn and Tynan Janssen, Mira, Petrea and Alexa Balsam; …

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Wilmette Native "Already a Rabbi" Before Death At 29

Wilmette native Elissa Froman died at age 29 of Hodgkin's lymphoma. Friends and coworkers remember her dedication to social justice and her unusual ability to build community in the personal and political spheres.

Although she didn’t have a rabbinical degree, friends and co-workers who knew Elissa Froman say that her precocious ability to build community and her dedication to social justice made her, in many ways, already a rabbi. Froman, who grew up in Wilmette, died of lymphoma at age 29 on Friday, March 22. She spent her short career advocating for social change as a legislative associate with the National Council of Jewish Women and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C. As her next move, she had hoped to bring her commitment to social justice to the pulpit.  Speaking at her funeral, Froman’s boss, Sammie Moshenberg, used the analogy of the princess and the pea to explain Froman’s passion. If Elissa was the princess, …

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James Righeimer was Dedicated Athletic Coach

Former longtime Highland Park High School athletic coach James J. Righeimer passed away March 19 at the age of 80.

James J. "Coach Rig" Righeimer, age 80, of Lincolnshire, passed away on March 19, 2013. He was a coach and teacher in Chicago and the North Shore for over 45 years. In 1966, Righeimer came to Highland Park High School and coached football, wrestling and track for about 20 years, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was also a driver's education instructor for about 30 years. He retired in the mid 1990s then went on to work with young people through the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Righeimer held a strong belief that like himself, high school athletes could find their path to a college education through sports, according to the Tribune. Righeimer was the beloved husband of the late Therese Kathleen nee Redican; loving dad of Mary Ellen (…

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