I first met Pat Hauversburk of Springfield more than 12 years ago at the Illinois State Archives, where I spent my Saturday mornings researching my own family genealogy. Pat had the patience of a sain]]> “Thanks for my walk upon the dust and stone / of this earth, to have fought for air, light and beauty / of my imperfect but so precious world.”Nancy Ganguli’s words and adoration tou]]> The solemn drone of bagpipes fills the cold winter air as hundreds of pensive mourners shuffle into the towering white stone church. Inside sits a family coping with the sudden, unexplainable loss of ]]> Raymond Edward Ohl was born July 23, 1928, in Parkersburg, W. Va. Dad served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Robert H. Smith, and was awarded several medals for his efforts of which we were all very p]]> On Thanksgiving evening 2010, Rita and Ryan Lytle cradled their son at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They read his favorite books and sang his favorite song – “Frere Jacques&rd]]> About the issue In this last edition of the year, Illinois Times celebrates the lives of just a few of the Springfield-area people who have died during the past year. By reading their stories, you c]]> Malik Hines, a Springfield High School senior who, along with freshman Zena Garcia, died in a car accident in November, was known for his talents and for his unique sense of style. But what at least t]]> ]]>