Tim Landis dies
Tim Landis, longtime reporter for the State Journal-Register, has died. Landis, 66, was found dead this morning by his wife, according to the Sangamon County coroner’s office. “She woke up this morning and found him unresponsive,” said Jim Allmon, chief deputy coroner at the coroner’s office. She called EMS, but he was gone.” The death…
That extra mile
I first met Chris Durbin in1986. We remained close friends for the next three decades. He died unexpectedly in his sleep on Nov. 17 at his home in Monticello. When we met, both of us were living in Springfield and studying as undergraduates in the communication department at Sangamon State University, now University of Illinois…
Dedicated volunteer
Stan Zielinski was a lifelong learner with many interests – soccer, the arts, cooking, family and the military to name just a few. He retired after a long career in marketing, sales and association management. In all aspects of his life, he was a dedicated volunteer committed to helping others. Friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances…
A magnet that drew people together
I met my late father-in-law, George Kenney, on Thanksgiving Day 1986 at Washington Park. It was the beginning of a friendship that would last for 30 years. Many of you may have known George as a lifelong resident of Springfield, a practicing attorney or through his involvement in the American Business Club. There are two…
Take things that come, and turn them around for good
Mary passed away of ALS after battling it for just over two years. ALS is a debilitating disease that also took her sister, Linda, in 2015. Mary knew what the disease would do but she said, “I am a Christian, and I believe you take things that come in your life, and if they’re bad,…
In the crosshairs
Oh dear – the North Koreans are threatening the United States with a preemptive nuclear strike. In November, Kim Jong-un ordered a test launch of the Hwasong-15 missile, which has the potential to reach any spot in the U.S. The missile for the moment is incapable of delivering any warhead more lethal than a couple…
Editor’s Note 12/28/17
In this, the final issue of 2017, we are grateful for many things. For another year, our 42nd, of Illinois Times surviving in business to have a voice in this raucous and turbulent world of public affairs. For the coworkers who dedicate their best efforts each week to putting out this little paper. For the…
What to look for in 2018
This was an interesting year that’s just concluding, wasn’t it? And here’s the thing: I suspect 2018 will be just as intriguing. Let’s start with some good news. The economy had a good year in 2017, seeing overall growth, subdued inflation, progress on wages, and even some signs that economic growth is reaching the poor.…
Shared soup
On Monday, Jan. 1, join the Sangamon Valley Group Sierra Club for a Stone Soup Hike. During this annual event, attendees are invited to enjoy vegetarian or meat-eater soups and a guided hike through Carpenter Park, a 434-acre wooded park and nature preserve nestled along the north bank of the Sangamon River. All attendees are…
New Year’s Eve for youngsters
On Sunday, Dec. 31, children who can’t stay up late can still celebrate the coming year during the Children’s Museum of Illinois’ annual “Happy Noon Year” event. Enjoy a confetti balloon drop at noon, along with music, a craft and other festive fun. Admission is $6 for Children’s Museum of Illinois members and $8 for…
Alice in Wanderland
I follow you on Twitter, and I was disgusted to see your tweet about marriage, “No, humans aren’t naturally monogamous — which is why people say relationships ‘take work,’ while you never hear anybody talking about what a coal mine an affair can be.” If a person finds fidelity so challenging, they should stay single. –…
Remembering the lives they lived
It is our tradition to reserve our last issue of the year for remembering some of the Springfield-area people who have died in the past year. Those we include here are people who have come to the attention of our writers, and others brought to IT by readers answering our call to memorialize their loved…
Downsizing a bit sloppy, but on point
I have a feeling that many viewers will find the premise in Alexander Payne’s Downsizing rather appealing. As written by director and screenwriter Jim Taylor, it posits a future in which people can voluntarily undergo an irreversible procedure through which they will be shrunk to approximately six inches and then live in a micro-community of…
New year happy
With New Year’s Eve being a celebratory night and falling on a Sunday in 2017, we have a solid, full weekend before the party to party and partake in live music. It seems some of our music folk have taken full advantage of the situation and booked mighty good stuff for this pre-2018 weekend. One…
Devin Williams Band
Known for his easygoing blues music and hopped-up reggae beats, this young, singing guitarist brings on the music with a style and confidence that belies his age and experience. With Devin playing slide on his trusty acoustic guitar while fronting vocals, he’s joined by bandmates Casey Cantrall (guitar, vocals), Chuck Combs (bass), Justin Schmidt (drums)…
A decent, progressive Republican
An old boss of mine died earlier this month. Former Representative John B. Anderson was really more political mentor than boss. I am glad and proud to say that. John B, as he was commonly known around the 16th Congressional District of northern Illinois, was a Republican. So was the house where I grew up.…
A song in her heart
Mary Link was born with a song in her heart to parents Fred C. and Myra Fern (Garrett) Brown, both of Springfield, an expression of joy she carried with her all of her 90 years. She was a pianist, a music teacher, a quilter, a ceramics artist and a member of the Red Hat Society…
He elevated the human side of medicine
Dr. Sumanta (Shuman) Mitra died as he had lived – peacefully. He died in his sleep next to his wife, Lynn. Thankfully, he did not suffer or struggle. His death was unexpected and its cause uncertain. Yet Shuman’s life had a clear direction and his family, friends and colleagues find comfort in knowing he loved…
In rock n’ roll heaven
With a shock of red hair, a full white beard and the body of a Weeble, children would often call Dave Leach “Santa Claus.” He was jolly and filled with joy. You would always walk away from Dave with a smile. You might be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, but you would be…
Straight up and real
On April 24, 2017, Springfield lost one of its greatest treasures, Joseph Raymond Klauzer. In 64 years of life, he touched many hearts. If you knew Joe, you were blessed with an amazing friendship. He acquired many lifelong friends as a young boy who grew up on the north end. His childhood stories included bicycles,…
The judge
In courtroom wells, they called him judge, or your honor. In casual conversation, it was Schmidy, a man who rarely lost a case and never an election. John Schmidt grew up in Springfield, played center for the Lanphier football team and once figured on becoming a pilot. But, at some point in high school, his…
A lifetime of activism for social justice
Barbara Dickerman, known as “Babs” to most, had boundless energy and a vivacious personality. She was a crusader for social justice causes in Springfield. Whether it was fighting for fair and equitable housing or speaking at a city council meeting, Babs wanted justice for all people of all races and all religions. She could be…
Black gumbo
The day wasn’t perfect. There was wind, with high gusts forcing a 40-minute postponement. And Cambest’s feet weren’t in the best of condition. Can you take a quick lap with the water truck before we start, William “Bill” O’Donnell, the driver, asked. “Yeah, sure,” Joseph “Pete” Morrison agreed. And then history was made. Cambest proceeded…
Optimistic to a fault
Ryan Cannon met his future wife, Lisa, through an online dating site. “That was about three or four months before her cancer resurfaced,” he said. Nicknamed “Lisa Lu” (short for her maiden name, Lukaszewski), Lisa had been a little over two years cancer-free at the time they met. When her diagnosis came, the couple realized…
Everybody called her Aunt Catherine
Catherine Staab had just seven nieces and nephews, but if you included the people who called her “Aunt Catherine,” that number would have been in the triple digits. She never knew a stranger – everyone called her Aunt Catherine. A woman dedicated to her career as funeral director, Aunt Catherine served the Springfield community alongside…
A hero and a gentleman
I met Uncle Bill in the summer of 1962 when I was 3½ years old. My parents, older sister and I had made the trip from Springfield to Uncle Bill and Aunt Nan’s home in Connecticut. When we arrived, they were welcoming and loving. I also met my three cousins that day. It was such…
‘You’ve got a friend’
Strictly on paper, no one should have given much of a rat about Mary Therese Vann. She was a recovering alcoholic and perpetually late. A person who flitted between jobs and businesses and appointments like a hummingbird on methamphetamine. She held no public office, accumulated no power, was rarely quoted in newspapers and kissed no…
Citizen Clarke
Jack Clarke reigned over the State Journal-Register when newspapers mattered. People believed what they read in newspapers when Clarke was publisher of the capital city’s daily paper. Newspapers were strong businesses, with profit margins that exceeded 25 percent and publishers who were players, sitting on influential civic boards and bestowing make-or-break endorsements on candidates for…
She held many titles
My mom had the biggest heart and was a phenomenal woman. Mom graduated from the U of I and received her master’s from SIUC. She was proud that three generations of women in her family had received SIUC master’s degrees (my mom, her mother and I). Her first job was teaching in Paxton, Illinois, and…
A champion of veterans
Thomas R. Jones dedicated his life to serving his country and his fellow man. He spent eight years in the U.S. Navy, which included a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, followed by a long and distinguished career in public service. Having experienced firsthand the horrors of war and the difficulties of adjusting to civilian…
First responder
If you were to mention the name Al Lewin anywhere in the central Illinois emergency services community, there would be instant recognition. For many years, Al served the Illinois State Police, as well as fire departments in Auburn and Chatham. He could be seen often running to emergencies of all kinds. He served as an…
His song lives on
Two hundred words is not enough. The impact John had on the lives of those he touched during his short time here will always be remembered. He was a proud father of two wonderful daughters, a beloved brother and son, a loyal friend and so much more. John was a known and well respected Springfield…
Dapper Dan
They called him Dan, Danny, Danny Boy, Dapper Dan, Mr. Dan and Mr. Buck, and all who knew him marveled at his resilience and the illumination he brought to nearly every conversation. Daniel R. Buck died on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the age of 95, a fitting day for a WWII veteran who always wore…
Crusader for higher ed, anti-racism, justice
Jim Forstall just had this twinkle in his eyes and a smile that drew one into him. Whether it was at a meeting of the Chamber’s Business Education Partnership discussing ways business and education could unite for students, or at one of the many community organizations that Jim participated in, he showed a gentleman’s demeanor.…
Spread love everywhere you go
She was a ray of sunshine whose sparkling eyes never met a stranger. My mom, Alfreda “Freda” “Allie” Katauski – a timeless beauty with a heart of gold and passion for fun. Growing up in Gillespie, she was the first grandchild and only granddaughter and niece for many years, making her quite spoiled by her…
Groundbreaking comedian, dedicated activist
“The only good thing about the good old days is they’re gone.“– Dick Gregory Dick Gregory, who passed away in August at the age of 84, had the rare gift of combining humor with social commentary in a way that created understanding and unity rather than division. As a stand-up comedian starting out in the…
‘I’ve gotta guy’
On New Year’s Eve 2016, I, along with many others, lost a dear friend, M.T. Vann. M.T. was born and raised in Springfield and was a part of so many aspects of this community. Over 800 people attended her Celebration of Life on Jan. 6, 2017. M.T. was a part of the real estate community,…
