Remembering

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]