Obituaries

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert leaves Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after sentencing on April 27, 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Dennis Hastert, the disgraced former US House speaker who went to prison, dies at 84

By Rick Pearson

October 5, 2026 at 6:36 p.m.

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison in...

Historian Anne Lunde, co-author of “Norwood Park, A View from the Ridge.” (Carmine Fantasia)

Anne Lunde, historian and expert on Norwood Park, dies at 74

By Bob Goldsborough

October 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Northwest Side native worked as a journalist, covering the area for newspaper chains, and...

Chad Lowe (right), Kim Painter, Nixie Lowe, Fiona Lowe and Mabel Lowe attend the Red Carpet Premiere Event for Disney Branded Television's and Marvel's "Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur" at Walt Disney Studios on February 04, 2023 in Burbank, California.

Chad Lowe’s daughter Fiona dead at 13

By Jessica Schladebeck

September 30, 2026 at 10:29 a.m.

Actor Chad Lowe, the younger brother of fellow actor Rob Lowe, is grieving after the...

Chicago painter Susan Michod. (Alec Michod)

Feminist painter Susan Michod, founding member of Chicago’s Artemisia Gallery, dies at 81

By Bob Goldsborough

September 18, 2026 at 1:51 p.m.

A champion of female and outsider artists, the longtime Lincoln Park resident was part of...

Activist Peter Ascoli at the historic Rosenwald building at 47th Street and Michigan Avenue on Oct. 25, 2002. Ascoli was a grandson of Sears, Roebuck and Co. President Julius Rosenwald. (Candice C. Cusic/baiduhai)

Peter Ascoli, academic and historian who carried on Sears philanthropy, dies at 84

By Bob Goldsborough

September 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The longtime Kenwood resident and scholar wrote a biography of his grandfather, Sears president and...

Bears fullback Matt Suhey rips off a large gain against the Lions on Nov 10, 1985, at Soldier Field. Suhey rushed for 102 yards in the 24-3 victory. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)

Matt Suhey, whose ‘career spanned the Chicago Bears’ greatest decade,’ dies at 68

By Brad Biggs

September 7, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey, a big part of the team's success in the...

Patricia "Patsy" Thrash, Northwestern University’s final dean of women. (Mark Carlson)

Patricia Thrash, the final dean of women at Northwestern, dies at 97

By Bob Goldsborough

September 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Patricia Thrash, a longtime administrator at Northwestern University, died of pneumonia at 97 on Aug....

Pearl Rieger in an undated photo. (Nancy Halbeck)

Pearl Rieger, one of the cofounders of the Rush NeuroBehavioral Center, dies at 98

By Bob Goldsborough

September 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Pearl Rieger died of heart failure on July 23 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Gloria Steinem applauds with other supporters at the Godfrey Hotel during a re-election gathering for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Oct. 24, 2014. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)

Gloria Steinem, a potent voice of US feminism and co-founder of Ms. Magazine, dies at 92

By Jocelyn Noveck

September 3, 2026 at 8:06 a.m.

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became one of the most visible symbols...

FILE – Cassandra Wilson performs at the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, R.I., on Aug. 10, 2003. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)

Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, has died

By Maria Sherman

September 2, 2026 at 4:01 p.m.

Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and producer has died. She was...

FILE – Author Wendell Berry talks with a reporter at his home in Port Royal, Ky., March 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)

Wendell Berry, Kentucky-born author who advocated a simpler life, has died at 92

By Hillel Italie

September 1, 2026 at 9:06 a.m.

Wendell Berry, the Kentucky-born author and agrarian who in poems, stories, novels and essays celebrated...

Newsman Jim Ruddle worked for many years at WMAQ-Ch. 5. (NBC 5 Chicago)

Jim Ruddle, a newsman of ‘old school’ values and talent, dies at 94

By Rick Kogan

August 28, 2026 at 2:03 p.m.

Jim Ruddle may have vanished from local TV screens 40 years ago, leaving town to...

Charles "Chuck" Bowen on Nov. 28, 2003, at the Chicago Military Academy in Bronzeville. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

Chuck Bowen, a key Daley liaison with Chicago’s Black community, dies at 92

By Bob Goldsborough

August 27, 2026 at 6:01 p.m.

Charles R. “Chuck” Bowen remained at City Hall throughout Richard M. Daley's time as mayor,...

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