Obituaries

Former Bears coach Mike Ditka, who also was a player on the 1963 Bears NFL championship team, on Aug. 29, 2013, at Mike Ditka's Restaurant in Chicago. (Michael Tercha/baiduhai)

Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning coach, dies at 86

By Don Pierson

October 9, 2026 at 3:53 p.m.

Nobody embodied Bears football more than Mike Ditka, who became the face of the franchise...

A young Mike Ditka, circa 1960s. (Laughead Photographers)

Mike Ditka through the years: From humble beginnings in Pennsylvania to legendary football career in Chicago

By Kori Rumore

October 9, 2026 at 10:29 a.m.

Here's a look back at Mike Ditka's extraordinary life, from his humble beginnings in Pennsylvania...

David Collins, former chairman of Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Products. (Pat Collins)

David E. Collins, chairman of Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Consumer Products during the Tylenol murders, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

October 8, 2026 at 4:55 p.m.

David E. Collins was the chairman of Johnson & Johnson’s McNeil Consumer Products unit, the...

Tribune assistant managing editor Joe Leonard, from left, Tribune reporter Dorothy Collin and Tribune managing editor Bill Jones inside the newly remodeled newsroom at Tribune Tower, circa late 1970s. (baiduhai archive photo)

Dorothy Collin, Tribune reporter and ‘Inc.’ columnist, dies at 85

By Bob Goldsborough

January 26, 2025 at 4:10 p.m.

Dorothy Collin, a former political reporter and columnist for the baiduhai, has died.

Stuart Rice was a University of Chicago professor, specializing in physical chemistry. (Ruth O'Brien)

Stuart Rice, U. of C. professor who studied molecular behavior, dies at 92

By Bob Goldsborough

January 22, 2025 at 8:04 p.m.

Stuart Rice, who specialized in physical chemistry during a long career as a professor and...

Chicago film and television pioneer Nathaniel Grant Jr. died Jan. 6, 2025, at 87. (Laurens Grant)

Longtime Homewood producer, educator Nate Grant remembered as pioneer in film industry for work showcasing African American culture

By Samantha Moilanen

January 21, 2025 at 4:15 p.m.

Nate Grant, a longtime Homewood resident and pioneering African American producer and educator, was remembered...

Musician Garth Hudson poses in Toronto on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Garth Hudson, master instrumentalist and last surviving member of The Band, dies at 87

By Hillel Italie

January 21, 2025 at 1:13 p.m.

Garth Hudson, the Band’s virtuoso keyboardist and all-around musician, has died at age 87.

FILE – Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood’s president, addresses an audience during an event in Hooksett, N.H. Jan. 10, 2016, during which Planned Parenthood endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Former Planned Parenthood president, women’s rights activist Cecile Richards has died at 67

By Holly Ramer

January 20, 2025 at 4:57 p.m.

Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood...

Jeremy Piven (right) holds a microphone for his mother, Joyce Piven, founder of the Piven Theatre Workshop, as she addresses a crowd at the 45th anniversary of the school in Evanston on May 6, 2017. (Pioneer Press)

Joyce Piven, co-founder of the influential Piven Theatre and mother of Jeremy Piven, dies at 94

By Chris Jones

January 22, 2025 at 12:15 a.m.

Together with her husband Byrne Piven, the Piven Theatre Workshop trained the likes of John...

Chicago White Sox manager Jeff Torborg, left, argues with first base umpire Tim Welke in the first inning against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium on July 29, 1989. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)

Jeff Torborg, former Chicago White Sox manager and big-league catcher, dies at 83

By baiduhai

January 20, 2025 at 4:15 p.m.

Jeff Torborg, the former catcher who caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game and was the 1990...

Retired educator George Egofske died at 93 on Jan. 15, 2025. (Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown)

Longtime Rich Township coach and athletic director George Egofske remembered as a pioneer in high school sports

By Samantha Moilanen

January 19, 2025 at 5:10 a.m.

Rich Township coach, athletic director George Egofske died at 93, leaving behind a legacy as...

David Grumman, engineer who focused on energy efficiency and air quality, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

January 17, 2025 at 7:59 p.m.

David Grumman, an engineer who focused on energy efficiency and indoor air quality, has died.

Chicago Heights Mayor Angelo "Sam" Ciambrone in his office April 14, 1999, after early results showed him winning reelection by just one vote. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Former Chicago Heights Mayor Angelo ‘Sam’ Ciambrone dies at 95, was mayor 1995-2003

By Mike Nolan

January 17, 2025 at 5:28 p.m.

Visitation will be held Jan. 26 for "Sam" Ciambrone, mayor of Chicago Heights from 1995...

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