Obituaries

FILE – RJ Mitte poses for a portrait to promote the film, “Time Share”, at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 20, 2018, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)

RJ Mitte, ‘Breaking Bad’ actor and disability rights champion, dies at 34

By Andrew Dalton

October 12, 2026 at 8:58 p.m.

“Breaking Bad” actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte died Monday at age 34, authorities...

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...

Herlda Senhouse, the second-oldest U.S. resident, dies at age 113

By Associated Press

November 18, 2024 at 2:29 p.m.

Herlda Senhouse, who founded a jazz dance group to raise money for Black students in...

Dana Starks, chair of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, talks with reporters Jan. 19, 2009. (Michael Tercha/baiduhai)

Dana Starks, former police commander who served as interim superintendent, dies at 74

By Bob Goldsborough

November 15, 2024 at 6:01 p.m.

Longtime Chicago police Officer and Cmdr. Dana Starks was the department's first deputy superintendent —...

Record producer Shel Talmy in London on Sept. 7, 1973. (TPLP/Getty)

Shel Talmy, Chicago native who produced hits by The Who and The Kinks, dead at 87

By Associated Press

November 15, 2024 at 7:54 a.m.

Shel Talmy, a Chicago-born music producer and arranger who worked on such British punk classics...

Quincy Jones waves to photographers with his foot because his hands were full with his six Grammy Awards on Feb. 20, 1991, at Radio City Music Hall.

Quincy Jones’ cause of death revealed to be pancreatic cancer, report says

By Tribune News Service

November 14, 2024 at 11:47 a.m.

Music legend Quincy Jones died earlier this month reportedly from pancreatic cancer.

Ella Jenkins is interviewed for a documentary on Aug. 27, 2014, in the Bauler Playlot Park. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Ella Jenkins, ‘First Lady of Children’s Music,’ dies at 100

By Bob Goldsborough

November 11, 2024 at 3:35 p.m.

Ella Jenkins, a prolific and internationally known singer, songwriter and performer who earned the nickname...

FILE – Bobby Allison stands beside his car and talks with the press after winning the pole position during qualifying for the 500 mile grand national stock car race at Pocono Raceway, Aug. 2, 1975, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/File)

Bobby Allison, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 3-time Daytona 500 winner, dies at 86

By Jenna Fryer

November 10, 2024 at 8:53 a.m.

Bobby Allison, founder of racing’s “Alabama Gang” and a NASCAR Hall of Famer, died Saturday....

Designer John Robert Wiltgen checks the lighting on the renovation of a Trump International Hotel and Tower residence on April 20, 2017. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

John Wiltgen, prolific designer who wrote of living with diabetes, dies at 65

By Bob Goldsborough

November 9, 2024 at 10:58 a.m.

John Robert Wiltgen, a high-profile interior designer in Chicago who worked with both individual clients...

In this Sept. 23, 2014 file photo, Producer Quincy Jones, of the documentary film “Keep On Keepin’ On,” poses for a portrait, in New York, Sept. 23, 2014. (Photo by Drew Gurian/Invision/AP, File)

Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney and more pay tribute to Quincy Jones

By Associated Press

November 4, 2024 at 8:24 p.m.

Those who knew him over the decades shared public tributes to Quincy Jones on Monday.

Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote his documentary “Quincy” during the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2018, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Quincy Jones, music titan who was born in Chicago, dies at 91

By Hillel Italie

November 4, 2024 at 11:15 a.m.

Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic...

Buffalo Grove Mayor Verna Clayton talks about O'Hare International Airport expansion at the Schiller Park Municipal Building on Jan. 13, 1990. (Val Mazzenga/baiduhai)

Verna Clayton, former Buffalo Grove village president and state legislator, dies at 87

By Bob Goldsborough

October 30, 2024 at 11:59 a.m.

Verna Clayton, Buffalo Grove’s village president for 12 years and later a state legislator, has...

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