Obituaries

Dori Wilson has her hair styled by Leigh Jones at his salon in Chicago on June 5, 2002. (David Klobucar/baiduhai)

Leigh Jones, prominent hairstylist for celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, dies at 81

By Bob Goldsborough

October 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The salon owner built a large and loyal clientele of prominent figures, and was a...

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...

Chicago Ald. Mary Ann Smith waits to speak at a news conference on March 2, 2003, regarding a major sewer lining project on Sheridan Road. Smith made environmental sustainability a priority. (Candice C. Cusic/baiduhai)

Former Ald. Mary Ann Smith, who led efforts to beautify 48th Ward and protect Lake Michigan, dies at 77

By Bob Goldsborough

August 9, 2024 at 4:25 p.m.

Former Ald. Mary Ann Smith led efforts to beautify her North Side ward and also...

The casket of Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Rafael Wordlaw is carried from his funeral at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey on Aug. 9, 2024, Wordlaw was fatally shot during an attempted robbery in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Slain Cook County sheriff’s deputy Rafael Wordlaw mourned at funeral: ‘He was a protector’

By Rebecca Johnson

August 9, 2024 at 3:38 p.m.

Growing up, Rafael Wordlaw dreamed of working in law enforcement. Looking out at the sea...

Musical Director Hilel Kagan, right, with some members of Concertante di Chicago on Dec. 13, 1985. (Phil Greer/baiduhai)

Hilel Kagan, violinist with Lyric Opera and chamber orchestra founder, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

August 1, 2024 at 4:42 p.m.

Hilel Kagan, a Chicago-area violinist and teacher, cofounded a Chicago chamber orchestra and also played...

Evanston Police Chief William Logan talks on May 7, 1984, about the Evanston police department’s Gang-Net sting operation where 39 people were arrested. (George Thompson/baiduhai)

Evanston’s first Black Police Chief Bill Logan dies at 92

By Bob Goldsborough

July 31, 2024 at 5:15 p.m.

Bill Logan was an Evanston native who capped his long career with the Evanston Police...

Francine Pascal, creator of beloved ‘Sweet Valley High’ books, dies at 92

By Associated Press

July 30, 2024 at 3:40 p.m.

Francine Pascal, a onetime soap opera writer whose “Sweet Valley High” novels and the ongoing...

Richard "Dick" Wehrli is seen here with his son, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli. Dick Wehrli died Saturday, July 27, 2024, at age 90. (Scott Wehrli)

Richard ‘Dick’ Wehrli, prominent Naperville businessman and philanthropist, dies at 90

By Tess Kenny

July 30, 2024 at 2:56 p.m.

Richard “Dick” Wehrli, a prominent Naperville businessman and philanthropist who was instrumental in bringing North...

Former Tinley Park Village Clerk Pat Rea died Friday at age 84.

Patrick Rea, longtime Tinley Park official, dies at 84, remembered for devotion to village

By Mike Nolan

July 29, 2024 at 1:13 p.m.

Longtime Tinley Park official Patrick Rea dies at 84, his "heart and soul" were in...

FILE — Irish writer Edna O’Brien in New York, on Oct. 14, 2006. O’Brien, the prolific Irish author whose evocative and explicit stories of loves lost earned her a literary reputation that matched the darkly complex lives of her tragic heroines, died on July 27, 2024. She was 93. (Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times)

Edna O’Brien, Irish literary giant who wrote ‘The Country Girls,’ dies at 93

By Hillel Italie

July 28, 2024 at 5:03 p.m.

Edna O’Brien, Ireland’s literary pride and outlaw who scandalized her native land with her debut...

Sue Duncan reads Helen Keller's book about blindness to Ashunti, from left, Jaylen and Breah during an after-school program at Jackie Robinson Elementary School on the South Side in 2010. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)

Sue Duncan, guiding force behind South Side children’s center, dies at 89

By Bob Goldsborough

July 25, 2024 at 1:46 p.m.

Sue Duncan was the founder and guiding force for a children's center that provided educational...

FILE – Duke Fakir holds his life time achievement award backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2009. Fakir wrote a memoir, “I’ll Be There: My Life With The Four Tops.” (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, last of the original Four Tops, is dead at 88

By Hillel Italie

July 22, 2024 at 2:51 p.m.

Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last surviving original member of the beloved Motown group the Four...

News Obituaries