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...

Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma has died. He was 89.

Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma dies at 89

By Associated Press

July 9, 2024 at 11:25 a.m.

Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, a conservative firebrand known for his strong support of defense spending...

Jon Landau, Oscar-winning ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar’ producer, dies at 63

By Associated Press

July 7, 2024 at 4:09 p.m.

Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on three of...

Judy Belushi-Pisano Dies: John Belushi’s Widow Was 73

John Belushi’s widow, Judy Belushi-Pisano, dead at 73

By Evan Rosen

July 7, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

Judy Belushi Pisano, who spent years protecting the legacy of her late husband, John Belushi...

Chicago lawyer George Saunders represented AT&T in landmark antitrust cases in the 1970s and 1980s. (Saunders family)

George Saunders, Chicago attorney who represented AT&T in antitrust litigation, dies at 92

By Bob Goldsborough

July 5, 2024 at 6:41 p.m.

The longtime Chicago trial lawyer and native of Alabama was a partner at the Sidley...

Judith Stofer Block, first woman to lead Field Museum board, dies at 83

By Bob Goldsborough

July 3, 2024 at 6:14 p.m.

Judith Stofer Block, who was the first woman to chair the board of the Field...

George Andrews, a pioneering superagent in the NBA and an Elmhurst native, dies at 74

By Sam Smith

July 1, 2024 at 9:27 a.m.

George Andrews, a pioneering superagent who represented NBA stars Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Doc Rivers...

FILE - Martin Mull participates in "The Cool Kids" panel during the Fox Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton hotel on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Martin Mull, whose droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development,” has died, his daughter said Friday, June 28, 2024. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Chicago native Martin Mull, comedic actor known for ‘Clue’ and ‘Arrested Development,’ dies at 80

By Andrew Dalton

June 28, 2024 at 9:49 p.m.

Martin Mull, the comedic actor, singer-songwriter and painter, best known for his roles in Arrested...

Gloria Jean Kvetko in front of the Gloria Jean's Coffees kiosk inside the Stratford Square Mall on Feb. 3, 2017, in Bloomingdale. (Kamil Krzaczynski/for the baiduhai)

Gloria Jean Kvetko, who expanded a chain of coffee shops across the country, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

June 27, 2024 at 3:54 p.m.

Kvelto and her then-husband bought and overhauled a small Long Grove boutique coffee store. The...

FIL - Actor Bill Cobbs, a cast member in "Get Low," arrives at the premiere of the film in Beverly Hills, Calif., July 27, 2010. Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as an older man, died Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at his home in Inland Empire, Calif. He was 90. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Bill Cobbs, the prolific and sage character actor, dies at 90

By Jake Coyle

June 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Bill Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as...

Philanthropist Ann Lurie at her office in Chicago on March 28, 2012. (Heather Charles/baiduhai)

Ann Lurie, one of Chicago’s most prolific philanthropists, dies at 79

By Rick Kogan

June 25, 2024 at 3:22 p.m.

Ann Lurie, who used her late husband's substantial estate for wide-ranging philanthropic endeavors that included...

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