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...

FILE – From left to right, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, William Anders and James Lovell Jr. gather near their spacecraft at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Ill., where the astronauts are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their six-day mission to enter the lunar atmosphere and orbit the moon. Dec. 10, 1993. Retired Maj. Gen. Anders was killed Friday, June 7, 2024, when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90. (AP Photo/John Swart, File)

Former Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders dies in Washington plane crash at 90

By Associated Press

June 7, 2024 at 8:05 p.m.

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut, has been killed when the...

Ed Posh was the head golf pro at the Village Links golf course in Glen Ellyn for 28 years. (Lori Sorrells)

Ed Posh, ambassador for golf as longtime pro at Village Links, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

June 6, 2024 at 4:37 p.m.

Edward Posh, an ambassador for golf as the pro at Glen Ellyn’s municipal-owned Village Links...

FILE – Dallas Cowboys’ Larry Allen takes a knee during NFL training camp, Aug. 1, 2005, in Oxnard, Calif. Allen, one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL during a 12-year career spent mostly with the Dallas Cowboys, died suddenly on Sunday, June 2, 2024, while on vacation with his family in Mexico, the Cowboys said. He was 52. (Irwin Thompson/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File)

Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, dies unexpectedly at 52

By Schuyler Dixon

June 3, 2024 at 2:05 p.m.

Larry Allen, one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL during a 12-year...

The family of President Barack Obama, including his mother-in-law Marian Robinson, far right, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha stand before the second inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 21, 2013. (Alex Garcia/baiduhai)

Marian Robinson, Chicago native and mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86

By Darlene Superville

May 31, 2024 at 7:26 p.m.

Marian Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who lived at the White House with the...

Thomas Philipsborn, mainstay of mortage banking in Chicago, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

June 4, 2024 at 1:13 p.m.

Thomas D. Philipsborn, a mainstay in Chicago’s mortgage banking community, has died at 97

Charles Pounian was the commissioner of personnel at Chicago's City Hall for 25 years, across four mayoral administrations. (Steven Pounian)

Charles Pounian, who ran city Personnel Department under Mayor Richard J. Daley, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

June 3, 2024 at 8:48 a.m.

Charles Pounian, who ran the city of Chicago's personnel head under Richard J. Daley, has...

This image released by ABC shows Johnny Wactor in character as Brando Corbin from the daytime series “General Hospital.” Wactor was shot and killed Saturday when he interrupted thieves stealing the catalytic converter from his car in Los Angeles. He was 37. (Scott Kirkland/ABC via AP)

Former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor killed in downtown Los Angeles shooting

By Associated Press

May 28, 2024 at 6:35 p.m.

Former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was shot and killed when he interrupted thieves stealing...

FILE – Producer Albert S. Ruddy accepts the Oscar for best picture for “The Godfather” at the 45th Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 27, 1973. The Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” died Saturday, May 25, 2024, at age 94. (AP Photo, File)

Albert Ruddy, Oscar-winning producer of ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ dies at 94

By Hillel Italie

May 28, 2024 at 2:08 p.m.

Albert S. Ruddy, a colorful, Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for “The Godfather”...

FILE – Mickey Mouse, from left, Elizabeth Gluck, Richard M. Sherman and Minnie Mouse pose for a photo at the ceremony honoring the Sherman Brothers with the rename of Disney Studios Soundstage A at the world premiere of Disney’s “Christopher Robin” at the Walt Disney Studios, July 30, 2018, in Burbank, Calif. Sherman, one half of the prolific, award-winning pair of brothers who helped form millions of childhoods by penning classic Disney tunes, died Saturday, May 25, 2024. He was 95. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Richard M. Sherman, who fueled Disney charm in ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘It’s a Small World,’ dies at 95

By Mark Kennedy

May 26, 2024 at 4:37 p.m.

Richard M. Sherman, one half of the prolific, award-winning pair of brothers who helped form...

Grayson Murray hits a tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on May 23, 2024, at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty)

Grayson Murray dies at age 30 a day after withdrawing from Colonial, PGA Tour says

By Doug Ferguson

May 26, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew...

News Obituaries