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...

Exelon's Christopher Crane outside his office in the Chase Tower in Chicago on Sept. 23, 2011. (William DeShazer/baiduhai)

Christopher Crane, low-key CEO who expanded size of ComEd parent Exelon, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

May 10, 2024 at 2:52 p.m.

Christopher Crane, the CEO and president of Commonwealth Edison parent company Exelon from 2012 until...

Music producer Steve Albini in his studio on July 24, 2014. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Steve Albini, legendary Chicago music producer for Nirvana and the Pixies, dies at 61

By Maria Sherman

May 8, 2024 at 3:31 p.m.

Steve Albini, a rock musician and revered audio engineer who played a singular role in...

Dawn Isenhart-Copp, left, and Oak Forest Animal Control Officer Melissa Drozd stand by a plaque honoring their friend Laura Gray, a former Oak Forest alderwoman and longtime volunteer who helped found The Friends of Oak Forest Animal Control. The group helped find homes for abandoned pets. (Janice Neumann/Daily Southtown)

Longtime Oak Forest volunteer’s name lives on at animal agency where she helped

By Janice Neumann

May 6, 2024 at 3:32 p.m.

Longtime Oak Forest volunteer Laura Gray died at 62 in February. Less than two months...

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the U.K. Premiere of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, Dec. 12, 2012. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill, of ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ has died at 79

By Associated Press

May 5, 2024 at 2:54 p.m.

Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in...

Bob Avellini played in 73 games for the Bears from 1975 to 1984. (baiduhai)

Former Chicago Bears QB Bob Avellini, who helped the team make the playoffs in 1977, dies at 70

By Brad Biggs

May 7, 2024 at 4:19 p.m.

Bob Avellini, who quarterbacked the Chicago Bears through some of the greatest seasons of Walter...

Actor Brian McCardie attends the "200 Cigarettes" Hollywood Premiere on Feb. 10, 1999 at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood, California. (Ron Galella)

Brian McCardie, ‘Line of Duty’ and ‘Rob Roy,’ actor, dies at 59

By Tribune News Service

May 1, 2024 at 11:24 a.m.

Brian McCardie, a Scottish actor best known for his roles in the BBC drama “Line...

Glenn Heck. (Britta Swoboda Photography)

Glenn Heck, teacher and administration who helped expand National College of Education, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

April 30, 2024 at 2:36 p.m.

Glenn Heck, a teacher and administrator at National Louis University who focused on curriculum that...

William J. Kallas, mayor of Oakbrook Terrace, circa July 22, 1997. (Oakbrook Terrace)

William Kallas, mayor who led efforts to bring lake water to Oakbrook Terrace, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

April 26, 2024 at 3:45 p.m.

William Kallas, who as mayor in the 1990s led efforts to bring Lake Michigan water...

Violinist Paul Phillips, who served as a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the violin section from 1980 until 2020. (Todd Rosenberg)

Paul Phillips, CSO violinist under Solti, Barenboim and Muti, dies

By Bob Goldsborough

April 25, 2024 at 5:36 p.m.

Paul Phillips, a violinist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under acclaimed music directors Georg Solti,...

Documentary producer Scott Craig in the 1970s. (Family photo)

Scott Craig, award-winning documentary producer, dies at 89

By Bob Goldsborough

April 24, 2024 at 12:47 p.m.

Scott Craig, a versatile and award-winning producer of television documentaries for two Chicago television stations,...

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