Longtime La Grange Pharmacist Passes Away at 85

John Zaruba of Oak Brook died on March 29 at the age of 85. He was a longtime pharmacist at La Grange Rexall Pharmacy.

Coach Dry Remembered Fondly by Lyons Township Athletes, Coaches

Fred Dryanski, 63, who died Sunday after several battles with cancer, was head coach of the Lyons Township boys gymnastics program for 31 seasons before retiring in 2010 and also an assistant coach for girls gymnastics and football.

Throughout his years coaching boys and girls gymnastics at Lyons Township High School, Fred Dryanski found a way to instill humor no matter the situation. “He brought fun into the gym,” recalled Sam Zeman, Dryanski’s longtime boys gymnastics assistant coach. “When kids were getting too serious or frustrated, he came up with some comment that would make them want to shake their heads and be like, ‘What?’ It would kind of reset them and they’d be ready to go.” Dryanski, 63, who died Sunday, maintained that positive attitude throughout his many battles with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lois, whom he married following a lengthy courtship. Visitation is from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 9, at the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 S. …

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Former LGP Village President Susan E. Tutt-Parsons Has Passed Away

Former La Grange Park Village President Susan E. Tutt-Parsons has passed away at 64.

Susan "Susie" Tutt-Parsons, a former village president in La Grange Park, passed away in her home in Wisconsin on Feb. 25. Formerly a resident of La Grange Park and Westchester, Tutt-Parsons served as a La Grange Park trustee from 1993-2001 and as village president from 2001-2005. She is remembered as a strong woman with a big personality, and as an active member of the community. In addition to serving in local government, Tutt-Parsons served as president for the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of the West Cook Country Solid Waste Agency. Tutt-Parsons also served as Director of Development for Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center. Tutt-Parsons was the recipient of many awards for her service work, including being named …

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William F. Purcell, Jr., 48, LTHS Board Member

The second-term Board member passed away at his home in La Grange on Monday.

Lyons Township District 204 Board member William F. Purcell, Jr. passed away in his La Grange home on Monday at the age of 48. Purcell, a real-estate developer, was in his second four-year term on the Board of Education, having been first elected in 2005 and reelected in 2009. He served as the chairman of the Curriculum Committee from 2007-2009 and as chairman of the Facilities Committee since 2009. As chair of the Facilities Committee, Purcell was "instrumental" in a district bond issuance and improvements in the swimming pool, fieldhouse and performing arts center, said a Lyons Township press release. “Bill always put students first and was supportive of not just LTHS, but the entire District 204 community," said D204 superintendent Tim …

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Memorial Service for Steve Paczolt Scheduled for Wednesday

Information on memorial services for La Grange Park District Treasurer and former commissioner Steve Paczolt.

A memorial service for longtime La Grange Park District volunteer Steve Paczolt will be held Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Cletus Church, 600 W. 55th St. in La Grange. Paczolt was a commissioner at the La Grange Park district for 12 years, and most recently served as the board's treasurer for the last eight years. He died on Saturday, Feb. 18 in his home at age 59. Paczolt was deeply and generously committed to his community. In addition to serving the park district, he was also a member of the La Grange Business Association and the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce.  Following the memorial, a reception will be held at Bella Bacino's, in La Grange. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Sam Paczolt …

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Steve Paczolt, La Grange Park District Treasurer Dies

Steve Paczolt died in his home on Feb. 18. He was a volunteer for the La Grange Park District for over 20 years.

Mabel Grimes, La Grange Park's Oldest Resident, Dies at 105

La Grange Park resident Mabel Grimes died at age 105 in her sleep on Dec. 1.

Best of Beth Bales: RIP Steve Jobs—You Changed My World

Put Steve Jobs in the same category as Walt Disney. They were magic-makers of the first order.

  When the world found out in February 1999 that Walter Payton needed a liver transplant, I was not particularly moved. It just didn’t pertain much to my life. Then, a few weeks later, film critic Gene Siskel died. “I am so very, very sad,” I told my husband when he delivered the news. “That’s the way other people feel about Walter Payton,” he said, mildly, but with import that has stuck all these years.  That sadness I felt when Siskel died doesn’t BEGIN to cover how I felt when my middle daughter, the child who loves all things Apple, who convinced me that giving her dad an iPad for Christmas would be a fabulous, if extravagant gift, who couldn’t wait to order the MacBook she received for her high school graduation, called Wednesday …

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forest barbieri

3:34 pm on Friday, December 2, 2011

Thanks Tony! Well said! As Sir Winston once said to Lady Astor when she admonished him for being drunk, "Lady Astor, I may be drunk tonight, but tomorrow I will be sober and you will still be ugly." Some people just do not get it.   more ›

Obituary: Cole Joseph Vida of La Grange Park

Cole passed away following a lifelong illness. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday morning.

Cole Joseph Vida was granted his angel wings on Nov. 26, 2011 following a lifelong illness.  With his courage, he led us to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. He is survived by his loving parents, Joe Vida and Michele Vida, nee Clark; maternal grandfather Edward Clark and paternal grandmother Alice Ann Vida.  Cole's funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, LaGrange, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Cole’s name to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.  Contributions can be sent directly to the University of Chicago Development Office, C/O Dr. David Gozal (Cole Vida), 1170 E. 58th St., Chicago IL., 60637. Hitzeman …

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