U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Joan Balcerzak
Joan (nee Kenny) Balcerzak, 71, a longtime resident of Northbrook and a former resident of Wilmette and Evanston, died March 15 in Glenbrook Hospital, after a 22-year battle with breast cancer.
Mrs. Balcerzak was born July 31, 1934 in Evanston. She was a 1952 graduate of Marywood High School, and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Northwestern University in 1956.
She was a teacher in Evanston for several years and was an active parishioner at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Northbrook, where she was one of the founding members of the Parish's Ministry of Care, on which she served for more than 15 years.
Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Marion J. ; daughters Stephanie (Robert) Graves of Winnetka, Susan (Jeffrey) Blade of Indianapolis, and Jennifer (Robert) Klaas of Waunakee, Wis. ; her son, Jeffrey (Kathleen) of Gurnee; seven grandchildren, Joe, Maggie and Ian Graves, Sarah and Elizabeth Blade, and Matthew and Melody Klaas; sisters, Lucille "Sis" (Clifford) Peart of Northbrook and Terese "Terri" Keats of Irving, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
A requiem Mass was celebrated Monday at St. Norbert Church. Interment was in All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.
Memorial donations may be made to Kellogg Cancer Care Center, 1033 University Place, Suite 450, Evanston IL 60201.
Elnora Metzel
Elnora H. (nee Harkness) Metzel of Evanston, a former resident of Wilmette and Winnetka, died March 6 in the McGaw Care Center of the Presbyterian Homes in Evanston. She was 102.
Born June 22, 1903, in Chicago, she attended Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, and continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Northwestern University in Evanston.
Among the small group of women focused on building a career in that era, Mrs. Metzel, also known as "Bunny," had a 15-year career in fashion-design writing with Standard Publishing Co. and also edited children's books for Marion Merrill Publishing. In addition, she took frequent business trips to New York City, Paris and other European destinations.
During her career, she was an active member of the Chicago College Club and other organizations.
Mrs. Metzel married her husband, Truman T. , in 1948. Mr. Metzel preceded his wife in death, in 1984.
The couple first lived in Chicago, but moved to Winnetka during the 1950s.
Mrs. Metzel was active with the Cradle Adoption Agency in Evanston, the Fortnightly Club of Chicago and the Winnetka Weeders Garden Club. Her favorite group, however, was the Tuesday Ladies, who gathered weekly to read together and "improve their minds. "
The group remained intact well into the 1990s.
Mrs. Metzel and her husband enjoyed traveling. They flew a single-engine aircraft, and later navigated a cabin cruiser, to various destinations in the United States, including Mississippi and the Great Lakes.
They also traveled throughout the world, where they pursued their interests in art, photography, crafts and native cultures.
According to relatives, Mrs. Metzel and her husband loved engaging with people and making friends around the world who became permanently incorporated into their larger "family. "
The couple moved to Wilmette a few years before Mr. Metzel died.
Since 1990, Mrs. Metzel resided in Westminster Place at the Presbyterian Homes in Evanston. She was an active part of a group of widows who shared her love of travel.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Harkness; her brother, Edward M. Harkness; and a stepson, Dick N. Metzel.
Survivors include stepdaughter Suzanne Metzel (Matthew) Gehringer; stepsons Truman T. Jr. (Dorothy) and Albert J. (Wanda); three step-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service was held March 13 in the Elliott Chapel of the Presbyterian Homes.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Homes, 3200 Grant St. , Evanston, 60201.
Willis Ranney, Jr.
Willis Ranney, Jr. , 79, of Sedona, Calif. , and formerly of Winnetka, died Feb. 21.
Mr. Ranney was born March 27, 1926 in San Antonio to Willis Ranney, Sr. and Magdalen Ulmen Ranney. He grew up in Texas, California and New York.
He served during World War II in the
Army Air Corps and during the
Korean War in the Air Force.
He was a graduate of Hotchkiss Preparatory High School in Connecticut and went on to receive a bachelor's degree in economics at Yale University.
He worked for United Airlines public relations, for Foote, Cone and Belding and N. W. Ayer, where he worked in advertising, and then for McDonald's Corporation, where he worked in marketing.
After retiring, he went overseas with the International Executive Service Corps where he volunteered assistance to businesses in Bulgaria, Egypt, Slovakia and Panama.
Mr. Ranney was a member of Christ Church in Winnetka and St. Chrysostum in Chicago, where he served as an usher and as a member of the vestry. He had a longtime involvement with the Lawrence Hall School for Boys and served on its board of directors.
He was a member of an investment club, was a docent for the National Park Service and enjoyed astronomy, hiking, swimming and travel. He was a longtime member of Chicago's Saddle and Cycle Club.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Judith Ann Comb; two sons, George Charles (Barbara) of Newport Beach, Calif. and Willis, III (Ros) of Wildwood, Mo. ; three grandchildren, Brighton, David and Alex, all of Wildwood, Mo. ; his first wife of 20 years, Ana Maria Pellecer; two nieces, Diana Suarez Phillips and Mia Suarez O'Brien; and one step-daughter Susan Oswald.
A memorial service was held March 11 in the Westcott Funeral Home, Cottonwood, Calif.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Clinton A. Roenisch
Clinton A. Roenisch, 44, formerly of Winnetka, died Feb. 12 in his home in Kenfield, Calif.
Mr. Roenisch was born March 1, 1961 in Evanston. He grew up in Winnetka and graduated from North Shore Country Day School in 1979. A graduate of Kenyon College, he later earned a master's degree in business administration at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He moved to California 13 years ago.
Survivors include his wife, Cynthia; one son, Brooks; one daughter, Heidi; his mother, Elizabeth Roenisch Crowe; his step-father, Robert W. Crowe; his father, Davis H. Roenisch; his step-mother, Karen Roenisch; one sister, Melinda; one brother, Davis; three step-brothers, Robert Crowe, William Crowe and Thomas Brent; and one step-sister, Mary Stevens.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a. m. on April 1 at Christ Church, 784 Sheridan Road in Winnetka.
Richard K. Seyfarth
Richard K. Seyfarth, 76, of Wilmette and formerly Evanston and Deerfield, died Feb. 19.
Mr. Seyfarth was born May 9, 1929, in Chicago to Mac Harper and Dorothy Seyfarth. He was raised in Lanark, Ill. , and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1951 and a master's degree in business administration in 1955 from the University of Chicago. He was an active member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Mr. Seyfarth worked as an investment banker with financial institutions in Chicago.
He was past president of the board of the Friends of Wilmette Public Library, past president and chairman of the Chapter Development of Mended Hearts and an active member of the New Trier Township Republican Organization. He also served on the New Trier Township High School District's 2005-2010 Strategic Plan Committee.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Barbara (nee Willett); three sons, William J. (Tracey), Christopher C. (Laura) and Eric J. (Jennifer); four grandchildren, Justin, Alix, Kathryn, Kelly and Lauren; one brother, James; and one sister-in-law, Nancy.
A memorial gathering was held Feb. 24.
Interment was private in Freeport.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mended Hearts, Evanston/Glenbrook/Highland Park, c/o Evanston Hospital, Room 6302, 2650 Ridge Ave. , Evanston IL 60201.
William N. Haddad
William N. Haddad, 98, a resident of Winnetka for 49 years and retired partner of the law firm of Bell, Boyd and Lloyd, died April 6 in his Winnetka home.
Mr. Haddad was born in Marjayoun, Lebanon and previously lived in Chicago.
Mr. Haddad practiced law in Chicago for close to 70 years. During most of his career, he concentrated in corporate, probate and federal tax law; and for many years he was active in the tax section of the American Bar Association. He joined the law firm in 1926 and became a partner in 1939.
He was one of the founders of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. He believed that in a society based on the rule of law, civil rights conflicts must be resolved through the legal process, and that lawyers have a special responsibility to make the legal system work for everyone.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and his law degree from the Harvard Law School.
Mr. Haddad was an enthusiastic tennis player. He started playing in tennis tournaments at age 86 and continued to play in tournaments for seven years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of over 52 years, Christine Chadwell Haddad.
Survivors include his son, William Chadwekk Haddad; his daughter, Susan Christine Haddad; three nephews, George (Lois) Haddad of Costa Mesa, Calif. , Robert (Helen) Haddad of Columbus, Ind. , and Richard (Betsey) Haddad of Bethesda, Md. ; niece, Norma (John) Eagleton of Tulsa, Okla. ; and great-niece, Constance Chadwell Koch of Washington D. C.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at Christ Church, 784 Sheridan Road, Winnetka, with burial private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Palliative Care Center of the North Shore, 2821 Central St. , Evanston, 60201-1221.
Justin Simon
Justin Daniel Simon, a Wilmette native and prominent Washington D. C. attorney, died April 5 in Atlanta, Ga. after battling leukemia. He was 53.
Mr. Simon graduated from New Trier, where he won numerous Debate Club awards, and went on to become valedictorian of his class at Brandeis University. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1971, and worked for the U. S. Attorney’s Office in Washington. He later joined the Washington firm of Dickstein, Shapiro, and Morin, and was a partner in the firm for many years. Among his many interests was coaching youth soccer.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Constance Simon; two children, Adam, 22, and Emily, 18; and his parents, Harold and Thelma Brook Simon of Wilmette.
Funeral services were Monday in Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Brandeis University in his name or Emory University Hospital’s leukemia section.
Jane D. Sydell
Jane (nee DeMand) Sydell, 82, a long-time resident of Glenview, died March 26 in Wilmette.
Mrs. Sydell was born May 4, 1918 in Chicago. She was a homemaker and a member of the North Shore Associates, Kenilworth Women’s Club, Alpha Xi Delta, Visually Impaired Persons Group, and Wil-Tegs.
Survivors include her husband, Robert M. , of Glenview; her sons, Jack (Margie) of Monroe, N. C. and Gil (Ann) of Hendersonville, N. C. ; her daughter, Judith (Grant) Pierce of Kildeer; grandchildren, Robert (Marguerita) Sydell of Phoenix, Ariz. , Michael Sydell of Phoenix, Ariz. , Matthew (Rebecca) Pierce of Barrington; Blake Pierce of Kildeer; Amy (Davidson) Morse of Memphis, Tenn. , Jarrett Sydell of Atlanta, Ga. and Kathryn Sydell of Hendersonville, N. C. ; great-grandchildren, Adrianna Sydell and Aidan Morse; and a sister, Ruth (the late Charles) Graf of Wilmette.
A memorial visitation was held Saturday at Scott North Shore Chapels. Memorial donations may be made to the ENH Hospice, 5215 Old Orchard Road, Suite 200, Skokie IL 60077-1035.
Nancy Heinz
Nancy (nee Benson) Heinz, 82, a longtime resident of Northbrook, died Saturday, May 29, in Glenview.
Mrs. Heinz was born Jan. 19, 1922 in Chicago. She was a longtime member at Multiplex.
Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Arthur P. Jr. ; a son, John of Wichita, Kan. ; a daughter, Susan (Tom) Talty of Wheaton; one granddaughter, Katharine Talty; four nephews, Jerry (Tina), Tom (Anne), Bill (Madonna) and John (Sharon) Heinz; and two nieces, Annette (Larry) Rafferty and Mary Heinz (George Martin. )
A memorial service was held Sunday, May 31, at N. H. Scott & Hebblethwaite Funeral Home in Glenview. Interment was private.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Robert W. Hunt Sr.
Robert W. "Bob" W. Hunt Sr. , a longtime Glenview resident, died Friday, May 28, in Glenbrook Hospital, Glenview. The 80-year-old also resided in Marco Island, Fla. and Juddville Bay, Wis.
Mr. Hunt was born June 25, 1923, grew up on Chicago's South Side, and graduated from Hirsch High School. A competitive tennis player in his youth, he was runner-up to Jimmy Evert, Chris Evert's father, in the Chicago Boys Tennis Championship.
He began his freshman year at Purdue University in 1941. That December, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, he enlisted at the age of 19 with the
Army Air Corps.
He flew 25 missions in Europe as a bombardier and was shot down on his final mission. He was imprisoned for five months before he was able to escape.
For his actions he was honored with two Silver Stars and two Oak Clusters.
After the war, he instructed
Army Air Corps aviators before returning to college and graduating from Loyola university in Chicago.
Mrs. Hunt was vice president at Canal-Randolph/United Stockyards, Chicago, a large real estate-development corporation and stockyards, until his retirement in 1985.
He was an active fund-raiser for the building of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and Maryhaven Nursing Home, both in Glenview.
Survivors include a son, Robert W. Jr. (Kathy) of Glenview; a daughter, Mary (John) Talley of Stony Point, N. Y. ; and three grandchildren, Bob, Matt and Ryan Hunt.
Mr. Hunt was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty," (nee Talbot).
Visitation was held Monday, June 1, at Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie. Funeral services and burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to Sister Paulanne's Needy Family Fund, in care of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St. , Glenview IL 60025 or The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Ave. , Evanston IL 60201-2713.
Brandon Goldman
Brandon Goldman, 20, a resident of Wilmette, died May 23 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
Mr. Goldman was born Dec. 28, 1983 in Evanston. He worked as a laborer in the construction industry.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, May 27 at Colonial - Wojciechowski Funeral Home in Niles.
Interment was at Randhill Park Cemetery
in Arlington Heights.
