Committed Local Hospital Volunteer Dies

Long time Christ Hospital volunteer Rita C. “Ritzie” Schober died Monday. She was 86 years old.

Former South Sider Rita C. "Ritzie" Schober, nee Burns, passed away April 22 in Lake Geneva, WI. The former Southsider was the wife of the late Edward Schober. She is survived by her children: Raymond, Daniel, Lynda, David and Edward; twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Mrs. Schober is recalled as a loyal, long-time volutneer at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. “Rita was the first adult in the work world to want to be my friend. She was a sweet heart,” reads a comment posted on Schober’s obituary from Wood Dale resident Olga Colon Bartolomeo. Visitation will take place Wednesday, April 24 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Central Chapel Funeral Home, 6158 S Central Ave., Chicago. Services will be held Thursday with mass beginning at 10 …

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Prominent Southland Floral Wholesaler Dies

Jacob Van Namen of Vans Floral Products died in his Palos Park home at the age of 90.

90-year-old Palos Park resident and prominent Southland business owner Jacob Van Namen died at his home on March 31. The Dutch emigrant is well known for founding Vans Floral Products out of Alsip. Formerly DeBoer Wholesale Florists, Van Namen quickly took control of the company around 1960 and renamed it. “Van” grew the business from a single Chicago location to twelve distribution centers among six states by the ‘90s. Beyond business, Van Namen was involved in a slew of non-profit and religious organizations, including serving as trustee of Trinity Christian College and board member for various national floral associations. Perhaps most impressive, however, is Van Namen’s designation of Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau—the highest …

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Former Stagg Student and Palos Hills Resident Dies in Skiing Accident

Art Glaz, 27, an Air Force lieutenant and former Palos Hills resident, was killed Friday in Colorado on a trip with friends, according to a report.

A former Stagg High School student from Palos Hills was killed while skiing in Colorado, Sun-Times Media reports. Visitation for Art Glaz, 27, will be from 3 to 10 p.m. Friday at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home in Justice. Funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, located at 8245 W. 111th St. in Palos Hills. Glaz, a lieutenant in the US Air Force, was an All-State cross country runner at Stagg, according to the report. He died after colliding with a tree Friday on an intermediate trail at the Keystone Ski Resort. He was stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and was skiing in Colorado with friends. Follow Palos Patch on Facebook

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Palos Heights Pastor Emeritus Laid to Rest

Rev. Robert E. Dovick, 85, died Oct. 28. Visitation is Sunday with a funeral Mass on Monday in Palos Heights.

Readers Offer Memories of Dunlap's after Death of Former Owner

"I went there with my Dad after my first father daughter dance."

Marilyn Ann Dunlap of Palos Heights recently passed away. She was 81. Dunlap's, a homestyle restaurant, was in the community for more than 60 years. Marilyn, who co-owned the restaurant, retired in 1998. She spent the last years traveling and spending time with the family. Readers shared their stories of the community restaurant. Here are what they had to say: Missy Goodman: This was where I had dinner for the first time with my fiance's parents and Grandmother. I am so sorry to the family. Lisa Dullard: Oh, that's sad. My Mom used to waitress there years ago. It was such a nice place. God rest her soul... Kristin Smith: How sad. I went there with my Dad after my first father daughter dance. It was lovely. Rest in peace. Tim Moore: Melinda…

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Worth Township Clerk Thomas 'Bud' Gavin Dies at 87

Thomas ‘Bud’ Gavin, Clerk of Worth Township died Saturday, July 7, 2012. Gavin had served as clerk for the past 23 years.

Thomas "Bud" Gavin, Worth Township Clerk for the past 23 years, died on July 7 at the age of 87.  Mr. Gavin also served as a Worth Township Trustee for 8 years.  Mr. Gavin was born on Feb. 25, 1925, in Chicago and attended St. Margaret of Scotland Grammar School, St. Rita High School and DePaul University. For over 50 years, he had lived in the Hometown and Oak Lawn communities where he and his wife, Lila, raised six children. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served on the USS Bennington.  During his tenure as Township Clerk he was responsible for the installation of the first computer system. He oversaw the issuance of handicap parking permits, the sale of Cook County vehicle stickers, passport applications and ran a free …

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South Suburban Death Notices, May 29

Memorial services and upcoming visitations at area funeral homes.

Golden Shoes Founder Dies at 100

Irving Goldberg who founded Golden Shoes, which has been operating in Palos Heights since 1963, passed away at age 100.

It's not often that small businesses stand the test of time, but Irving Goldberg built one that has lasted for generations and in the process became a Palos Heights landmark.  Mr. Goldberg died late last month and services were held on April 24. He was the founder of Golden Shoes, which has occupied space on Harlem Avenue since 1963.  His son Marc now runs the store with the same dedication to customer service that his father believed in. Last year, Marc Goldberg spoke with Patch about the history and operating philosophy of the store his father founded. When Irving Goldberg decided to move the store from Chicago to the suburbs he took a tip from a salesman, who told him that the Palos area was in need of a new shoe store. “[The salesman] …

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