The Herald-News / TheHerald-News.com • Monday, November 2, 2015
| OBITUARIES
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Former Sen. Fred Thompson dead at 73 By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fred Thompson, a folksy former Republican U.S. senator from Tennessee who appeared in feature films and television including a role on “Law & Order,” died Sunday, his family said. He was 73. Thompson, at 6-foot-6 with a booming voice, appeared in at least 20 motion pictures. His credits include “In the Line of Fire,” “The Hunt for
Red October,” “Die Hard II” and “Cape Fear.” By the early 1990s, Thompson said he had become bored with his 10-year stint in Hollywood and wanted to go into Former public service. That’s when he Sen. Fred headed back to Thompson Nashville and launched his Senate campaign. The family statement said Thompson died Sunday in
Nashville following a recurrence of lymphoma. It added he was surrounded by his family. Thompson, a lawyer, alternated between politics and acting much of his adult life. Once regarded as a rising star in the Senate, he retired from that seat when his term expired in January 2003, saying he didn’t have the drive for another term. “I simply do not have the heart for another six-year term,” Thompson said in a written statement at the time.
“Serving in the Senate has been a tremendous honor, but I feel that I have other priorities that I need to attend to.” However, he returned to politics in 2007 by announcing that he would seek the Republican presidential nomination. Dogged by accusations he was not a hard worker, he dropped out in January 2008 after faring poorly in the early caucuses and primaries. “I hope that my country and my party have benefited from our having made this effort,”
Thompson said. After leaving the race, he campaigned extensively for John McCain, then sought support to become chairman of the Republican National Committee but quit that quest after a few months. Thompson’s rise to the Senate was atypical. He had never before held public office, but he overwhelmingly won a 1994 special election for Al Gore’s old Senate seat after connecting with voters. In 1996 he easily won a six-year term.
son, Eric (Karen) Arneson of Glenview, IL; daughters, Annette (Richard) Butler of Plainfield, IL; and Kristen (Roger) Smith of Grove, OK; stepdaughters, Rebecca Schroeder of Parkville, MD; Susan Swierenga of DuQuoin, IL; Carol Houseright of Jonesboro, IL; and Patricia (Skip) Coffey of Colp, IL; 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church (Joliet) November 14, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to her church (Shepherd of the Dessert, Sun City, AZ), Rainbow Hospice (www. rainbowhospice.org) or your local library are appreciated.
loved doing crafts and made many memorable items for her family throughout the years that they now will cherish in her memory. Ruby was also preceded in death by her sisters, Elaine (Bob) Ehrsam and Betty (Don) Hadala; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Rolle and Lena Kurth, Tony and Rosella Ferro, Leno and Rosie Giacomi. A special thank you with appreciation and gratitude to her niece Tavia Westbrook and her home caretakers Janet and Morgan, as well as, Joliet Area Community Hospice for being so caring and kind to Ruby during her illness. Funeral Services will be held from the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home 2320 Black Road on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at 9:15 a.m. to the Church of St. Anthony for a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruby’s memory to Easter Seals, 212 Barney Drive, Joliet, Illinois 60435; Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Il 60431 or The Miracle League of Joliet, PO Box 3617 Joliet, Il 60435 For information call (815) 744-0022 or visit WWW.CHSFUNERAL.COM.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Ferrari Funeral Services of Coal City. For information call 815-634-4040.
OBITUARIES HAROLD L. BULL Born: April 17, 1926 Died: Oct. 29, 2015
Harold L. Bull “Buster”, age 89, of Joliet, IL, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, October 29, 2015. Born April 17, 1926, in Joliet, IL to William and Rudell (nee McKibben) Bull. Retired from Caterpillar January 1, 1986, with many years of service. Survived by two daughters, Paula (Leo) Tyda of Kankakee and Edith Stambaugh of Joliet; four grandchildren, Kirsten Tyda; Adam (Amber), Cody (Sara) and Alison Stambaugh; great-grandchild, Quinn Isabelle Stambaugh. Preceded in death by his wife, Rowena I. Bull (2010); his parents; and sister, Phyllis Mae Carlson. Funeral Services for Harold Bull will be held Monday, November 2, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) Joliet. As it was Harold’s wish, cremation rites will be accorded following services with Inurnment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the United States Navy on Friday, November 13, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends to meet directly there. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to Will County Humane Society would be appreciated. Visitation Monday, 2:00 p.m. until time of service at 6:00 p.m. For information (815) 741-5500 or visit his Book of Memories at www. fredcdames.com
JOAN M. EIGENHEER Born: July 12, 1931 Died: Oct. 28, 2015
Joan Marilyn (Kemmerling, Arneson) Eigenheer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with the Lord October 28, 2015. Born July 12, 1931, in Cuyohoga Falls, OH. Longtime resident of Joliet, IL and Peoria, AZ.Joan had worked at the Joliet Arsenal in Elwood, Our Lady of Angels retirement home, and Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet before retiring to Arizona. In 2012 she returned to Illinois (Glenview) to be closer to family. Joan was an avid reader and enjoyed crafting including stained glass work. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was active in every community she lived in through PTAs, Scouting and her church. While in Arizona, Joan enjoyed being a “grandma” for several local children reading stories and doing crafts. She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Viona (Sheldon) Kemmerling; sister, Marjory Pariso; brother, David; and dear husband, Lawrence John Eigenheer. She is survived by her brother, Paul (Jeanine) Kemmerling of Surprise, AZ;
RUBY MARIE FERRO Born: Aug. 24, 1928 Died: Oct. 30, 2015
Ruby Marie Ferro (nee Culo), age 87, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home. Born on August 24, 1928, to the late Maurice and Ruby (Gray) Culo. Ruby is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Peter A. Ferro; and their three sons, Peter (Sharon), John (Rebecca) and Jim (Ann) Ferro; eight grandchildren, Nicholas (Missy) Ferro, Danielle (Jeff) Weiss, Allison (Matt) Marketti, Monica (Ned) Grabavoy, Vince Ferro, Doug (Angie) Ferro, Veronica Ferro and Amanda Ferro; 11 great-grandchildren also survive. Ruby graduated from Joliet Township High School and before her marriage she worked at Gerlach-Barklow Calendar Company in Joliet. She
ESTHER L. HARMON Esther Loretta (Meagher) Harmon, age 97 and 8 months, passed away peacefully on Oct. 31, 2015.
JOYCE ANN JACKSON Joyce Ann Jackson (Nee Couch), age 59, passed away Friday, October 30, 2015, at Morris Hospital with loving family by her side. Survived by her husband, Andrew Jackson; her children, Craig Lollar, Corine Jackson, Andrew Jackson II; her father, Bob Couch; sisters, Sharon (Dick) Newman and Taryn Couch; brothers, Larry Couch, Kevin (Anna) Couch, Kenny Couch, “lil” Bob (Anita) Couch and Brady Couch. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Couch; 2 brothers, Melvin and Robert Couch. Joyce was a wonderful mom and caregiver who truly enjoyed taking care of others . She always placed others above herself. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 4, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service for Joyce will be held at the Woodlawn Funeral Home 3201 W Jefferson Street Joliet, IL on Thursday, November 5, at 10:00 a.m. Frank Juricic officiating. Internment Woodlawn Memorial Park I. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family would be appreciated.