Obituaries
Garry W. Sutherland
Garry W. Sutherland, 60, of Kenosha, Wis., died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at his home
surrounded by his family.
Born on Nov. 13, 1951 in Golconda, Ill., he was the son of JT and Virginia (Werner) Sutherland. He was educated in the schools of Illinois. He married Debria Ison on Oct. 3, 1970 in Zion. He was employed as a carpenter at Neeves Construction for several years. His hobbies included working on cars, NASCAR, sprint racing, building race engines, building model cars, and spending time with family & friends, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Debria Sutherland of Kenosha; his son, Justin (Sarah) Sutherland Sr. of Kenosha; his daughters, Shena (Nolan)Bohner of Beach Park, Jennifer (Brandon) Alvarez of Kenosha; his mother, Virginia (Allen) McCreary of Zion; a sister, LaDonna (Lee) Kraft of Arizona; and his grandchildren, Justin Jr. and Victor Sutherland and Jaden and Lilly Alvarez.
He was preceded in death by his father, JT Sutherland, and a sister, Sandra Lancaster.
A gathering time with the family was held Feb. 13 at Kenosha Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family would be appreciated.
Kenosha Funeral Services & Crematory 8226 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, Wis. 53143 (262)652-1943;kenosha-funeral-services.com
Paul Edward Sweeney
Paul Edward Sweeney, 88, of Zion died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.
He was the son of the late Edward and Ivy (McEwen) Sweeney. He was born in the home on Gabriel Avenue that would be his address for his entire life.
In 1941, Paul was a member of the second graduating class of Zion-Benton Township High School. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II manning the large shore artillery guns on the coasts of Florida, Texas and California. He was one of the countless soldiers whose train stopped at the famous North Platte Canteen in Nebraska.
While in the service he received a severe frontal skull injury from a misfired shell and another time had one of his legs crushed by a load of shells that shifted in the truck in which he was riding, leaving him with an ulcerated leg for the rest of his life. He never complained nor sought compensation for his injuries. The many letters he wrote home survive him.
After the war and several jobs he became a printer like his father before him. He claimed to have gotten his droll sense of humor working with his fellow printers. He retired early to care for his widowed mother and work from home as an investor. For many years he was the anonymous author of a column in the Zion-Benton News titled "The Sidewalk Superintendent.” He was a living encyclopedia of old Zion history and was much interested in his home town politics. He was proud of his Australian heritage.
His mother had come to Zion with members of the Adelaide, Australia branch of the Christian Catholic Church. In keeping with his upbringing Paul avoided medicine and pork etc. He enjoyed corresponding with his Australian relatives.
He enjoyed planting gardens and loved the many feline friends that shared his home. He liked feeding the gulls by Lake Michigan and said it was against his principles to even harm an insect. He was fanatic about baseball and fiercely loyal to his many interesting friends.
In addition to his parents Paul was preceded in death by one still-born sister and many loved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Paul is survived by many Sweeney, McEwen, Studebaker, Mumford, Ower, Beem, Congdon, Beall, Brown, Griffin, Therkildsen, Oliver and Hammond cousins with Zion ties including his chosen end-of-life caregiver, Gordon Studebaker.
Visitations will be held Thursday, Feb. 16. from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, and again on Friday, Feb. 17, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Richard Studebaker will officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. In lieu of memorials and in remembering Paul’s love of gardening, flowers would be appreciated.
Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com.
Clarence Michael Pushee
Clarence Michael Pushee, (known by his friends as "Spike"), 67, of Zion, died Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.
He was born Aug. 18, 1944, in Waukegan and graduated form Zion-Benton Township High School in 1963. He was formerly employed as a chef for the old Archdale's Restaurant in Waukegan for 12 years and under the current employment of Knollwood Country Club in Lake Forest for 31 years. He served as a sergeant with the United States Marines in Viet Nam and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Waukegan. He enjoyed reading anything connected with world history or U.S. history and loved watching sports. He was a kind soul with a big heart and a wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include his brother, Thomas Pushee(Candy Thompson) of Waukegan; nephew, Clint (Angela) Pushee of Evansville, Wis.; and cousins, Patti and Sally DeWoody.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Margaret Pushee.
The family expresses its sincere appreciation to friends at Knollwood Country Club for visits, phone calls, and cards.
A chapel interment service was held Feb. 13 at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, with Pastor Doug Carlson of Grace Missionary Church officiating.
Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com.
Verna C. Simon
Verna C. Simon, 94, died peacefully Feb. 13, 2012 in Vista East Hospital, Waukegan.
Born on Nov. 6, 1917 in Zion, to Mabel and Harry Paulsen Sr. she spent her early elementary years in the Winthrop Harbor School but graduated from 8th grade in Chicago. In her late teens she graduated from beauty school in Waukegan. Some may remember her as a beauty operator in the old Zion Department store.
She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, gardening and reading. She was always generous with her handmade items, giving to people as a gift of herself. She began crocheting at age 14 and continued until about three weeks ago.
She was a loving mother and is survived by her loving daughter, Sandra M. Johnson and loving son, Roger Simon, both of Winthrop Harbor. Also surviving are two grandsons, Bradley (Jennifer) Johnson of Libertyville and Timothy (Donna) Johnson of McLeansboro, Ill. Three great-grandchildren, Amanda Johnson, Erik and Sara Johnson, all of whom were the light of her life. Her only surviving sibling is Harry J. Paulsen, Jr, of Zion. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Verna will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Simon in 1990, a sister, Marion Nelson, a sister, Betty Walker and a brother, Grant Paulsen.
A short service was held in the chapel of Northshore Garden of Memories in North Chicago Feb. 16th at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the family home Thursday after the service. A light lunch will be available. Donations may be made to the family.
Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com
Leonard ‘Lenny’ Laird
Leonard “Lenny” Laird, 71, of Zion, died Friday, Feb.10, 2012. He peacefully went 
home to his Heavenly Father surrounded by his loving family at the Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
He was born May 31, 1940 to Bernee and Ruby (Post) Laird in Silver Creek, Minn. He moved to Zion as a young boy and graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School. On Sept. 9, 1961 he married Patricia Ower at Christian Assembly in Zion. He was in the Army Reserves. He owned and operated Ower Plastering for many years, then went to work at Abbott Laboratories as a chemical operator for 17 years. He was a member of Grace Missionary Church and served as an elder and a deacon. He was also a leader of AWANA Boys & Girls Club.
Lenny enjoyed camping, bike touring, fishing in Canada, back packing and was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed his mission trip to South Africa through ZEMA.
He is survived by his loving wife Pat, recently celebrating 50 years, his loving daughters LuAnn (Scott) Sparkman and Suzanne (Daniel) Bozarth both of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., his grandchildren Scotti and Kaylee Bozarth, his brother Larry (Gloria) Laird of Waukegan, his sister Lila (Charles) Terrell of Alabama and a sister-in-law Tina Laird of Waukegan. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father Bernee Laird, his mother Ruby Hauser, his sisters Violet Pyette and Rosalee Lund, his brothers Roger Laird and Richard Laird.
A memorial service was held Feb. 14 at Congdon Funeral Home, Zion. Memorials would be appreciated to Grace Missionary Church.
Please sign the online guestbook at congdonfuneralhome.com.
Lurlie P. Pearson
Lurlie P. Pearson, 85, of Zion, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2012 at Grove At The Lake, Zion.
She was born Feb. 10, 1926 in Itawamba County, Miss. and moved to Zion in 1950. She was a member of the Winthrop Harbor VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was an avid homemaker and loved taking care of her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children Paul (Debbie) Pearson, Donald Pearson and Anita (Ray Cudworth) Hopkins, all of Zion; grandchildren, Christopher Pearson, Earl Hopkins, Steven Hopkins and Edward Hopkins; two step-grandsons, Nick and Adam Markoutsis; one great-grandson; one brother, Bob (Natalie) Jackson of Beach Park and one sister, Mariam Kelly of Winthrop Harbor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Uvil; one grandson, Michael Pearson, and her parents, Collin and Mamie Jackson.
A memorial service was held Feb. 14 at Congdon Funeral Home, Zion. Pastor Daniel Diehl officiated. Memorial donations to STAR Hospice have been suggested.
Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com.
Frank J. Beykirch
Frank J. Beykirch, 84, of Zion, formerly of Waukegan, died and was called home to the
Lord on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Rolling Hills Manor in Zion.
He was born Aug. 23, 1927 in East St. Louis, Ill. and came to this area in 1964. He was a loving father, devoted husband, and loving grandfather and great-grandfather to his family. He truly adored and loved all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He enjoyed reading, watching old movies, building models, working on projects around the house, listening to baseball on the radio while he sat outside in the sun, and spending time with his grandchildren. In his younger days, he loved playing baseball, and played for both his high school and college teams. Later, he spent years coaching Little League baseball when his children were young. He also enjoyed working for Abbott Laboratories for 25 years along with his part-time employment with Sears, Ace Hardware and the old Kozar's Liquor Store in Waukegan.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Rita Beykirch, his parents, John and Noda Beykirch, his brother John (Jack) Beykirch and his sisters Virginia Smith and Eleanor Ashton.
Survivors include his four children, Barbara (Glenn) Meyer, Kevin (Marion) Beykirch, Mary Rochon, and Kathleen (Mark) Hanley, his grandchildren, Karen Meyer, Adam (Michelle) Meyer, Sarah (Jason) Padgett, Nick (Randi) Rochon, and Jillian, Jaena and Julia Hanley, and his great-grandchildren Gavin Meyer and Addison Rochon.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Feb. 11 at Our Lady of Humility Church in Beach Park. Interment followed at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.Donations can be made in honor of Frank to Our Lady of Humility School, 10601 Wadsworth Road, Beach Park, IL 60099.
Please sign the online guest book at congdonfuneralhome.com
Memoriam
Rose Wabashaw
June 28, 1966 - Feb. 17, 2009
Closer
Like the wind that blows
I feel you astir
Fast, still, or calm
Forever so constant
Until your presence is known
Sincere, I keep you
One more time
Where I love you most
My heart, where I hold you close
Completely, you are remembered
As peace sets in
And I know you are with me
Hand in hand
Pulling me
Closer
We miss your laugh, and silly moods. We miss your smile, but most of all we miss you living your life with such grace and style
Missing you,
Cammy, Dave and friends