Today's Notices and Guest Books

Looby, Jerry Joseph 85, of Countryside. Korean War Veteran. Beloved husband of Germaine; Loving father of Kenneth Looby and Janetta Saplis; Devoted brother of Alice (late Jerome) Hahn, the late George (late Colletta) and the late Larry (Florence) Looby; Dear uncle of many. Visitation 3:00 to 9:00pm Monday, May 20, at HALLOWELL & JAMES FUNERAL HOME, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Prayers 9:15am Tuesday, May 21, at the funeral home to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, LaGrange for Mass at l0:00am. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park. In lieu of flowers, masses preferred. Jerry was a former Boy Scout leader and he enjoyed growing things and cooking. Funeral home phone 708/352-6500.

Mallo, Mitchell J. Age 90, U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Chicago, IL, May 16, 2013. Beloved husband of Helen (nee Gurak); loving father of Michael (late Barbara nee Oxborough) and Donna Mallo; cherished grandfather of Michael (Jana) Mallo and great-grandfather of Gage and Ella Mallo; dear brother of Edmund, Chester and the late Alex, Theodore and Lottie; fond uncle of many. Funeral Services Monday 10am at Ridge Funeral Home 6620 W. Archer Ave. (corner of Natoma). Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 3-9pm (773)586-7900 or www.ridgefh.com.

Marchok, Caroline R. 68, of Morton Grove. Beloved wife of Leonard; loving mother of Andrea (Vic) Markell and Anthony; dear grandmother of Katie and Victor. Services private. Sign online guestbook at www.simkinsfh.com. (847) 965-2500

Pepper, Kirk Hadley 41, of Lake in the Hills, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2013, of brain cancer. Born September 16, 1971; graduated from Fremd High School 1989. Beloved son of Leila Pepper and George Pepper; devoted brother of Janelle (William) Morse; cherished uncle of Elizabeth and Nathan Morse. He will be remembered for his good nature and extreme devotion to his family and countless friends. Private cremation. Memorial service will be held at Holy Family Parish in Palatine on June 15 at10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neuro-Oncology Research Fund at NorthShore University Health System, 2650 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.

Piszczynski Jr., Thaddeus H. Age 63, passed away March 22 in Florida. Loving son of the late Thaddeus H. Piszczynski Sr. and the late Genevieve (nee Glab) Piszczynski Lubash; beloved stepson of the late Leon F. Lubash Jr.; loving brother of Ed (Arlene) Piszczynski and Mel Pick; Dear step-brother of Leon "Chip" III, Denise, Lloyd, Lisa, the late Gary and Leslie; beloved uncle of Dana, Audra and Michael. A memorial Mass was held at St. Raymond de Penafort Church, Mt. Prospect. Interment was private.

Ramey, O. Jean Educator, playwright, producer, entrepreneur, socialite, social and political activist. Our mother, our mentor, our friend. O. Jean Ramey quietly passed April 23rd at her home in Silver Spring, Maryland. Six children were born unto O. Jean Ramey and Thomas D. Ramey (deceased): P. Dollar, (Vera), Fredric, Donna, Eric, Bernice, and Robert. Speech and theater were her passion. O. Jean served as producer-executive director of Jeano Productions. Her mission was to cultivate, promote, and sponsor the talents of youth in culturally dormant areas through scholarships and theater productions. With notable collaborators, Walter Dyett, music coordinator, Delano O'Banion, John W. Work Chorale, and Tommy Sutton, Mayfair Academy, her productions were performed before a sold out house at McCormick Place. Forever the astute business woman, Jean created Jeano Enterprises, an African import company. She branded, marketed and promoted her company everyday as she styled in African garb and jewelry. She met and collaborated with African dignitaries, including Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana and Joshua Nkomo, founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union. For several years, Jean chaired The American Friends of Liberia and the Caribbean-American International Organization. Jean Ramey was one of few females to hold an Illinois bail bondsman license. Jean, along with her husband, Thomas Ramey, offered her services at no charge to jailed civil rights workers. Jean was also licensed as an insurance broker. Jean taught at Illinois State, Vassar College and University of District of Columbia. Under her baton, Afro-Centric plays were a tour de force. Jean's ambitious campus productions theatrically enriched and challenged her students to explore and maximize their creativity. The Ramey family invites you to celebrate their mother's enduring charm, engaging spirit, and effervescence on May 31, 2013, at Peoples Congregational Church, 4704 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Nereida Reyes, (nee Caraballo) was called home to God on May 16, 2013 at the age of 81. Beloved wife of the late Jaime; Loving mother of the late Jose (Juana) Ortiz, Jaime Jr., Juan (Bonnie) and Judith (Richard) Roszak; Dear sister of Nellie and predeceased by 8 other sisters; Proud grandmother of 7 and 15 great-grandchildren; Many nieces and nephews. Funeral Service Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Walter L. Sojka Funeral Home 1427 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago followed by an Interment at Maryhill Cemetery. Visitation Monday, May 20, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (312)666-2673.

Rojas, Fernando M. Age 51. Loving son of Maria Teresa Fagan; dear brother of Roy, Rene, Rolando, Ramiro Medina and Ruth (Walter) Rodriguez; dear uncle of 21 nieces and nephews and over 19 great-nieces and nephews. Well known at Northwestern Hospital and employee of the C.T.A. Funeral Services Wednesday, May 22nd 9:30a.m. from the Sourek Manor Funeral Home, 5645 W. 35th St., Cicero to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church for 10:00a.m. Mass. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday 4:00-9:00p.m. 708-652-6661 or www.Sourekfuneralhome.com.

Sterkowitz, Michael 74; was the beloved husband of the late Alice (nee Larsen); loving father of Scott (Carole), Cindy (Neal) Valente, John (Pamela), Martin, Michael (Francine) and Keith (Kelly); adoring grandfather of 21; dear brother of Frank (Sharon), Carol and the late Robert (Diana); uncle, cousin and friend of many. Member of Local Union 710 Soft Drink Drivers and Helpers. Visitation Sunday 3 to 9 PM. Monday Gathering, 10 AM, Prayers 11 AM from Hallinan Funeral Home 2601 Vermont, Blue Island, IL to St. Damian Church 5300 W. 155th, Oak Forest, IL for 12 PM Mass. Interment private. Info 708-385-0850 or to sign Michael's online guestbook and view his video tribute, go to www.hallinanfuneralhome.com.

Torres Sr., Robert Age 71. Beloved husband of Rose (nee Leal); loving father of Robert Jr., Lupe, Michael and Peter; dear grandfather of 6 granddaughters and 7 grandsons; great-grandfather of 16 and great-great-grandfather of 1. Survived by his sister, Bellia Romero. Funeral Services Tuesday 10:00a.m. at the Sourek Manor Funeral Home, 5645 W. 35th St., Cicero. Visitation Monday 3:00-9:00p.m. 708-652-6661 or www.Sourekfuneralhome.com.