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Trinity volleyball coach Ken Uhlir dies  8:08 AM (15 hours ago)

Trinity High School volleyball varsity head coach Ken Uhlir has died, the school announced on its Facebook page, April 15. 

“Coach Uhlir was a cherished member of the Trinity community for the past 11 seasons and made a lasting impact on countless student-athletes with his passion, dedication, and unwavering support,” the school said in a statement. 

“He was also a proud parent of Carly Uhlir, Class of 2017.” 

Uhlir spent 11 seasons with the Blazers and won four IHSA regional championships (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021). 

Trinity athletic director Ken Trendel told Wednesday Journal in a phone interview that news of Uhlir’s death came as a shock to the school. 

“It’s been a rough couple of days,” he said. “Ken instilled a passion for volleyball in every girl that he encountered, including my daughters (Liv and Maddie).” 

Trendel added that Uhlir was a valuable resource for him when he arrived at Trinity. 

“He was like a big brother to me,” he said. “He was somebody I went to when I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. I needed some guidance and advice, and he helped me through a lot of situations. It’s a big loss for me, my daughters, and our program.” 

Uhlir founded the River Forest-based Triple Ace Volleyball Club along with his wife Chris in 2009. Trendel believes there are currently 140 girls participating in the junior program. 

“He touched a lot of kids in Oak Park and River Forest,” Trendel said. “(His death) is definitely a loss for our entire community.” 

“Ken was a wonderful man and a true asset to the volleyball community,” retired Fenwick coach Kathleen O’Laughlin told Wednesday Journal via text. “He was truly passionate about the game and his players. We had some great matches and memories over the years. The Fenwick community is deeply saddened by this news and will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.” 

Trendel said that while it hasn’t been discussed yet because of the sudden nature of Uhlir’s passing, a search for his replacement will begin soon. 

“We just hope we can find someone that’s passionate of both Trinity and volleyball as Ken was,” Trendel said. “My heart goes out to his daughter and two sons, his relatives, and all the girls who he encountered at Trinity and Triple Ace over the years.” 

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Print Edition: April 16, 2025 7:00 AM (16 hours ago)

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Easter Church Guide 2025 15 Apr 2:35 PM (yesterday, 2:35 pm)

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Hannah Voigt Memorial Service 15 Apr 12:29 PM (yesterday, 12:29 pm)

Hannah Voigt, 87, of Oak Park, died at home on March 7, 2025, surrounded by family. She earned her B.S. in Music Education at SUNY Potsdam, and her M.M. in Piano and Music Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. While in graduate school, she did summer study in Fontainebleau, France with Nadia Boulanger and Jean and Robert Casadesus.

Upon graduating from Eastman, she taught in the school’s preparatory department. In the summer of 1962, while playing cocktail piano at the Aspen Music Festival, she met graphic designer Harry Voigt. They married in 1963 and settled in Oak Park.

That year, she joined the Chicago Symphony Chorus as a soprano, and was tapped by famed conductor Margaret Hillis to teach sight-singing to her fellow choristers. She taught music in Oak Park public schools until the birth of her daughter, Laura, in 1964. By then, she had started her private piano teaching studio. They welcomed a son, Derek, in 1966.

In the 1970s, she and baritone Robert Smith inaugurated the Unity Temple Concert Series. During her many years in Oak Park, she accompanied community choirs and performed solo and collaborative recitals, including on WFMT with fellow pianist Barbara Ekholm. She was the organist at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church for 50 years.

She influenced many, notably through her involvement in the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA). In 2021, she was named the CAMTA music teacher of the year. She gave presentations, mentored new piano instructors, and was chair of the annual Achievement in Music (AIM) program for so many years they lost count. Most of her students took the AIM exams, many saying it gave them confidence, discipline, and a deeper understanding of and love for music.

She will be remembered for her generous and loving heart, her intelligence, curiosity, optimism, sense of humor, tireless work ethic, fighting spirit, and ability to inspire others to be their best selves and enjoy life to the fullest.

A memorial service will be held for Hannah Voigt at 1 p.m. this Saturday, April 19 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St. in Oak Park.

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Anne Cochrane, 89 15 Apr 12:26 PM (yesterday, 12:26 pm)

Anne Cochrane, 89, of Oak Brook, formerly of Oak Park, died on April 13, 2025. Born on May 27, 1935, she was proud to be a docent at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History while living in Washington, DC. She was a female business owner in the 1970s, a rarity at that time. While living in Oak Park, she worked at Logos Bookstore and Alioto’s Gift Shop. In her spare time she enjoyed needlepoint, knitting, gardening and cooking and especially loved spoiling her grandchildren. Her greatest devotion was to her family, who will miss her tremendously.

Anne was the wife of the late John; the mother of Kristine (Jim Angio) Cochrane and Susanna (Casey) Decker; the grandmother of Hannah (Sam) Shapiro, Jacob (Thea) Decker and Johnny Decker; the great-grandmother of Oliva, Robbie and Oliver; the sister of Ingrid (late Bill) Peek and Jurgen Petzold; sister-in-law of the late Mary Barbara (late Paul) Bickell; aunt of John Bickell, Barbara (Peter) Manson, Jessi (Jens) Beckman and Nicholas Petzold; and the great-aunt of Isabel, Andrew and Johann.

A service is being planned and will be announced at a later date. Anne’s urn will be interred next to her husband in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Arrangements were handled by Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home.

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Sloan Watson, 54 15 Apr 12:23 PM (yesterday, 12:23 pm)

Sloan Angeline Watson, 54, of Oak Park, died unexpectedly on April 9, 2025. Born to Chris and Kenneth Moryl on June 26, 1970, she was raised in LaPorte, Indiana, and graduated from University of Dayton where she studied Communications.

After meeting her husband, Tom, serendipitously on the el, they married shortly thereafter and welcomed Lainie, Lily and Owen, settling in Oak Park and raising their family in a home they lovingly restored.

She was known for her piggyback rides, frequent excursions to Maple Park, and spontaneous trips to the beach to capture summer’s waning days. As the kids grew, she was often found decked out in OPRF High School swag and cheering from the bleachers.

As vice president of Marketing at Bulley & Andrews construction firm for 25 years, she was thrilled that Oak Park’s main public library was both widely used and built by the company for which she worked.

An avid reader, traveler, and Kelly Corrigan listener, she had a passion for decorating, thrift store shopping, and loved dogs. She was an inherent optimist who loved the quote, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year,” and she lived it.

She never forgot a birthday, was unconditionally supportive during happy and challenging times, and frequently mailed a note to remind you how special you are. She immediately volunteered if someone needed help and always genuinely reflected, “I was grateful to have had the opportunity.” She was among the kindest and most thoughtful of humans.

In addition to her husband, Tom, Sloan is survived by their children and her adored dog, Indy. She is also survived by her mother, four sisters, her brother, Tom’s extended family, nieces, nephews, godchildren, countless dear friends and former colleagues. She was preceded in death by her father, Ken.

In Sloan’s memory please enjoy a cold beer, any treat made with caramel, and consider offering a kind act for someone and a smile. She would be thrilled.

Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester on Thursday, April 17 from 3 until the funeral service and words of remembrance at 7 p.m.

Memorials to Hephzibah Home, 946 North Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60301 in Sloan’s memory are deeply appreciated. 

Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co. Funeral Directors.

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Scott Roman, 66 15 Apr 12:19 PM (yesterday, 12:19 pm)

Scott Roman, 66, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, lost his battle to cancer on March 19, 2025. Born on Jan. 15, 1959, he attended Hatch School and graduated from OPRF in 1977. A mail carrier in the village for decades, he was appreciated by residents, co-workers and neighbors. His kind and caring attitude led to him being involved in AA counseling, serving in the Judson Baptist Church men’s ministry, prayer meetings and Sunday School. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Roman. A Celebration of his life will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 at Judson Baptist Church, 1252 N. Austin, Oak Park in their fellowship hall, lower level. Parking is available in the church parking lot across from the church, plus street parking.

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Betty Gehring, 96 15 Apr 12:15 PM (yesterday, 12:15 pm)

Betty B. Gehring, 96, of Oak Park, formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana, died on Feb. 11, 2025 in Oak Park. Born on April 20, 1928 in Scranton, Iowa to the late Thomas and Dexter Burns, she was an accomplished violinist who graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, where she met her life love, Philip Gehring. They were married on Aug. 26, 1951 in her hometown of Clear Lake, Iowa. The following year, they both began graduate studies at Syracuse University, where she earned her master’s degree in music.

They both taught at Valparaiso University for many years and Betty also taught private violin lessons and played in several symphony orchestras. She was a member of a quartet that played at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan as well as internationally.

After retirement, they moved to Oak Park in 2009 to be closer to family. She was a member of First United Church of Oak Park.

Betty is survived by her children, Kristin (Walter Miller) Gehring, Thomas Gehring, and Martin (Ruth) Gehring; her grandchildren, Gehring Miller, Ilse Miller, Mahala (Marla Devault) Miller, Tatiana Gehring, William Gehring, and Allison Gehring.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Philip and her granddaughters, Larisa and Alexandra “Shura” Gehring.

A memorial service will be held for Betty and her granddaughter Shura at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St.

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Roy Lundin, 89 15 Apr 12:13 PM (yesterday, 12:13 pm)

Roy Charles Lundin, 89, died peacefully at LaGrange Hospital on March 29, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Chicago on May 29, 1935, he grew up on Chicago’s South Side, going to White Sox games and feeding squirrels in the park. After moving to Evanston as a teenager, he graduated from Evanston Township High School and attended Northwestern University, where he met and married the love of his life, Shirley, a marriage that lasted 69 years. He graduated from George Williams College with a degree that focused on group dynamics. His career started with the YMCA, but before long his path took him to personnel work for Kraft-General Foods. The family moved with him as his career developed, until they finally settled back in the Chicago area in Oak Park.

After retirement, Roy and Shirley continued consultant work with various organizations and enjoyed life, going on adventures exploring all corners of the Earth. Socializing, eating and listening to music were favorite pastimes. Roy loved to laugh and had perfect timing on his witty remarks.

A Unitarian Universalist, he humbly lived by the UU principles. He believed strongly in our responsibility to make the world a better place, and took advantage of every opportunity to advance equity for all. He connected with many people at Unity Temple through various leadership roles and as a congregant, and made many dear friends.

Roy leaves behind his wife, Shirley; his children, Michael, Laura and Bethel; seven grandchildren, their spouses and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy Martin and Marie Bridget Lundin (Bennett) and his sister Joan Kelley (Lundin).

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 29, 2025 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Beyond Hunger Oak Park, 848 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 https://www.gobeyondhunger.org or National Public Radio – WBEZ, 848 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. IL 60511, https://www.wbez.org.

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Donna McKune, 85 15 Apr 12:07 PM (yesterday, 12:07 pm)

Donna J. McKune, 85, of Forest Park, formerly of Oak Park, died in her home on April 13, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was a force of nature, literally, taking great pride in her immaculate vegetable and flower garden, which she tended with obsession, and her backyard was a haven for every variety of bird. She was also engaged with her neighbors and friends, and advocated for her community, most recently and notably through her commitment to keeping gambling machines out of Forest Park. She never missed an opportunity to participate in efforts to make things better. Sometimes with family and sometimes solo, she enjoyed road trips across the country, crossword puzzles, and games. Her strong and independent nature followed her well into her final days. Her grandchildren will always cherish the “game closet” and hours spent playing mancala on her living room floor. Her children and grandchildren know best that she is likely reading this obituary to ensure that all grammar is correct — just like she taught us.

Donna was the loving mother of three sons, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of three. She is survived by her three sons: Paul (Barbara Hersh) McKune, Patrick (Julie) McKune, and Michael (Kelly Anchors) McKune; her grandchildren, Marhysa (Joshua) Ott, Erinn (JJ) Donohue, Joseph McKune, Veronica (Rachel) McKune, Max McKune, and Charlie McKune; her great-grandchildren Braden McKune, Willow Ott, and Brynn Donohue; her siblings, Barbara (the late Sam) Vaccaro, John (Nancy), and Nick (Marianne); and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Margaret Fabbrini, and her sisters, Dolores Vine and Mary Fabbrini.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, April 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:30 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Forest Park Arts Alliance www.forestparkarts.org are appreciated.

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