Notable deaths in Lake County in 2019

We said goodbye to several notable Lake County residents in 2019. They left indelible marks on their communities through impressive accomplishments and dedicated public service. The list includes local officials, and community, religious and business leaders.

Jim Robbins

Jan. 22: The driving force behind the veterans memorial at Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville, Robbins became part of a contingent of supporters who raised more than $60,000 to establish the memorial on land donated by the cemetery association. The granite memorial was dedicated Memorial Day in 1999. Robbins would attend the annual Memorial Day observance, a notebook in hand, to make sure he pronounced each name on the marker correctly. "That was his baby. He felt it an honor to read all their names," said George R. Gandara, the current Post 8741 commander and a fellow Marine. Robbins was 90.

The Rev. Gehl Devore

Feb. 5: Led the First United Methodist Church of Waukegan for 17 years before retiring in 1980, then served another 20 years as chaplain of the Waukegan City Council, opening every meeting with a prayer. He was 102. "He lived a life of commitment and service," said his son, Bill, of Wadsworth, "and a love for his church, his family and his Lord." He also served as pastor of churches in Westmont, Rockford and Barrington.

The Rev. Mary Climons Lacey

Feb. 13: A Waukegan pastor whose volunteer work included ministering to Lake County jail inmates and collecting toys for needy children is remembered for decades of community service. She was one of 10 children, grew up in rural Mississippi, and marched for civil rights with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. She would take in unsupervised children whose parents worked at night, hosting as many as 20 at a time. In 1987, Lacey helped launch a homeless shelter in Waukegan called Mary's Mission. "She would help any and everyone she could," Lake County Board member Angelo Kyle said. "She would always put others first before herself." Lacey was 80.

Henry Paulus

Feb. 21: Helped shape Lake Zurich during its transition from small town to suburban community during his 20 years as mayor. Paulus moved to Lake Zurich in 1954 at a time when the village was experiencing its initial population increase from 850 residents in 1950 to 3,458 in 1960. He was first elected to public office, village clerk, in 1961, became a trustee in 1968 and elected mayor in 1969. He served five terms, leaving office in 1989. By 1990, the village had grown to 14,947 residents, according to U.S. Census Data. "He was probably one of the most impactful people in the way Lake Zurich is today," current Mayor Tom Poynton said. Paulus was 89.

Rick Drazner

April 5: A Buffalo Grove Park District commissioner, dedicated community volunteer, member of Rotary, chamber of commerce and Congregation Beth Judea, he worked as an attorney and public adjuster. "His love for the community was unparalleled," said Buffalo Grove Park District Board President Scott Jacobson. "He was very proud of the accomplishments of his daughter and son in their young careers." Drazner was 58.

Robert Parker Coffin

June 13: He served more than 20 years as village president and has one of the town's main thoroughfares named in his honor. He moved to Long Grove after World War II and opened an architectural office. He joined with others to block a development, and instead require three-acre minimum lot sizes and promote open space to preserve the area's rural character. "When you think about Long Grove's rural character that's lasted 63 years, it's all because of our founding fathers," village President Bill Jacob said. "It's what makes us unique." Coffin died at age 101.

The Rev. John P. Finnegan

June 16: The founding pastor of St. Mary of Vernon Parish in Indian Creek in 1978, he led the growing church and expanded its ministry. Finnegan, who spent the last 20 years of his career at the church and became pastor emeritus on his retirement in 1998. Besides leading the growing church, which has more than 2,000 families, he saw the need to expand the church's ministry to senior living centers. Hawthorn Lakes was the first such ministry he established in 1983. Parishioner Margaret Kuretich of Gurnee said Finnegan remembered everybody's name and story. "He knew when people were hurting." Finnergan was 90.

Larry J. Whittier

Aug. 23: His long tenure as College of Lake County cross country coach earned him a spot in the school's Hall of Fame. He was 81. He served at CLC from 1972 to 1999 as a counselor, instructor and cross country coach. Whittier's impact on the cross country program was undeniable. CLC runners qualified for national competitions in each of the nine years he coached both the men's and women's teams. His teams won seven consecutive Skyway Conference championships. He won multiple state and conference coach of the year honors. "He always made people feel at ease," said Richard Anderson, a longtime CLC board member. "He was very nice, very affable, very approachable."

Paul Dietzen

Aug. 24: A Wauconda Fire District trustee and member of the Cuba Township board, he died at 59 after he'd been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Cuba Township Supervisor Mike Kainz said he "brought a deep understanding of the local political and environmental challenges" to the board. "To me, he embodied the meaning of civic duty."

John F. Cuneo Jr.

Aug. 30: The last Illinois link to one of the most influential and philanthropic Lake County families of the 20th century. He was 88. John F. Cuneo Jr. grew up in the family's lavish mansion in Vernon Hills, and donated the estate to Loyola University in 2009. The Cuneo name remains on the medical school, classrooms and scholarships. An "old-fashioned," "opinionated" and, at times, "a cantankerous kind of guy," Cuneo donated well over $100 million to Loyola, said the Rev. Michael Garanzini, the university's president until 2015. "For John, continuing the charity of the family was one of his highest motives. He was always giving," Garanzini said.

Thomas M. Schippers

Sept. 6: Presiding judge of the Lake County Civil Division. Schippers, of Mundelein, was first elected circuit judge by voters in November 2012 after being appointed an associate judge in March 2007. He also worked as an assistant Lake County state's attorney, an assistant Illinois attorney general and a senior investigative counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives. "Tom's keen intellect, sense of humor, guidance and support will be missed," Chief Judge Jay W. Ukena said. "He was a man of great faith and a devoted public servant." Shippers died of cancer at age 59.

Susan Loving Gravenhorst

Sept. 15: Served a decade on the Lake County Board starting in 2002, but also was the first Republican woman elected to statewide office in Illinois when she ran successfully for the University of Illinois board in 1984. Gravenhorst, of Lake Bluff, was remembered by county board colleagues as a gracious, compassionate woman who was dedicated to public service. She volunteered with many groups. "She was invariably old-school gracious in all that she did," County Board Member Steve Carlson said. "Her grace, style and wisdom will be missed." She was 87.

John Marienthal

Sept. 21: The longest-serving trustee in the history of Buffalo Grove (1975-2002), he lent his financial expertise during a time of exponential growth. He was 73. "Whenever there were controversial decisions, he always had the best interest in mind," said Sidney Mathias, who served alongside Marienthal. "John was a populist," said former Trustee Jeffrey Berman. "He strived to be the voice of the residents whenever issues arose."

Robert Zengeler

Nov. 13: Patriarch of the family business, A.W. Zengeler Cleaners. He was 89. He started making deliveries when the school day was over at Lake Forest High School. Over the years, he earned a spotless reputation among family, employees and customers. Zengeler was a resident of the Wauconda-Mundelein area since the 1970s. Tom Zengeler said his father put the loyalty of his customers before monetary considerations. He devoted himself to his community, giving to numerous church organizations and sports teams. He also was a charter member of the Libertyville Rotary Club. "He was always meticulous," Tom Zengeler said of his father.