Ted Petry dies; last known witness to historic 1942 U. of C. nuclear reaction
Ted Petry was the last known surviving witness to the first controlled nuclear reaction, which took place in 1942 at the University of Chicago.
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I write obituary stories for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Aretha Franklin, ‘Queen of Soul,’ Rock Hall of Famer, dead at 76 of cancer
Aretha Franklin, who changed the face of rock, soul and R&B with classics like “Think” and “Respect,” has died of pancreatic cancer at 76.
Jack Vadas, bait shop owner who fought to protect perch, Lake Michigan, has died
Jack Vadas, a bait shop owner on Chicago’s East Side who fought to protect perch and was a ”major figure in Lake Michigan fisheries,” has died at 86.
‘Moe’ Clancy, dead at 56, ran North Side bar, clashed with ‘The Simpsons’ studio
Maureen “Moe” Clancy, owner of Moe’s Tavern in Logan Square, has died of breast cancer at 56.
Doo-wop singer Erma Drew of The Drew-Vels, dead at 71, had a hit with ‘Tell Him’
Erma Drew sang in church with her sisters growing up in Evanston. Their break came when their mother, a maid, took a tape to her boss, a record exec.
Val Camilletti dies at 78; ran Oak Park record store loved by music fans
For 46 years, Val’s halla Records — overflowing with thousands of LPs, cassettes and eight-tracks – has been an audiophile’s portal to another world.
Susan Jackson Keig dead at 99; trailblazing graphic designer worked for 72 years
“Every woman practicing design in Chicago owes Susan Jackson Keig a debt of gratitude,” said graphic designer Rick Valicenti.
Michael Victor Sr., former Schaumburg postmaster, dead at 66
“The joke in our family was that his mom changed his diaper, gave him his bottle and he went to work,” Barb Victor said of her husband Michael.
Anna Novak Heller survived Holocaust with luck, forged papers and daring
Holocaust survivor Anna Novak Heller said, “To survive is meaningful, because I have a family, because they will carry on for the rest.”
Rev. Jim Colleran, ‘worker-priest’ beloved by Pilsen parishioners, dead at 80
Rev. Jim Colleran, who blistered immigration sweeps 42 years ago and organized pickets and boycotts to help his Pilsen parishioners, has died at 80.
Funeral Saturday for Tatiana Mirutenko, killed on belated honeymoon in Mexico
For Tatiana Mirutenko, Mexico City trip was a delayed honeymoon, “a dream come true.” Killed there by a stray bullet, her wake is Friday in Chicago.
John D. Crededio, whose film studio brought Hollywood to Chicago, dead at 72
John D. Crededio, founder of Chicago Studio City, has died at 72. The studio was used for TV shows, commercials and movies.
Clinton Ghent, dancer, choreographer and ‘Soul Train’ host, has died at 78
Clinton Ghent grew up in Bronzeville with “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius, found dancers for and later hosted the show. He has died at 78.
Designer Reginald Thomas, dead at 61, made Chicago fashionistas look fabulous
Chicago designer Reginald Thomas didn’t aim just for timeless. “If it wasn’t fabulous,” said fellow designer Jermikko Shoshanna, “it wasn’t Reginald.”
Doris Ivy’s second chance at life molded Jesse White’s views on organ donations
Jesse White’s sister has died — 27 years after her life-saving kidney transplant made secretary of state a champion of organ donation. Services set.
