Ernest W. Ritchie, 83, a resident of the Holmstad Retirement Community in Batavia and formerly of Wheaton passed away Monday July 26, 2010 at Delnor-Community in Geneva. He was born September 15, 1926 in Newark, NJ the son of Ernest and Hazel (Ward) Ritchie. He was united in marriage to Jeanette Guerin on May 15, 1948 in Bloomfield, NJ. Ernest and his wife Jeanette moved from New Jersey in 1966 to Wheaton, IL. They joined the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton and have been members since they arrived in 1966. He was involved in the Church with many committees and had served as an Elder. He was employed by Lucent Technologies as a construction manager for many years prior to his retirement. In his spare time he enjoyed woodworking and had a passion for boats, sailing and model trains. In 2004, they moved to the Holmstad Retirement Community in Batavia. He kept his involvement at the Holmstad in many committees and enjoyed using his handyman talents to help other with their projects. He was a dedicated father who instilled strong ethics and Christian values which will be carried on. He is survived by his children Greg Ritchie of Naperville, Glen (Carol) Ritchie of West Chicago, Rev. Deborah (Doug) Pollex of Stonefort, IL, and David (Laura) Ritchie of Aurora; five grandchildren Jake and Sarah Pollex, Amanda, and Colin and Ellis Ritchie. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Jeanette. A memorial service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, July 30, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL, where visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service. A private interment will be in Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church 715 North Carlton Street Wheaton, IL 60187-4098.

Rafaela “Mamá” Cardenas, 93 of Batavia passed away Saturday, July 24, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Rafaela was born on October 24, 1916 in Valtierrilla GTO, Mexico. She was one of 14 children. She came to the United States on September 18, 1955 for her daughter’s wedding and has since then made Batavia her permanent residence. Rafaela worked at Dukane Corporation in St. Charles for 26 years. She was co-owner of the Fox Gardens Nightclub in North Aurora where she was known as “Tia”. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church. Along with being a White Sox baseball fan her favorite pastimes included crocheting afghans, watching the news and Wheel of Fortune. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Maria Teresa and Roy Melgosa of Batavia, two sisters Victoria Valenzuela and Susana (Jesus) Martinez; a brother Enrique Cardenas; grandchildren Rosie (Patrick Kramford) Melgosa, Debbie Melgosa, Lulu (Ray) Magaña, Rick (Sandy) Melgosa, Ralph (Erin) Melgosa, Rachel (Louis) Rivera, Anna, Cynthia, Daniel, Nicholas and Michael Valenzuela; great grandchildren Ben (Missy) Garcia, Miki Garcia, Laura Neisendorf, Royana (Jesse) Towry, Lukas and Maggie Melgosa, Alex, Jacob, Sam and Will Melgosa, Selina, Lucian, and Liam Rivera; great-great grandchildren Anna and Kevin Garcia; and also survived by many other grandchildren and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Nicolas Cardenas and Catalina Razo; a son Daniel Valenzuela, and two brothers and two sisters. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL Funeral services will begin with prayers from the funeral home at 9:30 A.M. Wednesday, July 28, 2010 then departing to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 801 Oak Street North Aurora, IL. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva, IL.

Marion E. Fuller, 82, of St. Charles, passed away Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva. She was born February 2, 1928 in Jamestown, NY the daughter of Philip and Nicolina (Scarpino) Russo. She was united in marriage to Robert Fuller September 10, 1949 in Jamestown NY. Marion was a loving friend and family member. She enjoyed people and being around them. She worked her entire life and enjoyed her careers. She owned and operated the Geneva Girl, a successful dress shop in Geneva, IL from 1968 until 1994. She was also instrumental in opening and helping her husband create their new family business Sunshine Lighting Store in St. Charles. She is survived by her daughter Sandie (Tom) Vlach of Geneva; two grandchildren Robert J. (Megan) Vlach and Nicole Marie Vlach; and two great-grandchildren Madeline and Charles. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Robert Fuller and two brothers Joseph and Frank Russo. Visitation will be held 3-7 P.M. Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL Funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 26, 2010 a Moss Family Funeral Home. Interment will be held in Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva.

Donald Clement Frisk, 99, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at the Michealsen Health Center in Batavia, Illinois. He was born April 14, 1911 in Minneapolis to Emil and Esther (Samuelson) Frisk, and is preceded in death by wife Evelyn, brother Austin and sister Phyllis. He is survived by son Peter (Martha), grandchildren Sarah (Marc) Eix, Heidi (Brad) Hedberg, David (Ann-Marie) Frisk, great-grandchildren Emily, Nathan and Laura Eix, and Katie and Kirsten Hedberg, niece Meredith Anderson, and nephews Calvin Swanson, and Philip and Timothy Frisk. Donald earned a bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Minnesota, the Master of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, and continued his studies at Union Theological Seminary, New York, at Missionsskola, Lidingö, Sweden, and at the University of Chicago Divinity School. He served as pastor of Evangelical Covenant churches in New Rochelle, New York, and Princeton, Illinois, before accepting a call in 1945 to teach Systematic Theology at North Park Theological Seminary. There he served as Dean from 1961 to 1967, when he returned to his first love, teaching, until his retirement in 1978. Throughout his ministry he spoke at many church, camp and conference gatherings across the country, and helped to nurture and train a generation of Covenant pastors. He authored several articles and books for the Covenant denomination. In 1986 Donald and Evelyn moved to the Holmstad in Batavia. Donald has left us a great legacy, but we know that all blessings are by God’s grace alone, and to Him belongs the glory. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to north Park Theological Seminary in thanksgiving for his life among us. A graveside funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 26, 2010 at West Batavia Cemetery, in Batavia.

Lonnie George Raatz of Aurora, Illinois, formerly of Chester, Nebraska, the son of Martin and Dixie Raatz was born on March 22, 1958 in Belleville, Kansas. He departed this life on Friday, July 16th, 2010. Lonnie grew up in Chester and graduated from Chester-Hubbell High School in 1976. He attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and graduated in 1980 with an accounting degree. He married Brenda Sonksen on July 5th, 1980. This marriage was blessed with the birth of two children, Derek Allen and Ashley Marie. After graduation from college and marriage, Lonnie and Brenda moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Lonnie was employed by Beatrice Foods. Lonnie later received his CPA and MBA from Northern Illinois University. After the liquidation of Beatrice Foods, Lonnie moved on and was hired by World’s Finest Chocolate, where he dedicated himself to the company’s success. He eventually reached the head of the accounting division. Lonnie was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan until the day he died. He also enjoyed camping with his family, attending his son’s many athletic events, and enthusiastically following his daughter’s many academic pursuits. He was a notorious tinker and carpenter – mostly successful, and always trying. He was very dedicated to whatever he undertook. He is preceded in death by his father, Martin Raatz. Lonnie is survived by his immediate family of Brenda (Aurora, Ill.), Derek (Aurora, Ill.), and Ashley (Dekalb, Ill.); his mother, Dixie Raatz (Chester, NE); his brother Russ and family – Michele, Nicole, & Connor (Lincoln, NE). A memorial open house will be held 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. August 7, 2010 at 3179 Preakness Drive Aurora, IL; please RSVP to 630-707-9999.

Marilyn Gertrude Robinson of Batavia, Illinois, died suddenly on Tuesday, July 14, 2010 aged 78 years. Born in Eureka, Illinois on December 25, 1931 to Dale S. Robinson and Altjen (Heiken) Robinson, Marilyn was preceded in death by a sister, Winifred Robinson and a brother, Dale H. Robinson. She attended schools in El Paso, Illinois, and graduated from El Paso High School in 1949. She received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Illinois State Normal University in 1960 and a master’s degree in Business Education from Northern Illinois University in 1966 and she later took an additional year of education courses at Northern. Marilyn taught Business Education at Tower Hill High School, Tower Hill, Illinois for four years, at Cornell High School, Cornell, Illinois for two years and at Batavia High School, Batavia, Illinois for 22 years, from where she retired in 1988. Following her retirement she worked for several years as secretary to the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence and coordinated the Batavia Public Library Writers’ Workshop for 17 years, helping a number of fledgling authors get their works published. She volunteered at the Batavia Historical Society and had served on the board of directors since 1990 and as the society’s historian. Her many free-lance writing projects included historical columns for the Windmill Herald, a Batavia newspaper. After it ceased publication she wrote weekly historical columns for the Kane County Chronicle for four years. In 1989 Marilyn wrote Little Town in a Big Woods, a children’s history of Batavia, now in its third edition. The school district has used the book in its classrooms ever since and Marilyn regularly visited with third graders. She has written several other local history books, including The Sidewalks of Elburn. For her many contributions to Batavia she was named Citizen of the Year in 1995. Her survivors include an adopted family – Jeff and Elizabeth Spalding, Frances Spalding Perry and Julia Spalding, many close friends and associates, and several first cousins. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 18, from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 South Batavia Avenue, Batavia. A celebration of life will begin at 7:00 P.M. where all friends are welcome to share their favorite story or memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence P.O. Box 1003 Batavia, IL 60510.

Mildred D. Bailey, 83, of Batavia went home to be with her Lord Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at her residence in Batavia. She was born March 30, 1927 in Kewanee, IL the daughter of John and Judell Franklin. She was united in marriage to Roy Clark Bailey July 4, 1947 in Cambridge IL. Mildred donated her time and talents to the City of Batavia in many ways. Most notably Mildred and her husband Roy helped organize and run the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and the Clothes Closet for many years. Mildred has been co-chairman of the Access Toy Drive also for many years. She is a member of Trinity Chapel Church of God in Christ. And in 2000 Mildred and her husband Roy were recognized as the Citizens of the Year. She is survived by her son Roy (Jeanne) Bailey of Batavia, a granddaughter Brittany Bailey of Batavia and a grandson Stephen Bailey of Yorkville; and one sister Lucille Riddick or North Aurora, IL. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Roy; four brother John, Tillman, Edward and Raymond Carter and four sisters Ruby Carter, Rose Watts, Erma Wilson and Virginia Franklin. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Friday, July 16, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Trinity Chapel Church of God in Christ 404 Lathem Street Batavia, IL. She will lie in state from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at Church. Rev. Charles Matthews will officiate. Interment will follow the service in River Hills Memorial Park Batavia. The family request memorials to be sent to U.S. Bank 808 West State Street Geneva, IL 60134 c/o Mildred Bailey Memorial Fund.

Visitation will be held 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave Batavia, IL. A funeral service will be held immediately following visitation at 5:00 PM.

Dr. George Ware, 86, of Batavia, passed away July 4, 2010 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago. He was born April 27, 1924 in Avery, OK, the son of Charles and Mildred (nee Aschelman) Ware. Dr. George Ware grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, receiving a B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. He received a Ph.D. degree in forest ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He attributed his interest in trees and urban landscapes to early awareness of the need for shade, greenery, and other landscape amenities in the often drought-plagued towns of Oklahoma, Kansas, and other areas of the Great Plains. He taught botany, ecology, dendrology, and conservation at universities in Oklahoma and Louisiana. He joined the staff at the Morton Arboretum in 1968 as Dendrologist, becoming the Research Director in 1978. He retired in 1995 but continued his work as Research Associate at the Arboretum until his 85th birthday. His special research areas were selection and development of better urban trees, particularly those that can tolerate soil adversities. He has developed numerous hybrid Asian elms that resemble American elms but are tolerant of Dutch elm disease. He has also developed new hybrid maples, planetrees, poplars and mulberries that show promise as trees for use in towns and cities. He has made five trips to China and three to the former Soviet Union seeking new trees for American cities. In the fall of 1990, he led a group of Morton Arboretum botanists and horticulturists on a plant exploration trip to northern China, collecting seeds and specimens. Numerous contacts were established with Chinese botanists and foresters. Beginning in 1990, seed lots of elm species new to North America were received yearly greatly enlarging the Arboretum’s elm collection. In 1995, he accompanied a USDA-sponsored expedition to China, seeking additional information on elms. Dr. Ware is a recipient of a Special Achievement Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation and a Gold Seal Award from the National Council of State Garden Clubs. In 1994, he received the American Forests’ Urban Forestry Research Award. In 1997, he received the Hutchinson Medal from the Chicago Botanic Garden. In 1998, he received the Norman J. Colman Award from the American Nursery and Landscape Association. Also, the Illinois Arborist Association presented him its highest honor, an Award of Merit. In 2005, he received from Openlands its Conservation Leadership Award. In 2006 he was appointed Honorary Director for Openlands. Dr. Ware was awarded the L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research by the International Society of Arboriculture in 2008. In 2000, his biography was included in the Millennium Edition of Who’s Who in America; it has been included in subsequent editions. In 2001, he was presented an Award of Merit, the highest honor of the American Public Gardens Association. In 2002, he was awarded the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, the highest honor of the American Horticultural Society. He is a Past-President of the Illinois Arborist Association. His numerous publications deal primarily with the selection and development of “tough trees for tough places,” with an emphasis on the importance of soils, root systems, and geographic origins of trees. He had an enduring interest in developing better trees for towns and cities of the Midwest and Great Plains. His article “Trees” appeared in the recently published The Encyclopedia of Chicago. He is survived by his wife June (nee Gleason), four sons Charles David (Constance) of Batavia, Daniel Burr Ridge, Patrick (Lisa) of Loveland, OH, and John (Irasema) Ware of Batavia; three grandchildren Jessica, Alexis and Kevin; and a sister Geraldine Fisher of Medicine Park, OK. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, July 9, 2010 at United Methodist Church of Batavia, 8 North Batavia Ave., Batavia, IL. Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Morton Arboretum Development Office Tribute Program, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Illinois 60532-1293.

Christine Peterson, 56, of Crystal Lake, passed away June 27, 2010 at the Harry Ekstam Assisted Living Center in Batavia. She was born in Geneva, IL on September 16, 1953, the daughter of Carl and Ruth (nee Rossman) Witschonke. For the past fifteen years, Chris had been working with students in the Crystal Lake School Districts. The last ten years, she had been an aide at Crystal Lake South High School. She loved working with her students. Her relationship with them kept her spirits high throughout her fight with cancer. Taken away from her family to soon, her spirit remains in their hearts forever. Her incredible strength and faith is an inspiration to all who knew her. Her smile will be missed. Chris is survived by her children, Laurie (Greg) Opaczewski, Lynn Peterson, Paul Peterson Jr., and Phillip Peterson; her mother, Ruth Witschonke; and brothers Carl (Carolyn) Witschonke III and Ross (Patricia) Witschonke. She is preceded in death by her father, Carl Witschonke. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Moss Family Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Avenue, in Batavia. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 950 Hart Road, in Batavia, where she will lie in state from 10A.M. until the time of service. Rev. Donald Moll officiating. Interment in West Batavia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Chris’ memory may be directed to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Chicagoland Area Affiliate, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60631.