OBITUARIES
15
to Owatonna and eventually Minneapolis. While working at Stewart-Warner, she met a traveling salesman by the name of Donald Misic, who was from Chicago. They did not Mildred (Mil) V. Misic hit it off at first, but eventually Don wooed her with many letters and dates when he was of DeKalb, passed in town. away on December They were married on May 24, 1958 and 27, 2021. Mil was born Febru- lived in Chicago for two years before moving to Arlington Heights. In 1960 Kristi and 1962 ary 23, 1928, in Truman, Minnesota. She Mark were born. During the early years of motherhood, Mil stayed home with her chilis preceded in death dren, but she was getting bored and decided by her parents, George and Ida (Koehler) to attend community college and earned her Wittrock; by her siblings Eldor, Elmer, and Associates degree in Journalism from Harper Herbert; and her husband Donald M. Misic. She is survived by her daughter Kristina (Kris- College in Palatine. As a lifelong lover of words, she loved writti) Misic and Mark Misic. Mil is also survived ing and took additional courses in Creative by her sister-in-law Joyce (Misic) Hauskey, Writing and wrote several short stories. In and her niece Linda (Hauskey) Cullen (Ed), nephew James Hauskey (Karen), and nephew the meantime, she decided to go back to work in 1972. She signed on with temporary Michael Wittrock (Debbie). employment agencies and loved the chalMil grew up in Truman, Minnesota and lenge of being sent to different offices and attended a one-room parochial school and learned in German and English. She attended learning new things. She learned to use the latest technology at these jobs and was nevTruman High School and upon graduation er afraid to try new things. Most of the jobs moved to the big city of Mankato to live ended with a job offer, but she declined and with her cousins. She stayed 5 years and worked various secretarial jobs. Her drive for continued going on different assignments. One temporary job she did accept a independence and improvement moved her permanent position with, the American
Vetenenary Medical Association. She worked for the convention planning manager and her organizational skills, attention to detail, and professionalism were well regarded by her boss and the association. Every year she would attend the convention and run the office. This allowed her to travel and she got to meet celebrities too– Betty White and Morris the Cat. In the 1980s, the Chicago Tribune added a section to their editorial page called the Observer. This was where readers could write short pieces about any topic. Mil submitted her first piece, A Rip Van Secretary Returns, and it was published on June 30, 1982. Two weeks later her second letter was published and she continued getting letters published for the next 30 years. Working full-time and writing did not fill all of her time. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing and decorating. She also continued to embrace new technologies and with the able coaching from her daughter mastered everything from watching streaming services to taking photos with her iPAD when she was in her 90s. In 1991, Don and Mil moved to Saddlebrook Farms, which was a retirement community for 55 and older. They loved living there and making many new friends. Mil had some
of her writings included in the community newsletter, as well. In 2005, Don and Mil moved to DeKalb to be closer to Mark and Kristi. They enjoyed the small town and friendly people they met and Mil continued submitting her letters to the editor at the Tribune. She then started submitting letters to the Daily Chronicle as well and created a local following. All total, she had over 330 pieces published in various publications. Over the years, there were many people who talked to her about her writing and she was thrilled to hear from them. Some even called or sent her letters after searching for her address to express how much they enjoyed a piece. It gave her the impetus to keep writing and she was always buoyed by seeing her name in print. The family would like to thank her fans from over the years who took the time to compliment her and tell her how much they enjoyed her writing. You were a ray of sunshine for her. We would also like to thank the Oakcrest staff and caregivers for their excellent care for the past two months and the previous 11 years while she lived there. She enjoyed all the people she met, friends she made, and opportunities to tell a joke or two.
LUKE MORTON, JR.
Brian Morton, Lori Morton, Karley Power Lanan, BK Power and Meredith Lanan; several first cousins; special cousin, Michelle Martin and Breanna; step-brothers, David (Wanda) Hill and Tyrone Griffin; special friends, Harold Rorex family, Sam Halsted family, Pat and Tim Casey family, Steve Taylor family, Jim Rossi family, Linda Gilbreath family, Larry Hammond family, Robert Carter family, Dan Carney family; Lee Bobo family, Cliff Eaton family, Norm Marion, Buzz Robinson; all his fellow Sycamore Police officers and his special puppies, Tobey, Bandit, Bugsy and Toto. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Phillana Morton Beliveau; sister, Lucille Morton and nephew, Jason Morton. His visitation will be on Sunday, Jan. 2nd from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Butala Funeral
Home in Sycamore with a police presentation. A military service will begin at 1:30 PM. His funeral service will start at 4:00 PM with Rev. Stephen Persson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family in care of the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178. To sign the online guest book, go to www. ButalaFuneralHomes.com
Born: February 23, 1928 in Truman, MN Died: December 27, 2021 in DeKalb, IL
Born: March 26, 1945 in Chicago, IL Died: December 25, 2021 in DeKalb, IL Luke Morton, Jr., 76, of Sycamore, IL died Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, IL. He was born on March 26, 1945 in Chicago to Luke Morton, Sr. and Teola (Hurley) Morton. He married Patricia A. Lanan on February 3, 1979 in Sycamore.
Luke was a veteran of the U.S. Marines. He met his wife, Pat, while they worked at Anaconda Wire and Cable Co. He was a chauffer for the company for many years. Luke was a police officer with the City of Sycamore, retiring after 33 years of service. He and his wife were owners of BFF Livery in Sycamore from 1986-1992. Survivors include his wife, Pat Morton; son, Jerome (Monica) Frazier; grandchildren, Amber, Jerome, Jr., Ashley, Shanette and daughter, Sharrod, Adam and son and Aryn and son; brother, Mose Morton; son-in-law, Jarrod Beliveau; mother-in-law, Beatrice Korn; 2 brothers-in-law, Bud Lanan (Vivian) and Jerry Lanan (Kathyrn); nieces and nephews, Kevin (Tina) Harris, Bridget (Stacey) Allen, Andrew Morton, Marlawn Morton, Debra Ann Bradley,
MIDWEEK The MidWeek / MidWeeknews.com • Wednesday, Jan 5, 2022
MILDRED (MIL) MISIC
