7 minute read
Obituaries
from MidWeek_010522
by Shaw Media
MILDRED (MIL) MISIC
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, 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
Mildred (Mil) V. Misic of DeKalb, passed away on December 27, 2021. Mil was born February 23, 1928, in Truman, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Ida (Koehler) Wittrock; by her siblings Eldor, Elmer, and Herbert; and her husband Donald M. Misic. She is survived by her daughter Kristina (Kristi) Misic and Mark Misic. Mil is also survived by her sister-in-law Joyce (Misic) Hauskey, and her niece Linda (Hauskey) Cullen (Ed), nephew James Hauskey (Karen), and nephew Michael Wittrock (Debbie).
Mil grew up in Truman, Minnesota and attended a one-room parochial school and learned in German and English. She attended Truman High School and upon graduation moved to the big city of Mankato to live with her cousins. She stayed 5 years and worked various secretarial jobs. Her drive for independence and improvement moved her 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 hit it off at first, but eventually Don wooed her with many letters and dates when he was in town.
They were married on May 24, 1958 and lived in Chicago for two years before moving to Arlington Heights. In 1960 Kristi and 1962 Mark were born. During the early years of motherhood, Mil stayed home with her children, but she was getting bored and decided to attend community college and earned her Associates degree in Journalism from Harper College in Palatine.
As a lifelong lover of words, she loved writing and took additional courses in Creative Writing and wrote several short stories. In the meantime, she decided to go back to work in 1972. She signed on with temporary employment agencies and loved the challenge of being sent to different offices and learning new things. She learned to use the latest technology at these jobs and was never afraid to try new things. Most of the jobs ended with a job offer, but she declined and continued going on different assignments.
One temporary job she did accept a 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.
Provided photo The American Legion Auxiliary of Sycamore, Post 99, recently donated $1,000 to the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commission. Tammy Anderson, veteran and superintendent of the commission, received the check to use for needed items for veterans that are not covered under the DCVAC program. Pictured (from left) are members Noel Smith and Julie Zelinsky and Ann Ramer, American Legion Auxiliary president, Post 99, Sycamore.
Provided photo The Sycamore Middle School Interact Rotary Club helped prepare meals at the Suter Company’s “Feed My Starving Children” event in November in Sycamore.
Provided photo DeKalb Chamber of Commerce staff, ambassadors and board members, along with community members recently welcomed Dekalb Tattoo Company to its new location at 817 W. Lincoln Highway, Unit G, in DeKalb. The studio offers custom tattoos, piercings, quality jewelry and art. Local artists’ work is featured in the studio’s art gallery. Learn more at www.dekalbtattoo.studio or call 815-901-0024.
Provided photo Members of the Sandwich Lions Club collected donations for the Toys for Tots program at their December meeting. Pictured are Sandwich Lions Club members along with Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots representative Bill Meyer (back row, left).
