The passing of Tom O'Donnell (67-69)
| | | | Thomas A. O'Donnell of St. Charles A funeral Mass for Thomas A. O'Donnell, 60,
will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, at St. John Neumann Church, 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles, with Fr. Donald Gantley
OSM celebrant. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Norris
Funeral Home, 100 S. Third St. (three blocks west of the Fox River, one block south of Route 64), St. Charles. Born Dec. 10,
1946, in Chicago, the son of the late John and Helen (nee Daly) O'Donnell, he passed away Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, after a
courageous four-year battle with cancer, at home with his family by his side. He was a kind and honest
man, who will forever be in our hearts. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and his master's
degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb with honors. Thomas served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He had been
a detective with the Illinois State Police for 28 years, retiring in 1999. Following retirement, he taught at Waubonsee Community
College in Sugar Grove. He served on the Joliet Diocese Committee for several years. Tom was an avid reader and enjoyed playing
the guitar, gardening and hiking, especially in Colorado. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 39 years, Nancy
(nee Mosebach); his beloved children, Sean (Paulina) O'Donnell of Villa Park and Laurie (Travis) Anderson of Geneva; his sister,
Patricia (Thomas) Hill of Elmhurst; two brothers, Kevin O'Donnell of San Francisco and Dennis (Deborah) O'Donnell of Elmhurst;
his adoring grandchildren, Steven, Camilla and Thomas O'Donnell, and Kelly and Maura Anderson, with another grandchild expected
in February; his mother-in-law, Evelyn (the late Edward) Mosebach of Hillside; his brothers-in-law, Robert (the late Cathy)
Schiller of St. Charles and Paul (Alice) Mosebach of Darien, his sister-in-law Jean Mosebach of Elmhurst; and many nieces
and nephews. Contributions in Tom's memory may be made to Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, SD 57770-2100
or St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT 59004-1001. For information, 630-584-2000 or www.NorrisFH.com.
Published in the
Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 11/30/2007. | | |
Tom's Message 09/07
Presumptive Disability Benefits for Certain Groups of Veterans
Chester D. Karasinski USS Benjamin Stoddert shipmate. He was my penpal
for over 35 years and I couldn't have asked for a better friend. Chet retired
as a BM2 in the reserves in Mt. Holy, NJ. Chet passed away in April of 2008 from an operation
on his back. He'll be missed and I have lost a great friend. Don "Bubba"
Black MAC (sw) retired 1989
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Herm Chambers beloved Carmen passed from this earthly life
this morning (5-15-09) at 0430. We know that she is already planning the greatest "reunion". Condolences
may be sent to: 220 Meister Way Sacremento,
CA 96819 Notes from Herm on Carmen's services
I am attempting
to reach as many people as I can, as rapidly as I can, to provide you with information concerning Carmen's last
rites. It is addressed to many whom I know cannot attend any of the services simply for information; to the
leaders and members of the many groups and organizations to which we belonged or participated with in their activities;
and, lastly--probably should be firstly, to attempt to get a head count of those who will be able to attend the
reception after the church services. For those who are unaware, C. passed
away at home on May 15, after battling ovarian cancer for 8 years. She had run through the repertoire of chemo agents
available for treatment of her disease. There was nothing left. Carmen
Apodaca-Chambers was truly a "people person" and made many friends over the years. Popularly
known as Appy during her 36 years at Sutter Community Hospitals of Sacramento (the last 25 as the Unit
Secretary of the first Renal Dialysis Unit established in central California in 1970). After our coming together, we became
involved in many Scottish organizations through my lineage and actively participated in their associated activities,
Scottish Highland games (Clan Cameron Association), St. Andrew's Society of Sacramento, Loyal Scots of Sacramento,
guests of the Caledonian Club of Sacramento annual Tartan Ball). Also, a much looked forward to event, the the annual
reunion of crew members and their families of the guided missile destroyer, USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG-22),
my last duty station prior to my retirement from the U. S. Navy, (C. was not my wife during my Navy days;
that came much later but she enjoyed the reunion events and meeting the people, many of whom I had served with.). Until
her illness prevented it, we also belonged to and regularly attended the monthly dinner meetings as members of Placer County
Council, Navy League of the United States (NLUS), in Auburn, CA. That we traveled a lot would be an understatement.
At her request, her remains were cremated and will be interred at a private service
in the new Veteran's Aministration Sacramento Valley National Cemetery where
we shall be together again at some future date. Arrangements
for local rembrances have been made by her daughters, Flo and Liz Apodaca and their respective families.
(Carmen and her daughters retained the surname Apodaca, though after our marriage, C. was known
as Carmen Chambers to our mutual friends and acquaintences and as Carmen Apodaca-Chambers
to the U. S. and California State governments). One last pitch. Breast cancer, through the Susan Komen Foundation,
gets a terrific play for research funds. Not so the more insidious ovarian cancer. Oft-times the symptoms are
mis-diagnosed, especially in older women, which it attacks more frequently. Vague symptoms, such as persistent indigestion,
bloating, etc., occur, years in advance of detection, as in Carmen's case. By the time it is diagnosed, it's usually
too late to effect a cure, again, with Carmen, this was true. So, in lieu of flowers, if you see fit to do so, the family
would appreciate a donation in memory of Carmen Apodaca-Chambers, indicated in the memo section of your check;
and made payable to and mailed to NOCC - RESEARCH, P. O. BOX 2125, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-2125. NOCC is
the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. If any questions, plese call or email. Aye Herm
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