Angela G. Paterakis, a River Forest resident for over 50 years and an instructor at the Art Institute, died on May 19, 2013. She was a consummate mentor who established a network of arts educators to serve generations of Illinois school children.

Phyllis Ann Erickson, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on May 9, 2013 at the Bethesda Home in Chicago. Born on July 3, 1926 at Westside Hospital in Chicago to Dr. Iver A. and Helen M. Oveson, she attended Horace Mann School, Oak Park and River Forest High School, completed two years at Dennison, and received a teaching degree from the National College of Education in Evanston.

Michael Edward Hawkins, of Oak Park, Berwyn, and other parts of the Chicago area, died on May 10, 2013. Born on Oct. 21, 1936 to Jason and Laura (Ryan) Hawkins, he graduated in 1954 from St. Mel High School, where he was a member of the City of Chicago High School Basketball championship team. He attended Loyola University where he later served as the dean of men.

Eugene J. Liss, 92, a one-year resident of the Oak Park Arms and a longtime resident of Oak Park, died on May 12, 2013 at Rush Oak Park Hospital.

John LaMontaine, 93, who was raised in Oak Park, died at his Hollywood, Calif., home on April 29, 2013. Born in Chicago on March 17, 1920, he was raised in Oak Park, graduated from OPRF High School in 1938, and attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., on a four-year scholarship, graduating in 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to '46, and after his Navy service, he started a career as a pianist.

Alice M. Hutchins, 97, a former resident of Oak Park from 1954-2004, died on March 22, 2013, at the Courtyard at Seasons in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Emil "Tom" Frei III, 89, an Oak Park resident since 2009, died on April 30 at home, surrounded by family and caregivers.

Mark Hadaway, 59, a former 20-year resident of Oak Park and a nine-month resident of Sugar Grove, died at his home on April 20, 2013.

Sandra Hagen Meade, 63, a former Oak Park resident, died on March 12, 2013, at her home in Santa Rosa, Calif. She battled cancer for many years but never lost her spirit to live and love life, her family, and her work.

Carol Luella (West) Pittman, 76, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and a former longtime resident of Oak Park, died on April 18, 2013. Born on Jan. 28, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Alice (Laughead) and Carl West, she was a 1959 graduate of Drake University.