Isabel M. Barry, 98, 50-year Oak Park resident, educator
Isabel M. Barry, 98, of Oak Park, died of pneumonia Oct. 15 at Oak Park Rush Hospital. Born in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Isabel and James Dean and the sister of the late James.
Isabel, a graduate of Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College, now National Louis University, and Chicago Teachers College, was an early childhood primary teacher.
In the early 1930s, Ms. Barry owned her own pre-school in the Kenwood and South Shore communities of Chicago. In 1933, she married the late Howard J. Barry, who covered sports for the Chicago Tribune.
In the 1960s, Ms. Barry returned to education as a kindergarten teacher at St. Bernardine School in Forest Park and served as an instructor at Loyola University Chicago, where she helped train the first group of Head Start teachers.
Ms. Barry was an Oak Park resident for 50 years. She served as president of the Fenwick High School Mothers’ Club in 1956. Earlier in her life she was an active participant in the St. Catherine of Siena Altar and Rosary Society, West End Catholic Women’s Club, Theresians and St.Edmund’s Women’s Club. She was a charter member of the Oak Park French Club and a member of the Friends Book Club.
She is survived by her two sons, Richard of Chicago and Lauren of Seattle, and daughter Barbara of Palatine. Ms. Barry had a grandson, 9 granddaughters and 21 great-grandchildren.
Vivian L. Propps, 84, Lifelong Oak Park resident
Vivian L. Propps, 84, a lifetime resident of Oak Park, died Sept. 20 at Rush Oak Park Hospital. She was a 50-year member of Harvard Congregational Church of Oak Park. She enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles, animals, and spending time with her family and many friends.
She is survived by her daughters Nancy Canning of Oak Park and Diane Bruner of Oakman, Alabama; grandchildren Dawn Bruner, Jamie Bruner; and a great-grandchild, Karley Grace Bruner, all of Alabama. Mrs. Propps was preceded in death by her husband Eugene.
Kenneth J. Douglas, 85, OPRF grad, former Dean Foods CEO
Kenneth J. Douglas, 85, of River Forest, died of pneumonia Wednesday, Oct. 10, in La Grange Memorial Hospital.
After his birth in Benton Harbor, his family moved to Oak Park and Mr. Douglas graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School, then moved on to the University of Illinois. During college, he enlisted in the Navy, becoming a radio operator. After his service, he enrolled in Kent Law School, graduating first in his class in 1950.
Mr. Douglas then briefly worked for the FBI, but left to work for Dean Foods. He was named CEO and chairman of the board in 1970, retiring as chairman in 1987.
He served on the board of directors of American National Bank, Centel Corp., National Can Co., Richardson Electronics and Andrew Corp. He was also chairman of the board of West Suburban Hospital Medical Center and the Economic Club of Chicago and was on the board of the Milk Industry Foundation and the Illinois Institute of Technology and Chicago-Kent College of Law.
He is survived by his wife Ann, his son Andy, his daughter Connie Doran, and two grandchildren.
Bernice M. Cooke, 86, Longtime Oak Parker, bird lover
Bernice M. Cooke, 86, who lived in Oak Park from the 1970s on, died Oct. 7 in Northlake. She was born in 1921 in Chicago, and was a purchasing manager. She loved all pets, especially birds.
Ms. Cooke is survived by nephews John, Tom, Peter and Michael Cooke; nieces Mary Leah Gonzalez, Kathy Nicholls, Terri Borzym and Penny Georgakis; and many grand-nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters, Frank Cooke, Josephine Drake, Lola Cooke, Paul Cooke, Helen Cooke, Chester Cooke and Minna Cooke.
Robert E. Edwards, 83, Longtime Oak Parker, Army veteran
Robert Earl Edwards, “Booster Bob,” died on Oct. 5, 2007 at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood. He was born on Jan. 25, 1924 in Mississippi.
Mr. Edwards served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of the Big Morning Star M.B. Church and the Masons. He enjoyed playing the guitar, motorcycles, computers, engines and automobile restoration.
He is survived by his wife Margie; his children Bobbie Jean, Doris, Catherine, Freddie, Silvia, Robert, Kenneth, Regina, Jeanell and Anthony; brothers Frank Edwards and Willie B. Cooperwood; 28 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Gertrude A. Grossman, 94
Gertrude A. “Trudel” Grossman, nee Adler, age 94. Beloved wife of the late Leonard J. Grossman; loving mother of Leonard A. and Raymon A. Grossman; cherished grandmother of Aryn Lenn Froum, Sarah Rae, Maris Ellan and Seth Grossman; proud great-grandmother of Gabrielle and Samuel Lior Froum; dear aunt of Mari Ann Schwartzenberg; mother-in-law of Sally Grossman.
