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Last Roll Call

Hi All:   It saddens me to report that my friend Alexander Kloch passed away this morning, one day short of his 80th birthday.  I was going to go out to his home and celebrate with him tomorrow.  He always enjoyed being called Emperor Ming or The Great White Hunter.  His hunting was done with a camera. The "Old Sarge" has been in ill health for some time.   Here is the schedule for the services for Alexander Kloch (Sgt. S.P.D. Retired)   Visitation at Haben Funeral Home in Skokie on Friday, December 2nd,  from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm   Services at Haben Funeral Home, Saturday, December 3rd, 10:00 am   Internment at Woodlawn Cemetery on Cermack Rd. in Forest Park, IL   In lieu of flowers, donations to Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, 1801 Maple, Evanston, IL 60208   Ron It is with deepest regret we tell you of the passing of Jack Ersfeld JOHN "JACK" G. ERSFELD (April 28, 1943 - September 25, 2011)     John “Jack” Ersfeld; 68 years old of Antioch, IL passed away Sunday September 25, 2011 at his home after a tough battle with lung and brain cancer. He was born April 28, 1943 in Chicago the son of the late Dr. John “Jack” and Genevieve (Moebius) Ersfeld. Jack proudly served in the US Army 1st Air Cav. in Vietnam. Before his retirement in 1994 he had worked for over 21 years as a patrolman for the Skokie Police Department. More recently Jack was a bus driver for the Millburn School District (he loved the kids). Jack’s first love was golf, he was also a beloved Chicago Bears fan who was at the ’85 Superbowl to watch his team to victory, and he enjoyed boating. He was a great father to all his four legged babies, and had a great sense of humor, giving nicknames to his family and close friends, like “Elmo”. On March 1, 1990 he married Diane Gray (nee Bolka) in Las Vegas, NV. Survivors include: his wife and best friend Diane; his step children: Jim “Rambo” Gray and Courtney “Bone” Gray both of Antioch; a grandson Dylan “D” Gray; two brothers Paul Ersfeld and Keith “Katesmith” (Rebecca) Ersfeld; and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter Laura “Pump” Ersfeld. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM Thursday September 29, 2011 at the STRANG FUNERAL HOME OF ANTIOCH 1055 Main St. (Rte. 83) Antioch, IL 60002. Interment with military honors will follow in Millburn Cemetery Old Mill Creek, IL. Visitation will be from 4PM until 8PM Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers; donations to Adopt-a-pet, a local animal shelter, or Police K9 unit for training or life vests are appreciated in his memory. Please sign the online guest book for Jack at www.strangfh.com It is with deep regret that we tell you that  Bob Heelan passed away, August 19th 2011. Our deepest sympathy to Bob's family and friends.  Robert Anthony Heelan, 70, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer, beloved husband and best friend of Nancy, nee Walburn; loving father of Robert (Renee) Heelan, William (Rosie) Heelan, Christine (Ralph) Harmon, Kevin (Ann Marie) Hubbard and Karalyn (David) Marselle; adored Pops of nine; dear brother, uncle and friend of many. Officer Heelan proudly served the Skokie Police Force for 29 years. Memorial Service 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 27 at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Rd., Arlington Heights. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer, 704 228th Ave., NE 254, Sammamish, WA 98074 or Odyssey Hospice, 85 W. Algonquin Rd., Ste., 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. For Info: 847-255-3520.   It is with deep regret to tell you that Steve Fivelson passed away 8/10/2011 in Arizona.  Steven A. Fivelson   |     65, of Scottsdale passed away on August 9th, 2011. Steve was the owner of Continental Mobile, Phoenix's largest Wireless provider for Metro Mobile & Alltell. His career in public service started in Skokie, IL as a volunteer fireman for the Skokie Civil Defense. He joined the Skokie Police Dept. as a patrolman and the US Marshal's Service. Moving to Phoenix over 30 years ago, he develioped the largest network of cellular retail stores in the valley. Steve joined the Maricopa Sheriff's Office Posse for 20+ years in the Patrol Div, Flew Aircraft, Communication Specialist and the Motorcycle Division. Steve passed away comfortably. Steve is survived by his wife Sonja of 30 years, his son Barry 28, his step son Shayne Lindula 43 & family and his sister Janice Robertson (John). He was blessed with hundreds of true friends. Steve's life will be celebrated on Saturday, August 13th at the home of Gail & Ronnie Goldberg, 6995 E. Monterra Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85266 (69th and Jomax) 480- 419-6222 from 3pm to 6pm, Refresments & Steve's favorites will be served. In Lieu of Flowers, Donations to Hospice of the Valley or the American Diabetes Foundation will be appreciated.     Here is a photo of Steve Fivelson with Sheriff Joe in AZ.   We are sorry to inform you that Jeanette Varallo passed away May 26th. Visitation Monday, May 30th 4 to 8 p.m. at Haben Funeral Home 8057 Niles Center Road, Skokie, IL   Funeral , Tuesday , May 31st, 9:30 a.m.  Mass, 10:00 a.m. at St. Lambert’s Church, Entombment All Saints Cemetery.     I regret to inform you of the passing of Jerome P. Burke, former, retired, Skokie Fire Chief. He was laid to rest Monday, January 24, 2011  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Educational & Research Foundation P.O. Box 7 Skokie, IL  60076 or Canine Therapy Corps 1700 W. Irving Park Road, Suite 311 Chicago, IL  60613 or Midwest Palliative & Hospice Care Center 2050 Claire Ct. Glenview, IL  60025   Please forward this to those who you feel would be interested.   Barry Ron Baran was contacted on 11/27 by Dan Zerfass, son of the late Bill Zerfass, to inform me that his mother, Jane had passed away.  Bill & Jane's grandson is a recruit on the Skokie P.D. Dan asked me to express his thanks to all of the friends of his parents.   Visitation will be Thursday, December 2, at the Strang Funeral Chapel, 410 E. Belvidere Rd., Grays Lake, IL. ( Belvidere Rd. is Rt. 120 and the Chapel is west of Route 83, on the north side of the street.) Hours of visitation will be from 9 - 11 AM, with a short service to follow and lunch afterwards.   You may want to check the Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald or the Marco Island, FL obituaries if you are unable to attend the service and wish to sign the guest book.

God Bless you all, It was a privilege to have worked with and have known you.

	11/03/2010 Ralph J. Meyer   |   Visit Guest Book Ralph J. Meyer, 84, a resident of Deming, passed away Wednesday November 3, 2010 at his home. As were his wishes, cremation will take place. Ralph was born November 18, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois to Henry C. and Elsie (Thill) Meyer. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal on May 30, 1945. Ralph was a member of the Marine Corps League and was a retired Police Officer having worked in law enforcement for many years in the Skokie, Illinois area. He is survived by his wife, Eva J. Meyer of Deming; sons, Coe D. Meyer of Denver, Colorado and Joseph D. Meyer of Chicago, Illinois; 3 brothers, 4 sisters; 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.   Ralph served from 01 April 1959-01 June 1979.

One of our friends, Ilene Haber Giangrande passed away Saturday, Sept. 25th after a long battle with cancer. Many of you may remember Ilene and her twin sister Andi. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.   It is with regret and sorrow that we inform you of the passing of retired Police Records Clerk, Margaret Quattrocchi. Marge was a Records Clerk from 091283 to 100298. Arrangements are as follows: Visitation Wednesday, March 24, 2010 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 Milwaukee Niles, IL Funeral Thursday, March 25, 2010 10:00 a.m. St. Martha's Catholic Church 8523 Georgiana Avenue Morton Grove, IL 2/17/2010  Received the following e-mail from Chuck Brzezicki regarding the passing away of his mom.   Our sympathies go out to Chuck and his family.    Ron,   Just wanted to let you know that my Mom, Mary Brzezicki, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer.  She was 79 years old.   Wake will be at Foran Funeral Home, 7300 W. Archer Ave. in Summit, Illinois (708) 458-0208 on Thursday from 1500/2100.   Funeral mass will be on Friday at 1000 hrs. at St. Rene Church 6949 W. 63rd place in Chicago, Illinois  (773) 229-8523.   In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Loyola Hospice.   Add your content here February 1, 2010  We regret to inform you that Joseph Varallo died this morning.  He was 88 years old and served from 15 Sep 1951 through 29 October 1983.  He was the Skokie Police Chief from June 1982 until his retirement.      February 2, 2010 It is with regret and sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Jeremy Marks, son to Police Officer Alan Marks.

Sadly, Alice Ann Seggling called to let us know of the passing of her youngest daughter, Janice. Janice was a very delightful young woman, with a contagious giggle and a smile that lit up her face and those around her! There is truly a new angel in Heaven.

It is with sadness to tell you about the passing of one of our former CSO’s and Police Dispatcher, John Provost John passed away suddenly July 15th. John started with SPD has a CSO Oct. 1979 and became a dispatcher May 1980, resigining Dec. 1981 to go to Willowbrook PD and then on to Wilmette PD where he attained the rank of sergant. Rosalie Brines, a close friend of John's said that while a full time supervisor in Wilmette, he attended law school and passed the Bar Exam on his first try.  When he decided to move to Nevada, he flew there and passed the bar on his first try.  He eventually became a judge and also served eight years as Chief Judge of Henderson, NV.   He was 48 years old. Rosalie Brines informed Ron Baran today, July 20th, that the memorial service in Illinois for John will be private. His remains were cremated in Nevada. There will not be an obituary notice. Anyone wishing to remember John may make a donation in his name to their favorite charity.   If you have friends of the Department who do not have computers please let them know. click here for a link to an article about John from reviewjournal.com  Thank you to Mike Ruth for finding the article!

Click on this text for a link to the Police Special.com web site mentioning Chico. A special thanks to Connie Markoutsas for the link                       SKOKIE POLICE DEPARTMENT            Special Bulletin                 May 15, 2009                                         On Friday, May 15, 2009, at 3:00 pm, Retired Skokie Police Officer Cesar (Chico) Velasquez #223 died of an apparent heart attack in West Chicago, IL, while returning from a court appearance in downtown Chicago.   Officer Velasquez began his career with the Skokie Police Department on July 9, 1980 and retired on July 31, 2000, with twenty years of service. During his career on the department, Officer Velazquez was assigned to the Metropolitan Enforcement Group, (NEMEG) undercover narcotics unit for two years. He served briefly as a detective, and then as the departments first DARE Officer.   Since his retirement from the Skokie Police Department in 2000, Officer Velazquez had taken a position on the Hainesville Police Department as a police officer and had advanced to the rank of Corporal.   Services for Chico Valazquez were held May 21st.   If you wish to express your condolences to the family a memorial guest book is being maintained on the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times or the Northwest Daily Hearld websites.

The Hainesville Police Department mourns the loss of one of its own.   CONTACT: Hainesville Police Department Sgt. Michael Gardiner 100 North Hainesville Road Hainesville, Illinois  60030 (847) 270-9111 For Immediate Release: Hainesville, Illinois, May 16, 2009 – The Hainesville Police Department is saddened by the loss of Corporal Cesar “Chico” Velazquez, age 52.  He was a highly valued member of this department and of the Village of Hainesville.  Prior to working in Hainesville, Corporal Velazquez was a police officer for the Village of Skokie for twenty years. Corporal Velazquez died of a cardiac arrest while on duty.  His distinguished career included but was not limited to undercover narcotics, investigations, youth officer, public education (DARE and Officer Friendly) programs, and patrol. Additionally, following his retirement from Skokie, Corporal Velazquez taught on the college level, provided training and leadership consulting to Illinois Police Departments, and created English as a Second Language training curriculum for Spanish speaking employees at major corporations in the Chicago metropolitan area. Corporal Velazquez is survived by his son, Victor (18), five year old daughter, Alexandria, and wife Rhonda Click on the link below for an article on Chico from the News Sun and a great picture http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1580246,5_1_WA19_HAINESPO_S1.article

We received an e-mail, the morning of May 16th from Hank O'Connell letting us know that  former Skokie Officer, Mort Podolsky  passed away on May 15th. Mort was on the job from July 1959 - August 1969    Ron Baran spoke with Mort's widow Polly, who said Mort had passed after a severe flare-up of his lung trouble.  There will not be a service but there will be a memorial at a later date. If anyone would like to pay tribute, a small donation in his name to a pet rescue or humane society would honor him. If any of you old timers wish to send condolences you can do so at:  Paintyou@cfl.rr.com   Class act Mort Podolsky was quick with one-liners By Martha Phifer | Sentinel Staff Writer May 23, 2009 Simply put, Morton A. "Mort" Podolsky was funny. But not because he was always telling jokes. Rather, his witty responses, often one-liners, were what made him a class act. "The man made me laugh all my life," said his wife of 40 years, Polly Podolsky. "He always wanted to be the best show in town, and he always was." Podolsky died of emphysema May 15. He was 74. As a teenager in Chicago, Podolsky lived a block away from Senn High School. Despite that, he drove his 1936 Ford with no fenders to school every day, just to be cool. "It was a $50 jalopy," Polly Podolsky said. "A real beater." Graduating in 1952, Podolsky had several jobs, including one at a carwash. In the mid-1950s, he married Ardith Deverman, and they had three children. He then joined the Skokie Police Department in Illinois, where he started as a patrolman and ascended to plainclothes officer and later youth officer. He and Deverman divorced in 1968. Though Podolsky and Polly Kirchner both attended Senn High at the same time, the two didn't meet there. In 1969, both went to a mutual friend's party, where Podolsky was to meet his date. "His date stood him up, and I caught him," she said. "It was neat because it was like instant rapport." They married six weeks later and were "best friends, as well as married lovers all our marriage," she said. Growing tired of seeing him put on his shirt, tie, jacket and gun before going to work, she asked Podolsky if they could do something else. "So we went into the antique business," his wife said. "We shared a mutual love of history, so this was right up our alley. We just loved it." Together they bought and sold antiques, and restored and refinished furniture until 1975, when Mort went into the auction business. After that, he joined Galena Territory Resort in Illinois as a land salesman. In 1982, the couple relocated to Tampa to be closer to their daughter Sarah Mende, who was having a baby. Three years later, the couple relocated to Orlando, where for 15 years he worked as a commercial real-estate salesman. He then dove into helping his wife with her painting career. "He did all of my framing and a lot of critiquing, God bless him," she said. He would tell her: "Stop painting! That painting is finished!" "He was a Capricorn, so he was very meticulous. All my to-do lists were in his head. He tried drilling them into mine, but I'm a Pisces, so that never worked!" Podolsky and his wife shared a love of dance, ballet and opera. A jazz lover, he played the trumpet and drums and even had a short stint with big-band leader Woody Herman. They also took roller-skate dance lessons together. "I could never get him to dance with me, but boy, he would put on some skates at the drop of a hat," Polly Podolsky said. "So what's the difference if you do a tango on heels or wheels?" His appreciation for anything that was beautiful gave him a lot of joy, she said. He also is survived by one sister, Harriett Simon of Pompano Beach; one brother, Earl of Illinois; one son, Brian of Iowa; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. We also regret to inform you that former Skokie Police Officer Steve Rubin passed May16th. Steve was on the department from July of 1977 to March of 1981   Steven H. Rubin Steven H. Rubin Steven H. Rubin, 61, was the husband of Linda; loving father of Michael (Anna), Courtney (Doug) and Sean; dearest grandfather of Madalyn; brother of Fred; and dearest companion of Sydni. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and loving friends. Visitation services were held May 22nd. www.commfell.org. Our condolences to the Mabry family on the recent death of Faye Faye passed away March 20th2009. She was a dispatcher in the 60's, and loved her "Skokie buddies" so much.. Share E-mail Visit Guest Book Mabry, Faye M., 86, formerly of Chicago, IL. Faye was a 40 year resident of Boca Raton. She is predeceased by son, Christopher  and daughter Melinda M. Davis. Faye is survived by her sons Michael (Sharon) Mabry of Port Orange, FL and Thomas (Susan) Mabry of Boca Raton, FL; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.  A Memorial Gathering was held Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Marv worked for SPD from 09/12/66 to when he resigned 09/14/68

Curtiss, George George Curtiss, a resident of Enterprise, AL passed away on Friday, January 30, 2009 at his residence. He was 68. Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Covenant Hospice, 2855 Ross Clark Cir, Dothan, AL, 36301. Mr. Curtiss was born on March 26, 1940 in Chicago, IL and lived there for 40 years. He was employed with the Skokie Police Department and later served as the Chief of Police in Northbrook, IL. He moved to the Wiregrass area in 2003 and resided in Enterprise for the last 2 years. Survivors include his wife Jean L. Curtiss of Enterprise, AL; sons, George D. Curtiss (Tammy) of Dothan, AL, Michael A. Curtiss (Katina) of Texas; 5 grandchildren, Ariana, Jackie, Jason, Julia, Abby; a sister Colleen Cassetty of Nashville, TN. Robert Byrd of Sunset Funeral Home

Click on this link to sign the guest book and  share your condolences with George's family       Guest Book for George Curtiss