U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Charles G. Boerst
Charles G. Boerst, 83, of Worth, died Sept. 23, 2008. He was a retired car salesman. Arrangements are by Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, (708) 974-4410.
Shareen M. Davis
Shareen M. Davis, 22, of University Park, died Sept. 18, 2008. She was a certified nursing assistant. Arrangements are by Woods Funeral Home, (708) 755-2010.
Cloyd R. Selby
Cloyd R. Selby, 72, of Homer Glen, died Sept. 24, 2008. He owned Selby's Aero Squad and was a former co-owner of Imperial Crane Service. Arrangements are by Modell Funeral Home, (708) 301-3595.
Raymond P. McCarthy
Frequent visitors to St. Rita High School never would have known that Raymond P. McCarthy did not attend the Southwest Side school.
An honorary alumnus, the longtime resident of Chicago's Mount Greenwood community and father of St. Rita president Rev. Tim McCarthy was a fixture at the high school, eager to help without hesitation.
After his son took over as president at St. Rita, 7740 Western Ave., the career electrician and telephone installer became an almost constant presence - doing light electrical work, counting donations and charming students and faculty with his outgoing personality.
"I might have been the president of St. Rita, but he was the king," the Rev. McCarthy said of his father.
Mr. McCarthy died Sept. 12, 2008 at his daughter's home in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood after recent health setbacks, his family said. He was 89.
With a wry wit and his familiar "just call me Ray," Mr. McCarthy not only was a popular figure at St. Rita but was known throughout his neighborhood for his willingness to build, fix or install things. Mr. McCarthy sometimes lent a hand without even letting those he helped know he'd done anything, his family said.
"He was so supportive of me through my time, anything to do with St. Rita" he wanted to help, the Rev. McCarthy said.
"He was very modest, never looking for any recognition," daughter Carol Kipp said.
Mr. McCarthy's dedication to St. Rita earned him the title of honorary alumnus - a major gesture to the first-generation Irish-American who longed for a Catholic education in his youth.
Growing up during the Great Depression, Mr. McCarthy was the fourth of five children of a Chicago fire captain and a homemaker. His family was unable to afford tuition to Leo High School, where Mr. McCarthy wanted to attend school. He instead attended Calumet High School, which he jokingly called "Our Lady of Calumet."
The day after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Mr. McCarthy and a friend went to a military recruiter to sign up for service.
"They asked him what branch of the military he wanted to join, and he said, 'I don't know (and) I don't care,' " the Rev. McCarthy said.
The eager enlistee joined the Coast Guard and later served on the USS Randall landing ship, helping transport Marines to Iwo Jima.
After his November 1945 discharge, Mr. McCarthy contemplated following his father into the fire department but instead began working as a telephone system installer for Illinois Bell. He worked there for 28 years before retiring in 1974. He then began a 14-year career installing phone systems and doing electrical work for the Chicago Public Schools.
He and his wife, Mildred, raised five children in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood and were longtime members at the St. Adrian and Queen of Martyrs parishes. His faith provided the foundation on how he raised his children, his family said.
"He taught us a lot about values and morals, he was an excellent role model," Kipp said. "He never raised his hand to us. He could always patiently tell you why you weren't making a good decision and tell you a better way of how to go about it."
In addition to Rev. McCarthy and Kipp, Mr. McCarthy is survived by daughters Mary Scopelliti and Peggy Walsh, son Patrick, a sister and 11 grandchildren. Mildred McCarthy died in January 2001. Funeral services have been held.
Eliberto Ordonez
Eliberto Ordonez, 59, of Matteson, died Sept. 25, 2008. He was a general laborer. Arrangements are by Robey Park Manor Funeral Home, (708) 756-2310.
Conrad L. Rudofski
Conrad L. Rudofski, 85, of Orland Park, died Sept. 28, 2008. He was a retired commercial architect and an Army veteran of World War II. Arrangements are by Thornridge Funeral Home, (708) 460-2300.
Shelby Webb
Shelby Webb, 86, of Chicago Heights, died Sept. 19, 2008. He was an employee at Republic Steel Corp. and an Army Air Force veteran of World War II. Arrangements were by Homewood Memorial Gardens, (708) 798-0055.
Timothy J. Kaufmann [SSDI spells it "Kaufman"]
At the first signs of trouble, Tim Kaufmann was the type of cop who would spring to action without being asked.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he joined a group of Chicago officers who traveled to New York City's ground zero to help out.
The Evergreen Park father of five died Sunday, October 5, 2008 from brain cancer, his family said. He was 49.
Mr. Kaufmann had a long and distinguished career with the sheriff's department, most recently heading its Internal Affairs Division.
During his 25-year career, Mr. Kaufmann received recognition and awards, including a life-saving award for quickly freeing a family of four from a car wreck as gasoline gushed from a ruptured tank in 1995.
He also served as an undercover officer, pretending to be the owner of a bogus pawn shop to bust up a theft operation and also later posing as a hitman whom a housewife tried to hire to kill her husband, officials said.
"He was a very special person," Sheriff Tom Dart said.
Since being appointed by Dart's predecessor, Michael Sheahan, as chief of Internal Affairs, Mr. Kaufmann handled every major investigation into wrongdoing by sheriff's employees, Dart said.
He recalled him as a dedicated officer who used humor to undercut the seriousness of his work.
"When you're dealing with this level of violence and wrongdoing, the only way you can survive this stuff is through humor, and he had a tremendous sense of humor," Dart said.
Mr. Kaufmann had a simple way of juggling his work and home lives, his family said.
"Laugh it off, never bring it home, leave it at work," said his brother Anthony, a Chicago police officer. "He loved life, he was a practical joker and a very dedicated family man."
The lesson was respected by many of his brothers and sisters, which include police officers and one Chicago firefighter.
An Oak Lawn native, Mr. Kaufmann and his wife, Carol, raised their five children in Evergreen Park. The former Brother Rice High School soccer goalie kept his enthusiasm for the game and become a youth soccer coach at St. Catherine of Alexandria parish, where he graduated as a child.
After he was diagnosed with cancer, his friends and family drew thousands to a fundraiser last month at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park to help support his family.
In addition to his wife and brother, Mr. Kaufman is survived by his mother Constance; brothers, Michael, Peter, William and Frank; sisters Karen and Judy; children Maureen, Tim, Katie, Sean and Colleen; and grandson Gavin. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank.
A visitation is scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn, with a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Evergreen Park.
Survivors: Wife Carol, mother Constance, brothers, Anthony, Michael, Peter, William and Frank; sisters Karen and Judy; children Maureen, Tim, Katie, Sean and Colleen colleen and a grandson.
Funeral arrangements: Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn. 10:30 a.m. Thursday funeral Mass, Most Holy Redeemer Church in Evergreen Park.
Carol Casey
Carol Casey (nee Smith), 70, of Posen, died Oct. 10, 2008. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are by Adduci-Zimny Funeral Home, (708) 385-0634.
Krzysztof Cieslik
Krzysztof Cieslik, 59, of Burbank, died Oct. 9, 2008. He was a truck driver. Arrangements are by Zarzycki Manor Chapels, (708) 839-8999.
