MAUREEN O’DONNELL

2 months ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Matt Moore |MAUREEN O’DONNELL |Selena Fragassi

In today’s newsletter, we’re taking a look at the life and long career of musician and longtime politician Jerry Butler, who died Thursday night at age 85. Plus, we’ve got reporting on grants for small businesses in Chatham, a Chicago firefighter competing on the latest season of “Survivor” and more community news you need to know below.

2 months ago | chicago.suntimes.com | MAUREEN O’DONNELL |Maureen O'Donnell

Jerry Butler’s baritone combined the soaring ecstasy of church, the rumbling rhythms of Chicago and the soul of his native Sunflower, Mississippi. Warm and plush but also cool, it won him the nickname “Iceman.”The songs of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer became a soundtrack for the 1950s and 1960s. He achieved fame as a member of The Impressions and later as a solo soul artist. His songs have been sampled by others including Missy Elliott, Snoop Dogg, Method Man and The Game.

Nov 9, 2024 | chicago.suntimes.com | MAUREEN O’DONNELL |Maureen O'Donnell

In a legal careet spanning more than 40 years, Frank Nitikman helped some of Chicago’s most prominent people plan their estates and safeguard their investments. He also traveled the world, danced the twist with Chubby Checker and appeared as an extra in Lyric Opera productions — once, Plácido Domingo accidentally broke his nose during the second act of “Tosca.”Mr. Nitikman, who had frontotemporal dementia, died Thursday. He was 84. He grew up in Davenport, Iowa.

Oct 23, 2023 | chicago.suntimes.com | MAUREEN O’DONNELL |Maureen O'Donnell

Even though he was on kidney dialysis three times a week, David Johnson wanted to experience daredevilry. “Skydiving was on his bucket list,” his wife Angela Johnson said. “The doctor said: Absolutely not.” So he tried indoor skydiving to simulate the thrill of soaring through the sky. His health struggles led to numerous hospital stays. Yet he still managed to cruise to the Bahamas, arranging to have dialysis done at a clinic in Florida if he needed it.