News

Sad News: Several Losses

In the past few weeks, several former CATS members have passed on. We offer our condolences to their families, and remember our old friends fondly.

Bill Horstman
Passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 17, 2023, at the age of 79. Preceded in death by his parents Elmer Henry Horstman and Rosella Marie Horstman nee Lieder, as well as his first wife Marty, and many beloved pets. Survived by his second wife Connie Jo, his children Missy (Jack) Jennaro, Matt Horstman, Andy (Diane) Horstman, and John (Emma Louise) Horstman. Also survived by his grandchildren Madison, Alex, and Ryan; his sisters Sandra Hamlet and Nancy Lieder; his current partner Sally Hunt and her children Michelle and Jesse. Further survived by his dearly loved dog Fig, nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Bill enjoyed a lifelong career at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, starting as a graduate student and retiring as Assistant Dean Emeritus, where he made many dear friends and memories. Bill was also a writer and contributor to many speeches made by the chancellors. He had a great love for the outdoors and local sports teams, with a special focus on the Braves as a kid and the Brewers as an adult. His children continue to share the same love. After his career, he spent time focusing on some of his passions, including creative writing, stand-up comedy, and traveling. He was an avid reader, and a dog lover. Bill had a sweet tooth and could usually be found enjoying one of Missy’s chocolate chip cookies. He will be missed by all those he touched throughout his life. Family will greet friends on Saturday March 11, 2023, from noon to 3 pm at Feerick Funeral Home (2025 E. Capital Drive Shorewood, WI 53211). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s name to the Wisconsin Humane Society.
(Reprinted from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Janis Peltier
Janis Ann Janosek Peltier passed away on January 2, 2003, after a short illness, in Arizona, with her family near.

Born in Lakewood, Ohio to an authentically Czech family and a lifelong resident of Evanston, Illinois, Janis was the caring middle child of two sibling an aunt to many nieces and nephews, a mother to two children, and her most prized role of all, grandma to grandson Shane.

Janis enjoyed a versatile repertoire of interests but what she loved most was music. As quoted in her diary, “Music is the texture of your soul.” She attended Chicago Musical College, sang and consistently listened to opera and classical music, and eventually created a 20+ year career in real estate which gave the freedom to be a creative, singing, dancing kind of mom/grandma who was at every event important to her children and grandson and believed in “fun fun fun”.

Through her lifelong spiritual journey, accompanied by her faith in Astrology, she remained always positive. She took her children on vacation, setting them up for thinking of and understanding the world. She was always reading, as well working the stock market. She was a lifelong advocate for Veterans, and absolutely LOVED America. Her eye for decorating, she often declared, could have been her other career choice, and she loved to entertain, holding piano accompanied feasts, bringing holidays to life. And she passed all of this vibrancy onto her family. Shane carries her legacy on in having a unique eye for joyful presentation and sharing, and a love and gift of music.

He will always look for her in the audience, he said. And so is the way. But she taught him well, so, he will ensure the show must go on every time she is there, every time.

Janis was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Janosek, her father, John Janosek, her brothers Charles Janosek and John Janosek, and nephew Jeffrey Janosek.

She is survived by her son Bill Peltier, her daughter Janine (Cosmin) Peltier Macris, her grandson Shane Macris, ex-husband Bill Peltier, her nieces Chris Ellen Thomas and Christine Janosek, and nephew Michael John Janosek.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday July 16, 2023, 2:00 pm at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave, Evanston, Il 60201.

In honor of Janis, please consider donating to: American Diabetes Association, AmVets or Attend a Stage Show (Youth Theater to Broadway Theater).

Info: donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990.
Published by Chicago Tribune on February 19, 2023

Robert Lincoln Cooley
Bob Cooley, age 95, of Taos, New Mexico, passed away on February 5, 2023. Bob was born in 1927 to parents Sumner Dewey and Kate Crockett Cooley in Lakeland, Florida. He is preceded in death by his son, Timothy Sinclair Cooley. He is survived by his son, Daniel Christopher Cooley; grandchildren, Clare Isabelle and Robert Christian Cooley; and many other relatives and friends. A Vermont native, Bob spent his working life in Chicago as a graphic designer and art director. While in Chicago, he was an active member of the Columbia Yacht Club and raced on some of the fastest boats in the Mackinac, Bermuda, and other freshwater and ocean regattas. He traveled to Africa, Canada, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South America, and the Caribbean recording wildlife to use in his artwork. He moved to Taos in 1991 and enjoyed the art scene, dancing, tennis, and skiing, competing in NASTAR Alpine Racing well into his 80s. Bob served in the US Navy. He traveled to Air Force bases and installations around the world, including Balad Air Base in Iraq during the Iraq war, as part of the U.S. Air Force Art Program. His military artworks grace the walls of the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and Air Force bases around the world. His work has been published in Watercolor Magazine, Watercolor Magic, and others. His paintings have been juried into numerous art shows around the United States, such as the Prajna Gallery, Saugatuck, MI (1983), One Touch of Nature Gallery, Chicago (1989), and Wilder-Nightingale Fine Art, Taos (1994). Bob studied at Pepperdine University and Art Center College of Design in California. He was a Master Watercolor Artist and is represented by Wilder Nightingale Gallery in Taos and is widely collected. Bob was a signature member of Taos Watercolor Society. He will be greatly missed. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.

Richard Eastline
Richard Eastline was president of CATS and C Coordinator in the early ’80s. He died on January 31 at age 96. He was living in Chicago. Rich was a professional writer and editor, and founded Richline Wordshop.

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