Former D159 School Board Member Frank Ventura Has Died

Former board member Frank Ventura has died following a battle with cancer, the district announced Wednesday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at 102 E. Francis Rd. New Lenox. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m.

Ventura died at his home on Monday, according to an email Superintendent Steve Stein sent to staff on Wednesday morning.

By phone later Wednesday morning, Stein recalled Ventura, a CPA by trade, as a conscientious board member who always did his research before meetings.

"Frank was always a fantastic student of whatever the subject was he had to pour himself into," Stein said.

District Executive Secretary Mary Louise Knoerzer called Ventura "a great advocate for education."

"He really truly did have the students interests at heart," Knoerzer said. "He was just a really good guy."

Ventura stepped down from the board in September to spend more time with his two children as he fought cancer. Mark Franceschini was .

Ventura lived in Mokena since 1999 and was elected to the school board in April 2009, according to the district. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Accounting, concentrating in Computer Science, at the University of Kansas. He was a member of the AICPA, Illinois CPA Society, Lincoln-Way Area Next Steps Training Team and the LWASE 843 Parents Advisory Committee.

This story will be updated with comment from D159 officials, teachers and board members throughout the day. Share your memories of Frank Ventura below.

Updated at 11:40 a.m. with Stein and Knoerzer comments and biographical information.