Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Mokena Village Board honored Frank Ventura, George Rinke and Hans Mueller, three men whose lives were tied with the community of Mokena. All three died last week.
The Mokena Village Board took a few moments before Monday's board meeting to honor three men whose lives were tied to the Mokena community and whose lives all ended last week. Mayor Joe Werner led a brief presentation before the regularly scheduled board meeting to talk about the three men—Frank Ventura, George Rinke and Hans Mueller—and led a moment of silence before the meeting started. Watch video of the presentation and moment of silence. Frank Ventura died on Jan. 16 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was 48. Ventura was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, shortly after taking office as a Mokena 159 school board member. He stepped down in September 2011 to spend his remaining time with his two children. In addition to D159, …
41.534561
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Village of Mokena Village Hall
11004 Carpenter St, Mokena, IL
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325825
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Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mokena 159 board members share their memories of former member Frank Ventura, who died Monday at the age of 48.
Frank Ventura was diagnosed with cancer shortly after joining the Mokena 159 school board, but never let it interfere with his duties, board President John Troy said. "He would schedule his chemo around the board meetings," Troy said. "He would have his chemo and then come to the meetings." Ventura died at his home Monday. He was 48. He is survived by his two children, Frankie Ventura and Bridget Ventura, his parents, Frank R. and Carol Ventura (Seufert) and his sister Susan (Greg) Gallagher. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd. New Lenox. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. Read the superintendent's and district staff's memories of Ventura. Ventura, a Mokena CPA, was able to…
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Former District 159 School Board member Frank Ventura passed away after a battle with cancer, the district announced Wednesday.
Former Mokena School District 159 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 Kurtz Memorial Chapel 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 …
Friday, October 14, 2011
Mark Franceschini, 46, of Mokena, was sworn in Thursday night to fill the seat of former board member Frank Ventura.
The Mokena 159 School Board on Thursday swore in its newest member, 15-year resident Mark Franceschini, 46, of Mokena. Franceschini replaces Frank Ventura, who resigned in September due to health concerns. Watch video of Ventura's farewell speech to the board. Franceschini was one of four nominees to replace Ventura, board President John Troy said. A frequent attendee of board meetings, Franceschini said his decision to apply was due to what he described as the board's change in direction in recent months. "I like the direction the board's going and I want to help it continue in that direction," Franceschini said. Franceschini cited two recent board actions as particularly encouraging to him: a move opening up all action items for public …
41.531945
-87.890205
Mokena Elementary School
11244 Willow Crest Ln, Mokena, IL
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1374295
/locations/5592804
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The first-term school board member is resigning effective Sept. 16 to spend time with his children as he fights cancer.
The Mokena 159 School Board will be losing one of its own as first-term board member Frank Ventura announced his resignation Wednesday night to spend more time with his children as he fights cancer. "It was always my intention to complete my four-year term, however it is unlikely that would occur even if I remained on the board," Ventura told the board and assembled audience during Wednesday's board meeting. Ventura was diagnosed in December 2009 and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The certified public accountant is a single parent of two. "We're going to miss him," board President John Troy said. "He's probably one of the smartest guys on the board." Troy specifically praised Ventura's skill with numbers and his dedication to …
41.531945
-87.890205
Mokena Elementary School
11244 Willow Crest Ln, Mokena, IL
/articles/ventura-resigns-mokena-159-school-board-video
1374295
/locations/5359903
It's me...
9:25 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Ventura family are in my thoughts and prayers. more ›