Richard H. Lentfer, founder of Rich Real Estate dies
RICHARD H. LENTFER
Richard H. Lentfer, 86, of Orland Park, passed away November 7.
He was the beloved husband of Georjean (nee VanderWagen) for 41 years. Loving father of Sheryl (Tom) Rotunno, Susan (Craig) Sipich, Elizabeth (Nick) Osborne, and treasured step-father of Melissa (Robert) Taussig. Cherished grandpa of Nick (Evan) Rotunno, Jacqueline (Nick) Storm, Erica Borg, Jessica (Ed) Dellorto, Paul Taussig, Elizabeth Taussig, Lukas Osborne and Zachary Osborne. Dearest great-grandfather of six. Dear son of the late Herman and Elsie Lentfer. Fond son-in-law of Delores and the late Siebern VanderWagen. Much loved twin of the late Carolyne (late Walter) Schindler and favorite brother of Frank (Inge) Lentfer. Dearly loved brother-in-law of Cathy (Meine) Visser, Francine (Jeff) Chelepis, Christine (Andy) Schutt, and Doreen (Ken) DeBoer. Loving uncle of 20.
He founded Rich Real Estate Inc. in Orland Park in 1969. A respected leader and innovator in the real estate industry, he served three terms as president of the Southwest Suburban Association of Realtors and was named Realtor of the Year in 1975 and Realtor Emeritus in 2010.
Dedicated to the community, he served three terms as president of the Orland Park Chamber of Commerce and was past-president of the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member and past-president of the Orland Park Rotary Club where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was a mischievous Pop-Pops, proud Army vet, true patriot, cowboy at heart, loyal and generous friend to many, long time member of Calvary Church of Orland Park and most importantly, faithful servant of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Calvary Church of Orland Park, 16100 S. 104th Ave., Orland Park, IL 60467 or Guide Dogs For The Blind, P.O. Box 151200, San Rafael, CA 94915-1200 will be appreciated.
Visitation and services were held at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Avenue, Orland Park. Burial private at Orland Memorial Park Cemetery, Orland Park.
Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com.
Local News
Chicago Ridge librarian knocks off ‘Jeopardy’ champion
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Rhone Talsma grew up watching “Jeopardy!” – the classic game show with a twist where the answers are given first, and the contestants supply the questions. On Wednesday, Talsma knocked off 40-day champion Amy Schneider and won almost $30,000 in the process of becoming the new champion. Locally, the show…
Seven Mt. Carmel wrestlers win titles, help Caravan to Chicago Catholic League crown; Brother Rice takes 3rd
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent Ryan Boersma did not get the opportunity to become a four-time Catholic League champion because the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the cancellation of the conference tournament. But winning three Catholic League championships at two schools, and wrapping it up by winning a Lawless Award for the league’s best senior…
Davion Lawrence’s double-double leads Oak Lawn over Richards
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent When they were growing up, Johnny McGowan had the upper hand when squaring off on the court against Davion Lawrence. “Me and him go way back,” said McGowan, a senior guard at Oak Lawn. “He used to sleep over at my house when we were younger. We went to…
Funds flow to Back of the Yards
Spread the loveFour groups get grants; millions more available By Tim Hadac Four organizations in Back of the Yards—three businesses and a non-profit—are among 31 awarded more than $14.4 million in small business grants being allocated through the Chicago Recovery Plan. They are: Diaz Group Office Space, 5100 S. Damen, $250,000. El Nuevo Guadalajara, 4350…
Offer reward in grandma’s slaying
Spread the loveWas shot on 71st Street By Tim Hadac A $15,500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot and killed a 49-year-old grandmother in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Tamiko L. Talbert Fleming, of south suburban Dolton, was in the driver’s seat of her vehicle at 71st…
A sweet salesgirl
Spread the love Alessandra Valentina Paredes, a Daisy Scout with Girl Scout Troop 20637 (sponsored by St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish), shows a sweet smile as she begins her first-ever time selling Girl Scout Cookies. The daughter of West Lawn residents Jose Antonio and Lorena Paredes, Alessandra, age 5, joined the Daisies just four months…
Midway is new for Frontier
Spread the loveLow-fare airline coming in April By Tim Hadac Low-fare passenger airline options are set to increase at Midway International Airport this spring, with the arrival of Frontier Airlines. The expansion of air travel options was announced at a press conference last week at the airport. With 10 new nonstop routes taking off starting…
Rush rips USDA over plight of black farmers
Spread the love‘House is on fire,’ congressman says From staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) recently questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about what Rush called “the dire prognosis of black farmers in the U.S. and the steps USDA is taking to help minority farmers.” “As you well know, our nation’s…
Charge man with Archer Heights carjacking
Spread the loveBy Tim Hadac Police say they’ve solved a carjacking that occurred in Archer Heights earlier this month. An 18-year-old Southeast Side man was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with the crime. Monte Handley, of the 9000 block of South Muskegon, was apprehended by police in the 7500 block of South Ellis…
Neighbors
Moving scammers out there, BBB warns
Spread the love. By Better Business Bureau staff . Moving is always a stressful project. Throw in the threat of a moving scam, and things get even worse. Before hiring a moving company, careful research is necessary to avoid falling victim to a moving scam. These scams run the gamut from missing items, massive price…
Burglars hitting local businesses
Spread the love. From staff reports Police are alerting the public to what appears to be a crew of burglars hitting businesses across the city. A CPD alert noted 10 separate crimes. Three were committed against Southwest Side businesses on Friday, May 17: 7800 block of South Western at 12:11 a.m. 3300 block of West…
Rainbow Cone adds 4 new flavors
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Chicago’s iconic Original Rainbow Cone has been evolving over the past few years. First, it joined forces with the folks at Buono Beef and expanded its presence from its original location in Beverly to offer cones at Buono Beef locations and a few stand-alone stores as well as food trucks.…
Park Lawn opens day program in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Promoting inclusion and individuality, Park Lawn provides services that promote choice and access to community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mission behind the organization focuses on encouraging people with disabilities to discover their passion, to take pride in their accomplishments, to live more independently and to…
EPCHS adds Emmy-winning actor Gary Sievers to Hall of Fame
Spread the loveEvergreen Park Community High School has added a name to its list of Hall of Famers. Gary Sievers, a 1968 EPCHS graduate who became well-known for his acting, public speaking, work in radio and television, community service, civic leadership and teaching, was posthumously inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame during the Honors…
Worth vehicle sticker applications ‘lost’ in the mail
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Worth Village Clerk Bonnie Price said that even though application forms for village vehicle stickers were sent out to the post office last month residents were still waiting to receive those applications. “We have been doing this for 15 years,” Price said during the Worth Village Board meeting May 7. “This…
Hunt killer in ‘drifting’ slaying
Spread the love. Police seek witnesses, video of 59/Western . By Tim Hadac Police are appealing to the public to help find those responsible for the slaying of a 20-year-old West Englewood man during a takeover of the intersection at 59th and Western at 3:21 a.m. Sunday, May 5. The victim–identified as Guillermo “Memito” Caballero…
Mom gets 20 years in babies’ murder
Spread the love. Stuffed her newborn twin boys in an alley garbage cart . By Tim Hadac The books closed this month on a double murder that shocked and sickened many in the Garfield Ridge area more than 20 years ago. Antoinette Briley, 44, pled guilty on May 7 to murdering her twin baby boys…
Ladies lead the way to stylish Kentucky Derby fun
Spread the love As a tip of the cap–so to speak–to the Kentucky Derby, acclaimed chef Gloria Hafer (second from right) visited the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center last week to cook a burgoo (a thick stew traditionally popular in the South). For an added bit of fun, the center had a derby contest. Among…