Roberts, Mary Lou (Bethel) 1926-2012

Mary Lou Roberts 1926-2012Mary Lou (Bethel) Roberts was born Sunday, October 24, 1926 in McCormick, Illinois in Pope County to Jewell Guy Bethel & Elma Houston.

In the 1930 census, the family was located in Hammond Lake, Indiana. Mary Lou was then 3 years old and her father was doing his best to support the family during the depression by working as a laborer in the steel mills. Continue reading

Redickas, Thomas J. 1927-2002, Civil Defense Director

Tom RedicasThomas Joseph Redickas was born April 11, 1927 in Chicago to Charles V. and Mabel M. (Harvey) Redickas. His father, Charles, was a Lithuanian immigrant and his mother, Mabel, was born in Illinois to full blooded Irish immigrants.

In the 1930 census, Tom was three years old. His parents were renting a home at 5629 Elizabeth St. in Chicago and paying $40 per month for rent. His father was a typesetter at a printing shop. Continue reading