Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options

Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options Chicago funeral home and cremation provider. Keeping memories alive. Serving families and individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.

We aspire to be a light in the dark.

Did you know that just a short drive from Chicago lies one of the most unique resting places in all of America? Showmen'...
02/19/2026

Did you know that just a short drive from Chicago lies one of the most unique resting places in all of America? Showmen's Rest is a special 750-plot section of Woodlawn Cemetery, owned by the Showmen's League of America, and it serves as the final curtain call for many circus performers and entertainers. It was established in 1917, just a year before a devastating train wreck on June 22, 1918 claimed the lives of several dozen members of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. The section is marked by five stone elephants with their trunks lowered in mourning - a quiet reminder of the wonder and joy of the circus. These special places like Showmen's Rest remind us of the extraordinary ways people touch the world. Have you ever visited?

On this day, February 16, 2012, we lost Gary Carter, American baseball catcher, Hall of Famer, and one of the most belov...
02/16/2026

On this day, February 16, 2012, we lost Gary Carter, American baseball catcher, Hall of Famer, and one of the most beloved figures in MLB history. Known for his powerhouse hitting and infectious enthusiasm that earned him the nickname "The Kid." Born in Culver City, California, in 1954, Carter grew up in Southern California and was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972. He quickly became a star, debuting in the majors in 1974 and establishing himself as an All-Star caliber player. Over his 19-year career, primarily with the Expos and later the New York Mets, Carter was an 11-time All-Star and was a key leader on the 1986 World Series champion Mets team, where he helped secure an iconic comeback victory. Carter's warmth, work ethic, and positive spirit made him a fan favorite across baseball, and he remained active in the game as a coach, broadcaster, and ambassador long after retirement. Tragically, Gary Carter passed away at age 57 after a battle with brain cancer, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of fans who remember him.

On this day, February 13, 2002 we lost Waylon Jennings, the groundbreaking American country singer, songwriter, and guit...
02/13/2026

On this day, February 13, 2002 we lost Waylon Jennings, the groundbreaking American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose rebellious spirit, and "outlaw" style revolutionized the genre. He grew up in a modest family and began performing on the radio as a teenager before becoming a key player in the Nashville scene. After a close call surviving the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly (Waylon famously gave up his seat), he rose to stardom in the 1970s as a leader of the outlaw country movement alongside Willie Nelson. Waylon's crossover appeal influenced artists to come, cementing his status as a cultural rebel and legend.

On this day, February 11, 2012 we lost Whitney Houston, the iconic American singer whose extraordinary voice and command...
02/11/2026

On this day, February 11, 2012 we lost Whitney Houston, the iconic American singer whose extraordinary voice and commanding presence made her one of the best-selling artists of all time. Born Whitney Elizabeth Houston on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, she rose from gospel roots in a musical family—her mother Cissy Houston was a renowned soul singer, and Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin were relatives—to become a global superstar in the 1980s and 1990s. She achieved unprecedented success, including seven consecutive number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and multiple Grammy Awards (including Record and Album of the Year). Her range and crossover appeal reshaped pop, R&B, and ballad music, influencing countless artists across generations.

Did you know that you can have a green/natural funeral in Illinois?We can help you learn more about what options are ava...
02/09/2026

Did you know that you can have a green/natural funeral in Illinois?
We can help you learn more about what options are available and how you can plan ahead.

On this day, February 9, we lost Fyodor Dostoevsky, the Russian novelist whose profound explorations of the human soul r...
02/09/2026

On this day, February 9, we lost Fyodor Dostoevsky, the Russian novelist whose profound explorations of the human soul reshaped world literature. Born Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky in Moscow on November 11, 1821, he endured exile in Siberia and personal hardships that fueled his masterpieces like Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot. His psychological depth and philosophical insight influenced generations of writers and thinkers. He passed away peacefully in St. Petersburg at age 59 from a pulmonary hemorrhage, likely linked to his long battle with epilepsy and health struggles. His legacy endures through timeless works that probe the darkest and most hopeful corners of existence.

On this day, February 5, 2024, we lost Toby Keith, the bold American country music icon whose patriotic hits and larger-...
02/05/2026

On this day, February 5, 2024, we lost Toby Keith, the bold American country music icon whose patriotic hits and larger-than-life personality defined modern country. Born Toby Keith Covel in Clinton, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1961, he rose from oil fields and rodeos to stardom with his 1993 breakout "Should've Been a Cowboy" and sold over 40 million albums. He battled stomach cancer courageously after his 2021 diagnosis and passed away peacefully at age 62 in Oklahoma, surrounded by family. Hours later, he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. His anthems and unapologetic spirit live on.

On this day, February 3, 1961, we lost Anna May Wong, the trailblazing Chinese American actress who became the first maj...
02/03/2026

On this day, February 3, 1961, we lost Anna May Wong, the trailblazing Chinese American actress who became the first major Asian star in Hollywood. Born Wong Liu Tsong in Los Angeles on January 3, 1905, she overcame racism and stereotyping to forge a pioneering career in silent films, theater, and TV. She starred in groundbreaking films such as Daughter of Shanghai (1937) and made history with the 1951 TV series The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong, the first U.S. show led by an Asian American. In 1960, she earned the first Hollywood Walk of Fame star for an Asian American woman. Tragically, after battling health issues including liver disease, she passed away at age 56 in Santa Monica, California, from a heart attack. Her elegant presence and advocacy for better Asian representation continue to inspire and advance inclusion in entertainment.

On this day, February 2, 2014, we lost Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the greatest American actors of his generation. Re...
02/02/2026

On this day, February 2, 2014, we lost Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the greatest American actors of his generation. Renowned for his intense, transformative performances, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Truman Capote in Capote (2005), earning widespread praise for his uncanny performance. He delivered unforgettable supporting roles in films like Boogie Nights, Magnolia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Almost Famous, Doubt, The Master, and Moneyball. Tragically, after years of sobriety amid past addiction struggles, he passed away at age 46 in New York City from acute mixed drug intoxication. His fearless, deeply human work continues to inspire actors and captivate audiences in American cinema.

Tucked away in Graceland Cemetery on Chicago's North Side lies one of the city's most iconic sculptures: Eternal Silence...
01/30/2026

Tucked away in Graceland Cemetery on Chicago's North Side lies one of the city's most iconic sculptures: Eternal Silence (also known as the Dexter Graves Monument or the "Statue of Death"). The 10-foot bronze figure created in 1909 depicts a hooded, draped figure standing silently against a black granite backdrop, evoking the profound mystery of death and the quiet that follows. It marks the plot of Dexter Graves, an early Chicago pioneer who led 13 families from Ohio to settle here in 1831, long before the city was officially incorporated. Graves' descendants commissioned this striking piece to honor his legacy.

Have you visited Graceland or seen Eternal Silence in person?

On this day, January 30, 1948, we lost Orville Wright, the American aviation pioneer who, together with his brother Wilb...
01/30/2026

On this day, January 30, 1948, we lost Orville Wright, the American aviation pioneer who, together with his brother Wilbur, invented and flew the world's first successful powered, controlled airplane in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their groundbreaking achievement launched the age of modern aviation, transforming travel, warfare, and global connectivity forever. A self-taught engineer and bicycle mechanic by trade, Orville piloted the historic 12-second flight that covered 120 feet, and he lived to see aviation evolve from fragile biplanes to jet aircraft and space travel. He received numerous honors, including the Congressional Medal in 1909, and remained a key figure in aeronautics until his death from a heart attack at age 76.

Katherine Frances Cronin (nee O’Shea), age 94, passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2026 at home surrounded by her lo...
01/29/2026

Katherine Frances Cronin (nee O’Shea), age 94, passed away peacefully on January 22nd, 2026 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Born on December 4th, 1931 in Ardacluggin, Eyeries in the Beara Peninsula of County Cork, Ireland, Katherine lived a long and meaningful life defined by her love of dancing, books, margaritas and all things Ireland. She was known for her warm smile, gentle spirit, and unwavering generosity toward everyone she met.

Katherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who treasured time spent with loved ones. Also known as Aunt Kathleen, a favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews around the world. She was a legend in her neighborhood, and her stories, wisdom, and laughter will be cherished for generations.

She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, her son Michael, her sisters Mary, Tessie, Milly and Ann.

She is survived by her daughter Maryann (Brian), grandchildren Jennifer (Andy), Nuala (Freddy), Brenna (Lisa), Gerard (Katie), Daniel (Brianna) and Maeve, great grandchildren Mara, Sloane, Arthur, Oliver, Delaney, Joni, sister Breda and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Katherine’s life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love a gift to all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held on January 29th from 3PM-8PM at Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 3918 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL 60618. Funeral Mass January 30th, 10:30 AM at St. Pascal’s Church, 3935 North Melvina, Chicago, Illinois 60634. Internment immediately following at Mount Olive Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be made to The Irving Park Food Pantry, 4256 North Ridgeway Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618, www.irvingparkfoodpantry.org.

Arrangements by Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options. 773.654.3744, www.midtownfunerals.com

https://midtownfunerals.com/funeral-detail-page/?case=D5E6EE07-0394-46F2-96CA-8951B99C030B

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3918 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL
60618

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+17736543744

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