Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options

03/12/2026

Pre-planning should be easy and you should be able to do it from the comfort of your home.

https://midtownfunerals.com/planning-made-easy/

03/12/2026

In today’s uncertain world, planning ahead for your final arrangements brings comfort not just to you, but to your loved ones. At Midtown, we believe that funeral pre-planning should go far beyond just locking-in today’s prices. That’s why our prepaid plans are fully transferable, meaning your investment travels with you through life changes.

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In today’s uncertain world, planning ahead for your final arrangements brings comfort not just to you, but to your loved ones. At Midtown, we believe that funeral pre-planning should go far beyond just locking-in today’s prices. That’s why our prepaid plans are fully transferable, meaning your...

03/04/2026

Our beloved Bonita Mae Cole Lyles (Bonnie), age 82, left this life on February 3rd, 2026 at her home in Chicago, IL.

Bonnie was born on May 15th, 1943 to Lois and Ernest Cole in Wyalusing, Pennsylvania. She was the eldest of seven siblings (Sam, Nancy, Ernest, Jim, Jeff and Tim Cole). She graduated from Wyalusing Valley High School in 1961, and then attended LockHaven State College to study teaching. Bonnie’s cousin, Mary Lou, was teaching at a school back home, and got Bonnie her very first teaching job. She then received a scholarship to study abroad in Spain for six months. She lived there with Catholic nuns which she often mentioned having hated. Upon her return, Bonnie moved to Chicago to attend the University of Illinois, studying “boring old literature” in her words. She got hired by Chicago Public Schools and started teaching at Harrison High School where she met many life-long friends and “the love of her life”, her husband John Lyles. Bonnie worked the remainder of her career with CPS teaching Spanish. She was a CTU active member and took her children to protest in support of the Union starting very young. Bonnie adopted her first child Kyla (then Lyles) in 1986 and her second child Shianne in 1989. She was loving, kind, and took much pride in being a mother.

Bonnie leaves behind her husband of 42 years John E. Lyles, daughters, Kyla (Michael) Henderson and Shianne Lyles. Cherished grandchildren Kordell Coleman, JaNyah Henderson, Kendrick Lyles-Henderson, Hayden Lyles Guzman, Malia Henderson and Calixto Lyles-Puente as well as her step daughters, nieces, nephews, friends and chosen family held dear along the way.

Bonnie was known as a beautiful, intelligent, vibrant and open person, who loved to travel, experience the arts and spend time with her family. She was curious about the world around her, an advocate for social justice and dedicated her life to educating others. We are all better for knowing her and it was a privilege to be loved by her. We will miss her forever!

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday March 7, 2026 from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM, with a service at 3:00 PM at Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 3918 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago.

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

https://midtownfunerals.com/funeral-detail-page/?case=FF3B7F04-FD95-46AC-8B14-5640A1B46AD0

02/26/2026

Join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month for a free grief circle.
Please RSVP at the links below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977720918506?aff=oddtdtcreator

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1977770288172?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/25/2026

Frank Joseph Weisz, age 65.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Frank Joseph Weisz, a man of quiet charm and sharp wit. Frank was born on February 25th, 1960, and transitioned out of this life surrounded by his family on February 16th, just shy of his 66th birthday.

Fiercely loving father of Isabelle Rowland Weisz. Dear brother of Jack Weisz. Beloved son of the late Frank Weisz and Marianne (née Halter) Weisz. Former husband of Alice Rowland. Loving cousin and friend to many.

Born to Danubeswabian immigrants, Frank stayed close to his German roots throughout his life, enjoying German beer, food, and traditions. As a lifelong Chicagoan, Frank spent his years exploring the city, attending countless concerts, museums, and street festivals.

Frank attended Gordon Technical High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University. He built a successful career as a financial leadership recruiter before transitioning to manual labor jobs, most recently with the United States Postal Service, to keep him moving and active.

He fought and beat cancer in 2013 with stubborn determination, a quality he wore proudly. He showed others who were lucky enough to know him what true strength and courage look like throughout his fight to stay here with his daughter and family.

Frank showed love to others by sharing the things he loved with them, from horror and science fiction books, movies, and TV shows to rock ‘n roll music which he also enjoyed playing on guitar. He especially loved Stephen King’s works and the Rolling Stones.

He loved road tripping, hiking, camping, and stargazing, particularly at Devil’s Lake State Park, with his daughter, friends, and cousins. He found equal joy in admiring vast landscapes as each butterfly and bee in his garden.

He will be remembered with love in every guitar riff, every shooting star, and every ray of light that touches this beautiful city he called home, from his first breath to his last.

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday February 28, 2026 from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, with a service at 2:00 PM at Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 3918 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago.

Charitable contributions in Frank's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.cancer.org

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

https://midtownfunerals.com/funeral-detail-page/?case=70D49BA7-A006-4532-902B-EE1527543EE5

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.