The Glen Ellyn News from Glen Ellyn, Illinois • Page 14

NASCAR driver visits Glen Ellyn camp MARTIN D. BATES Born: Sept. 23, 1911; in Quincy, Ml Died: June 28, 2015; in Lisle, IL How to submit Send information to obits mysuburbanlife.com or call 866-817-3278. Most obituaries appear online. To leave a message of condolence in the online guest book, go to obituaries.

mysuburbanlife.com Martin D. Bates, age 103, passed away at Westbury Care Center, Brookdale of Lisle, on Sunday, June 28, 2015. A former resident of Glen Ellyn for 47 years, he KATHYRN B. CHANDLER Kathyrn Bell Chandler, a 59 year resident of Downers Grove, IL. Beloved wife for 42 years of Alan R.

Loving mother of Alison and Rachel Chandler. Dear sister of Rosann (Larry) Rechlin. Fond Aunt of Adam Rechlin, Emily (Christopher) Perry and Alexander Rechlin. And great aunt of Michael Jon. Caring Sister-in-Law of Susan A.

(Larry) Disbrow. Employed for 30 years with "The Sewing Room" of Lombard. Memorials to Downers Grove Area Food Pantry "FISH" 4340 Prince St. Downers Grove, IL 60515 would be appreciated. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 15, 2015, from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m.

at Toon Funeral Home 4920 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL. 60515 All Friends and Relatives will meet at St. Joseph Catholic Church 4801 Main Street Downers Grove, IL 60515 Thursday, 10:00 a.m. for Mass of Christian Burial. Interment Oak Crest Cemetery Downers Grove, IL For more information: 630-968-0408 OR www.toonfuneralhome.com Photo provided NASCAR driver Ryan Reed, 21, takes a selfie with campers June 18 at Camp Discovery, a camp for kids with diabetes located at Health Track in Glen Ellyn.

Reed was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in February 2011 and was told he would never race again. He is ranked eighth in the NASCAR XFINITY series. With the support of Lilly Diabetes and the American Diabetes Association, Reed is working to inspire millions of people living with diabetes through his national awareness initiative, Drive to Stop Diabetes. had lived independently at Brookdale Lisle (formerly, The Devonshire) since 1999. Martin was born on September 23, 1911, at his maternal grandparents' farm home near Quincy, Michigan.

After graduating from Quincy High School, he attended Michigan State College (now, University) in East Lansing, Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed the Army ROTC program to become a commissioned officer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Army Reserve. After graduation in 1936, he began his occupational career and married Barbara R. Hutchison, whom he had met while attending MSC; she was from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He had to put his civilian career on hold when he was called to Active Duty in the Spring of 1941. During World War II, he served as an antiaircraft artillery officer and participated in the Normandy invasion, landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day.

At the end of the war, he stayed in the Army Reserve and retired at the rank of Colonel in 1971. Martin had a successful civilian career as a sales engineer of industrial rubber products. During his career, he worked for several companies; most notably, Thermoid Rubber Products Company and Sparks Belting Company. He retired as a sales representative from Sparks at the age of 75. Martin was an active member of St.

Mark's Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn, for over 50 years; an active member of the Glen Ellyn Kiwanis Club for more than 40 years; and a life member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) for more than 20 years. He enjoyed playing cards (especially bridge) and bingo, working crossword puzzles and dancing. Martin is the last of his generation of the Bates family. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. and Enid Bates; brother, Vilas Bates; sisters, Sylvia Hunter and Letha Smith; and wife, Barbara R.

Bates. He is survived by his sons, Dwight W. (and wife Pauline) Bates of Maysville, KY, and Dale I. (and wife Julie) Bates of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Markus Bates, Nicole DeMuth, Matthew Bates and Justin Bates; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A family memorial service will be held at Fort Sheridan Post Cemetery at a later date at which time interment with his wife will take place.

Arrangements were made by the Leonard Memorial Home, Glen Ellyn, 630-469-0032. Muscular Dystrophy Association Where Hope Begins 1-800-FIGHT-MD www.mdausa.org BOUTIQUE Continued from page 4 In the 1970s, she developed her clothing line, Katerina which sold at select Nei-man Marcus and Nordstrom locations, and at various boutiques across the country. Balabinis cherishes the relationships she has with her customers, including children who come in for cookies. The store is known as the "cookie store" for kids looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. She said her strong ties to families, paired with her goal to make every shopper look and feel great, is what has kept the boutique thriving for 50 years.

Balabinis said her store operates under the motto "If you don't look good, we don't look good." Wheaton resident Rosemary Severino, a longtime Katy's customer, worked at the shop about 25 years ago and has continued to help out at the boutique for the last six years. Severino said she has become close friends with Balabinis and that her daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughters all have either been to the store or shopped there throughout the years. "The focus in my heart is that we pray that Katy does well with her recent diagnosis," Severino said. "She has a lot of friends out there." She said that though the store will close, she and all the other longtime customers and employees plan to stay in touch with Balabinis. Balabinis hopes for the same thing.

When asked what has been the most memorable aspect of owning her store through the years, she was quick to answer. "The friendship with my customers," she said. "We do not advertise. It's all word of mouth." Shoppers also are attracted to the prices, which range from $30 to $800, with imported clothing from Canada, New York and California. Balabinis said she continually receives letters and pictures from customers at events where they wore clothes from her store.

As she transitions to retirement, Balabinis hopes to travel and to make clothes for underprivileged children. But the shop will always hold a special place for her. "I always love my store and I still love my store," she said. "It's really a celebration of 50 years and a retirement." Balabinis' nephew, Chris Kouros, said she has been like a second mother to him. "Most people don't work 50 years in the same kind of job," he said.

"This is really all about Katy's life. Nobody is going to do it like her." The Leonard Memorial Home TRUST, TRADITION CARING Traditional Funerals, Cremations, Memorial Services Preplanned Funerals Family owned since 1922 www.leonardmemorialhome.com I 565 Duane St Glen Ellyn 630-469-0032.