Loretta M. Battle

Loretta (Lorrie) Marie Jung Battle Lombard – Loretta Battle, age 96, formerly of Evergreen Park, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at Beacon Hill. Loretta was born on December 22, 1919 in Chicago, daughter of the late Peter Arthur Jung and Catherine (Krischel) Jung. Loretta is survived by her loving children Leeanne (Thomas) McGrath of Lisle; Francis Lyman (Bud) (Linda) Battle Jr. of Austin, TX; Barbara (Steve) Cleary of Alsip; Gregory (Alice) Battle of Ingleside; and Elizabeth (Randy) Lovoy of Altoona, FL. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren (Laura, Julie, Kevin, Megan, Maureen, Michael, Erica, Steven, Jacob, Elaine, Garrett, Valerie, Dustin, Danielle) and 21 great-grandchildren (Will, Peter, Claire, Sean, Evan, Andrea, Hope, Kelly, Tommy, Darcy, Riley, Lucas, Jackson Cleary, Hadley, Harper, Patrick, Max, Noah, Tsion, Katelyn and Jackson Cashmore). In addition to her parents, Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, F. Lyman Battle; her brother, Edmund Jung; and sisters Dorothy DuBall and Mary Lahey. Loretta was an excellent cook and hostess. Family Sunday dinners were frequent and excellent. Holidays included all the family, including sons-in-law, daughters-in law and grandkids. Christmas was a magic time that set a standard the family has not been able to match. Loretta was also an accomplished seamstress. As they grew up, her children wore well-tailored handmade clothes. Later in life, granddaughters dressed their dollies in clothes Grandma made--without patterns and with fancy detailing that American Girl dolls would be proud of. Before retirement, Loretta worked in the JC Penny fabric department. She had a passion for fabric. Her hands and eyes would often notice a blouse or sweater worn by visitors. Loretta and her husband were avid card players. Pinochle for pennies was fun, but bridge was the game she and Lyman studied and played. (The first word her grandson, Jacob Battle, learned was “pass.”) She loved nature films and trees, and she valued her monthly subscription to National Geographic. As friends moved away or grew ill, Loretta sought more social contacts. She learned of Beacon Hill (BH), and she and Lyman moved there in 1999. They loved the independence BH provided and the support that was there for them. As health problems began to limit their independence, they took advantage of the healthcare available to them at BH. Funeral mass at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 9525 S. Lawndale Ave., Evergreen Park (708-425-5354), followed by interment at St Mary’s Cemetery, 87th and Hamlin Avenue, Evergreen Park (708-422-8720). For those wishing to send an expression of condolence, Loretta’s family suggests donations in her name be made to the Beacon Hill Employee Appreciation Fund, 2400 S. Finley Road, Lombard, IL 60148 or the Sharing Connection, www.sharingconnections.org.