David Regner

David J Regner, 82, former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1967-1972), died Tuesday morning at his residence at The Garlands in Barrington. Mr. Regner was diagnosed earlier this year with Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer 40 times more rare than melanoma. Mr. Regner is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Mullen-Regner. Mr. Regner also served as a State Senator from the Third District from 1973 to 1980. He was born in Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a BS in Commerce. He served two years in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Regner had a long history of civic involvement, including service as an auditor of Elk Grove Township and a term as the first vice-president of the Cook County Auditors’ Association, and held local and state offices in the Jaycees. Regner was also deputy committeeman for the Elk Grove Township Republican Organization and a member of the Platform Committee of the Illinois State Republican Committee in 1966, 1968 and 1970, serving as secretary in 1966. In 1980 Regner was chairman of the Illinois Reagan Delegate Committee and a state campaign coordinator for Reagan.

Surviving family members include his wife, Jo Ann Mullen-Regner; grandchildren, Jennifer (Regner)Ryder, David Jason Regner, Anna Gustafson, Nicole and Emma Walsh, and Zachary Stewart; great-grandchildren, Ava, Nathan, Lily and Wyatt Ryder; sisters, Dorothy (Regner) Delphey (Norman), Barbara Regner, and Marie (Regner) Smizinski; and daughter-in-law, Donna Regner.

David was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Scanlan; second wife, Joyce LeFarie; son, David Michael Regner; and parents, Joseph and Catherine Regner (nee Schramm).

Visitation for David will be held Friday, December 20, 2013 from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W Main St (Lake-Cook Rd) Barrington, IL 60010. There will also be a brief visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. the following day, Saturday, December 21 at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made in David’s name to Northwest Community Hospital Foundation at 3060 W. Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights, IL 60005