Mildred Chewning

Millie Chewning passed away Wednesday, January 2, 2013, surrounded by family and loved ones, on her farm in Marengo, IL at the age of 87.

Millie was born on September 11, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, the eldest daughter of Anthony and Anna Kurr. She married Eldon (Al) Chewning and moved to Illinois in 1954. They eventually settled in Crystal Lake to raise their family. They survived the Palm Sunday tornado of 1965 which demolished their home.

Several months later they opened the Branded Steak House, considered unique at the time for its urban style and open char-broiler. In 1971 they opened the Cloven Hoof Steak House in Marengo, which burned to the ground in 1976, but was promptly rebuilt. Millie and Al operated the newly built restaurant until he passed away in 1983. Soon after, she retired from the restaurant business and spent the remainder of her career providing in-home care for the elderly. Her clients appreciated the wholesome baked treats and tender care she provided.

She loved classical music, opera, theatre and singing in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Choir. She also thoroughly enjoyed world travel, visiting Greece, Europe, Mexico, China, Israel and Poland.

Still Millie's true joy was spending time with her six children, their spouses and twelve grandchildren on The Farm. For the grandkids, Grandma Millie's farm became their playground. She loved hosting Sunday dinner, where both family and friends were welcome; there was always room for another seat at the table. Millie was a health and nutrition advocate before it was fashionable, and fresh vegetables from her abundant garden were often part of the meal.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon (Al) Chewning and son, David A. Chewning

She is survived by her daughters, Ann Henry, Diane (John) McNamara, Claire (Stewart) Brown, Lisa Skala; her son, Glen (Barbara) Chewning; her daughter-in-law Sharon Wolf Chewning; and her twelve grandchildren, Patrick and Kellan McNamara, Lauren and Andrea Henry, Emily (Greg) Chewning Brodsky, Ben and Jessica Chewning, Allison, Andrew and Anna Brown, Ellen Skala and David W. Chewning. Millie is also survived by her sister, best friend and world travel partner, Rosemary Kurr, and her supportive and loving brother, Raymond Kurr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 18 from 4 to 8pm with a Memorial Gathering at 7 pm, Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave (IL Rt 176), Crystal Lake.

Please join us in celebrating Millie's life at the Mass on Saturday, January 19 at 10:30am, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 323 N. Taylor Street, Marengo.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliot St, Detroit, MI 48207-3485, or WTTW Channel 11, 5400 N. Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, wttw.com.

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