Newspaper Clippings for
June, 2003
from the Daily Herald 18 June 2003
Piecing together a little bit of history
By Kate Grusich
Broken artifacts and clothing spoiled by radiator water
littered the floor of one of Lake County's oldest buildings
some 18 months ago.
The corner of the structure was a gaping hole. Shattered
heirlooms, such as antique dolls, a mercury vase and poor
man's silver, were a lost, irreplaceable cause.
After months of restoration work, however, antique lovers
can finally stroll the aisles again at Martin's General
Store Museum on Route 45 in Millburn.
"It took nearly two years to put it all back together
again," said Dorothy Fettinger of the Historic Millburn
Community Association, which owns and operates the site.
"It looks very nice now. We still have some boxes on the
floor, and we're still busy trying to put everything out
for display so it can all be enjoyed again."
The museum reopened to the public Sunday. Until more
volunteers can be rounded up, the store will maintain only
Sunday hours through the remainder of the summer.
Back in December 2001, a car crashed into the museum,
causing extensive structural and interior damage. The
accident happened when a motorist, heading east on Grass
Lake Road, crossed Route 45 and hit a corner of the
building.
The driver, an 18-year-old Lake Villa man, was later
charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and
improper lane usage. Nobody was in the store at the time,
but the driver and a passenger were injured.
Since then, volunteers have spent their free time cleaning
artifacts and rearranging showcases. While they hoped to
reopen last summer, the process of getting appraisals and
scanning inventory lists was just too much. In addition,
because many items were historical artifacts donated by
area families, full restoration was extremely difficult.
However, Fettinger said donors were once again generous,
stocking the shelves with family antiques and heirlooms.
Also, some items were fortunately not harmed in the crash.
Museum visitors will still discover old-fashioned wedding
dresses, even some in black, on display. An old baseball
uniform, horse saddles and the coat a doctor wore on his
rounds at the turn of the 20th century can also be found.
Other less precious items such as crystal glassware,
silver, watches and clocks, are for sale.
"We were lucky because we did get some wonderful things
donated," Fettinger said. "We need more beautiful things to
put on the shelves."
Martin's General Store opened in 1887 and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. It was bult in 1862
by Richard Pantall and served for years as the Millburn
post office. After some time, Edward Martin, a young orphan
reared by the Pantall family, took over the business. In
1985, Martin's son, Richard, willed the building to the
historic association, with the request it be used as a
museum.
The store at 38757 Route 45 is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
every Sunday.
loose clipping, source unknown 22 June 2003
Verna M. Holem (Kufalk)
Age 71 of Lake Villa, went home to be with the Lord on June
22, 2003. She passed away peacefully at home with family
and friends at her side. She bravely fought cancer for five
and a half years. She was a registered nurse and director
of nurses at Condell Hospital for several years.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Don; her four
children, David (Mary) Holem of Spring Grove, Michael
(Colleen) Holem of Wilmington, Nancy (Kim) McKeen of
Chilton, Wis. and Janet (Mike) Koenig of Antioch; 12
grandchildren; her mother, Ida Kufalk of Libertyville; one
brother as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded
in death by her father, Roy Kufalk in 1977.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., June 25, at Faith
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Antioch. Interment was in
Millburn Cemetery in Millburn. Friends called at the Strang
Funeral Home of Antioch from 4-8 p.m. and at the church
June 25 from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Those
desiring may make contributions to the Faith Evangelical
Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1275 Main St., Antioch, IL
60002 or to Hospice of Condell Hospital, 115 W Church St.,
Libertyville, IL 60048, in her memory.
from the Lake Villa - Lindenhurst Review 26 June 2003
Verna M. Holem
Verna M. (nee Kufalk) Holem, 71, of Lake Villa, died June
22 at home with family and friends at her side. She bravely
fought cancer for over five years.
She was born Nov. 20, 1931 in Waukegan, the daughter of Roy
and Ida (nee Runyard) Kufalk. She married Don Holem at the
United Methodist Church in Antioch. She was a registered
nurse and Director of Nurses at Condell Hospital for
several years. She then worked in research at Abbott
Laboratories and after retiring became a private consultant
until her final retirement four years ago. Verna spent her
life doing for others, taking care of her wonderful family
and being a great friend to all.
Mrs. Holem was preceded in death by her father, Roy Kufalk
in 1977.
Mrs. Holem is survived by her husband of 50 years, Don; two
sons, David (Mary) Holem of Spring Grove and Michael
(Colleen) Holem of Wilmington; two daughters, Nancy (Kim)
McKeen of Chilton, Wis., and Janet (Mike) Koenig of
Antioch; 12 grandchildren; her mother, Ida Kufalk of
Libertyville; one brother, Robert (Bev) Kufalk of Byron, as
well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 25 at Faith Evangelical
Lutheran Church, 1275 Main St., Antioch with interment in
Millburn Cemetery, Millburn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Evangelical
Lutheran Church Building Fund, 1275 Main St., Antioch
60002, or to Hospice of Condell Hospital, 115 W. Church
St., Libertyville 60048 in her memory.
