Lake Park 85 Class Reunion


Forever young... in memory of our classmates who have passed away. We celebrate their lives. Please share your favorite memories of our friends by clicking the link below.
Jim Billon November 1, 1966 to January 29, 2003 After school Jim married his high school sweetheart, Danette (Anderson) and they were happily married for 16 years. His family was everything to him and he devoted all of his time and energy to them. Jim had a genuine love and passion for God and it became the compass in both his marriage and raising his family. In the short time he was with us he instilled so many important qualities in his four children – to love God, to live life to it’s fullest, the importance of family and friends, and to laugh. Anyone who knew Jim knew of his great sense of humor and the pranks he would play on everyone. Jim’s oldest son, Jimmy (17) says:“My dad was the best dad God could have blessed me with. He was always there for me. He made me laugh when I needed to laugh. He was at every practice and game and he made his presence known on the sidelines at football games. I know he’s still watching everything.” Jim’s oldest daughter, Ashley (16) says:“The thing I remember most about my dad was not only the influence he had on me, but on the people around me. He had a way of bringing out the best in people. He taught me and my brothers and sister so much about life, the most important being living a life pleasing to God. He always told us to put our hope in God no matter how hard things got. This is something I feel blessed to know. Without God by my side I wouldn’t have made it this far. I love my dad so much and I feel so fortunate to have had him in my life for the time that I did.” And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5: 2-5) Jim’s youngest son, Jacob (14) says:“My dad was a supporter and a teacher because whenever someone was struggling with family problems like drugs or sports or whatever, it was my dad who would always help them get over whatever the problem was and help them move on in life. And, he would always talk to them about God and how you could go to Him in any bad situation and how God will always be there for you and so will he.” Jim’s youngest daughter, Danette Marie (9) says:“My dad was the best dad ever because me and him used to spend time together singing about God. He always made me laugh and hugged me tight. I remember he liked to wake me up early when he was home by jumping on my bed. I miss him very much and I’ll always love him.” People who knew Jim knew him to be full of life. He loved music and he wasn’t shy about belting out a few tunes for anyone who would listen. Jim loved to make people laugh. Laughter was a huge part of everyday life at the Billon house. He was one of those rare individuals that everyone loved to be around, the life of the party. Jim also enjoyed to hunt and fish. He really liked bow hunting and every year he would tell his friends and family about the huge deer that somehow got away from him or how his newest fishing lure was going to catch a big one but, usually never did. Jim and Danette moved out to Belvidere, Illinois in search of a quiet place to raise their family in 1994. Jim worked in the construction industry as an Operating Engineer for the last 15 years of his life. His life ended after a 48-hour fight with the strep virus, which entered his blood and kidneys and rapidly infected his whole body. His body went into septic shock, which caused all his organs to shut down and on January 29th, 2003 he went home to be with the Lord. Needless to say there is and always will be a huge void in all our lives.
Debra Evans November 16, 1995 After high school, Debra became a stay at home Mom with her lovely daughter Samantha born in 1985. In 1988, her first son, Joshua, was born and was followed by two more sons, Jordan and Elijah. She lived in and around the Lake Park area (Roselle, Bartlett and Addison) most of her short life. She was a loving daughter and mother, and great friend. She always had a bright spirit and was fun to be with. She loved to go out dancing and loved music. Her life and that of Samantha’s and Joshua’s were taken tragically, but we will always remember her warm smile and loving nature.
Joe Imbordino December 7, 1966 to January 28, 1996 After graduating Lake Park, Joe followed his passion and went to chef school at Washburn Trade. Joe loved the restaurant scene and wanted to be a great chef someday. While in school, he worked as a waiter. For a long time, he worked at Baystreet in Schaumburg. He was as bright and bubbly of a waiter as he was during our high school days. He continued to make friends wherever he went and was always up for fun. Joe contracted the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and eventually lost his battle with the disease. Joe never married or had children. As a spirit leader of our class, he has been, and will continue to be missed!
Mike Kay November 25th, 1967 to December 24, 2004 After graduating from Lake Park, Michael went to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb for one year. He then went into the cellular phone business with a fellow LP graduate before being hired by IBM's Rome phone division in Rolling Meadows. He worked for IBM for a few years and was given the opportunity to go to school in California for additional training. He then moved to Houston, Texas and went to work for Houston Power and Light. His job relocated him in the South several times, until he was able to put more permanent roots down with Norstan for the past 5 years. In this job, Michael was the permanent tech on site at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. Mike had a beautiful townhouse on the golf course and liked to golf. He was also a big NASCAR fan. He had a sports car he drove on Fan Practice Lap Day at the Bristol Race Way. In the summer, he would jet ski with his friends in the bay. His one passion was playing the Options in the Stock Market, and he did very well at it! Michael, also had a very compassionate side and helped many people out. His mother, Pat, and father, Terry, retired and moved down to Florida to be near their only child, Michael. Right after Mike's parents relocated to Florida, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodkins Lymphoma. Norstan granted him a leave of absence because of the chemo treatments. Hoping to find a cure, they went to the MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, but Michael's cancer had mutated into something they have only seen in 20 or so cases. The doctors tried some new treatments, but on December 24th at 6 a.m. about one year after being diagnosed, Michael passed away. As Michael's parents walked out of the hospital, it began to snow in Pensacola. They knew then that Michael was being taken care of and the suffering was over. Mike never married and had no children.
Mary Pat Madden (Greishaber) September 1, 1967 to August 5, 2002 Following graduation from Lake Park, Mary Pat attended Illinois State University and graduated May, 1990 Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. She then became a teacher for the hearing impaired in West Aurora School District #129 until February 2002, when she took a medical leave of absence for a bone marrow transplant due to aplastic anemia. Mary Pat married Keith Grieshaber on December 26, 1992, whom she first met while attending Peacock Jr. High School. In 1994, Mary Pat and Keith built a new home in Elburn, IL, where they enjoyed their Newfoundlands, Goober and Rigley, as well as their cats, Scoots and Spanky. She loved James Taylor, toiling in her garden, and long walks.

This list is comprised of those that the commitee has been alerted to. If you know of anyone else that is no longer with us, please contact us.

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