Kenneth Harold Urban, 79, of Highwood, and a longtime former resident of Johnsburg, passed away November 12, 2020, at Northwestern Medicine Evanston Hospital. He was born March 28, 1941, in Chicago, to Herbert and Eleanor (Glon) Urban. Ken married Marie Rose Abbinanti on April 21, 1964.
Ken proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965 and was a proud veteran for his country.Ken was an art-loving, saxophone-playing jazz enthusiast, who also had a green thumb. He had a flair for photography and even had one of his photos hanging in the US pentagon. Ken was hard-working and dedicated in to profession of Histology. Of his lasting legacy will be that he was a founding member for the National Society for Histotechnology and the Illinois Society for Histotechnologists. He loved life, his family and friends and an occasional cigar, glass of fine wine or imported beer! He will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his dear children, Michael (Francys) Urban, Cynthia Urban, Ann Marie (Gary) Copp, Janice (Matt Krenger) Urban; his grandchildren, Camille, Kevin, Paula, Daphne; siblings, Gail Platis and Mark Szweda; brother-in-law, Frank Abbinanti; niece, Dana Urban and nephews, Anthony Abbinanti and Jason Wirth.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marie Rose; his brothers, Thomas Urban and Gary Szweda.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted at one of Ken’s favorite Jazz radio stations, WDCB. Use this link, https://wdcb.org/urban On-line condolence messages can also be made on this site.
The Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020 at 9 a.m. with burial at St. John The Baptist Cemetery to follow.
In accordance with public gathering restrictions, attendees are expected to wear a mask and observe social distancing. The funeral home staff will monitor capacity limits. Arrangements were entrusted to Justen Funeral Home & Crematory. For more information, please call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com